The pleasantries were interrupted with the appearance of another guest, whom was probably Memora. Putting on another warm, charming smile, Corrin stood up and glided across the floor towards her. Bowing slightly and offering his hand palm up he offered her greetings. If Memora placed her hand on his, he would give it a romantic kiss as he did to Sign's earlier. "Greetings and welcome to the Wanderlust. My name is Corrin and I am here to serve your passions. Please, won't you join us, and tell us what we can do to further make your stay Wanderous?" Corrin said with playful turn-of-phrase.

Cynthia turned to Sign as Corrin went to greet Memora. "I also always have a very full schedule," she confided to the other woman, in solidarity between administrative programs. She then made motions to stand up. "It looks like once again it seems that nothing will get done correctly unless we personally see to it ourselves. This voice seems most displeased that everyone has not gathered here. I suggest we go looking for them. Your eyes will be most helpful since you know who they are. Your presence will also hasten their steps. Please do not worry about anything further here. You can leave your companions in the very capable hands of my companions." Cynthia attempted to reason Sign out of her chair and lightly push/lead her out of the room.

---

Mara placed her hand next to her mouth and let out a sing-song laugh at the absurdity of the situation she had found herself in. "Oh, ho, ho, ho. This is quite the delight!" she decried. "As you can see, nothing is ever boring here on the Wanderlust." She waved her hand in a fanning manner as she tried to calm herself. Noting the name of their supposed stowaway/caterer. "You'll have to forgive Takeout, she is such a card. Now don't you fret my friends, Mama Mara will fix this problem in a jiffy," Mara assured, trying to sound like this wasn't a mission-threatening problem. "Nikki, if you'll please assist me," she said as she headed towards the back where the food storage should be. "Of course Mara," Nikki agreed, patting MerchMan's arm in a comforting, 'just a moment' manner. "Don't go anywhere," Nikki smiled as she gracefully left his arm and glided across the kitchen toward the back.

As they glided away, they attempted to grab hold of the young woman on her phone and escort her to the back. "Come along now Takeout my friend, we have things to discuss in the back." Assuming they managed to get Takeout out of the kitchen and somewhere where their voices wouldn't carry, they would confront her. "Nikki, please check on the stores and see if you can whip something up. Also contact our employers and get further directions," Mara seethed through her smiling teeth. Nikki nodded, face dawning a serious expression. "Got it," she said as she headed toward where she thought food storage would be.

"So," Mara began her talk with Takeout, "Am I to understand that Tango hasn't paid you yet for the food listed on the menu? First, I would like to apologize for this lack of decorum on the actions of my employer. Clearly this is an oversight that we would like to correct. How would you like to handle the charges so that we can get back to work?" she asked. "We have many hungry mouths to feed and I would like to get started right away. I would also like to see your menu to see if we can get more variety in their diet if that is okay with you."

Meanwhile, Nikki was raiding the pantry, if the ship had one. At the same time she was trying to send out two messages. One of those messages were to Tango, if she could reach their host. They didn't really exchange contact information before parting, so perhaps she could perform some NET magic on that end. And the second message was to Yasu, giving them a log update on what has happened thus far within the mission. The message to Yasu also included the problem they were having with the catering situation and as to whether they could provide any help in that regard at such short notice. In the meantime, Suzume and Aya would do what they could to salvage the situation, and keep their guests happy as best as they could.

Assuming she found anything in the pantry, she would begin to cart it up to the kitchen in as many trips as she needed, and Mara and Nikki would get started on preparing food. Hopefully they had convinced Takeout to bring out her food offerings to at least tide over the rumbling tummies of their guests in the kitchen while they worked on more substantial fare. Mara and Nikki would also continue to tease the three guests with small talk and the occasional taste sample of what they were cooking to keep them engaged. "So tell us all about yourselves, how did you get into your businesses? Those must be quite the stories," Mara asked MerchMan, Raptor, and TribalMan in turn while she worked.

---

Assuming that Cynthia managed to get Sign out of the main meeting hall to search the ship for the remainder of their guests, she would start making small talk as they searched the ship for the missing passengers. "When I get a moment to myself as tasks are processing in the background, I read books. I am amazed at the infinite myriad worlds that others have created for me to explore and to contemplate. Do you perchance have had time to read something for yourself lately? If not, then perhaps I could provide you with some literature to enjoy while you relax here. I am sure you deserve a nice break after they have all gathered together and are stuck in their meeting," she offered.

---

Turning on the charm seemed to work, as MerchMan took the offered honey and Sign was thrown for a stuttering loop. Beyond the honeyed words, Mara and Nikki used their .GMO enhanced cleavage and practiced little movements to make it more prominent to one's gaze, further ensnaring MerchMan under their spell. Watching them, one had to wonder how much experience they had in the art of seduction. Corrin and Cynthia weren't as successful on Sign, coming at her with two different strategies, but they did cause her to be distracted. They also got her to talk about who else was on the cruise liner. Though unfortunately there were no names given.

Lynn moved after MerchMan, Mara, and Nikki, while ushering Sign, Corrin, and Cynthia into the main hall proper. Mara and Nikki were the first to catch sign that their job was going to be a lot harder than they expected, as MerchMan pointed out a piece of paper stating very blase fare. The sisters gave each other a glancing look of concern, before putting back on their act and joining MerchMan in mirthful laughter. But before they could go to the kitchen to fix this problem, several other passengers introduced themselves. An elderly gent who they guessed was ChronicleMan, a spry firecracker named Raptor, and a mountain named TribalMan. Mara and Nikki squeezed MerchMan a little harder as they had to fight their battle urges upon seeing the last two. Hopefully it was taken by MerchMan another way, such as that they might have been dainty women who were frightened of the big, bad people, and were clinging to MerchMan for support.

Most of the talk of visiting the kitchen finally came to a head when Lynn asked Mara and Nikki to take a look. Assuming MerchMan was still raring to head to the kitchen, the twins would lead him there. They would probably have to improvise upon reaching the kitchen and seeing what was going on there. Hopefully there were some fruits lying around for their emperor treatment. Meanwhile, Corrin and Cynthia stayed with Lynn in order to back her up if needed. Though she seemed to have everything in hand at the present moment.

---

"I have been meaning to ask darling," Mara began as they headed toward the kitchen, their HUD glasses mapping out the ship for everyone to see. "But I noticed your lovely little collection here, and was wondering all about it," Mara asked MerchMan as she ran a finger across his chest, indicating his various wearable merchandise. "Yeah," Nikki continued, also tracing a finger on his chest from the other side. "It seems familiar somehow. Perhaps we saw these on the vids or something."

---

Quickly getting into character, the four other servants bowed as Lyntael introduced them. Keen eyes and ears tried to soak up as much information about the guests as they could, while also trying to play at discretion. Of particular interest were MerchMan's accessories and attitude. He seemed like he would be profiting from the Neo-Shogunate's rise. Why would he be in a group opposing the NS?

Lynn's opening dialogue was masterfully done. Nikki and Mara glanced at each other for a moment and nodded in silent appreciation at the young woman's diplomatic skills. They both then grinned and turned to MerchMan and sashayed up on both sides, attempting to wrap their hands around his arms. "As they say, we are here to fill your every desire," Mara began as the sisters pressed their modified, more ample cleavage into him. "What would please you right now? A massage perhaps? You do look tense, doesn't he Nikki?" she asked her sister.

"He does indeed Mara," Nikki purred. They were definitely showing a different side to Lynn than they were earlier. Who knew that the violent, psychopathic warriors had so much practice with seduction? "Or perhaps some wine and fresh fruits fed to you directly by beautiful ladies while you recline like an Emperor?" she suggested. Assuming that MerchMan took them up on any of their offers, or one of his own, the sisters would follow along.

As the twins attempted to pull the man away from his retainer and indulge him in some vices, Corrin and Cynthia swept forward to deal with Sign. Corrin tried to take one or both of Sign's hands in his own before leaning over to give them a gentlemanly kiss. "Welcome Mademoiselle, how can we serve you this fine day?" he asked. Then he clicked his tongue and shook his head "Tsk, tsk. No, no this won't do. You look quite tense. Perhaps I can interest you in a massage. Some wine perhaps?" he asked. Meanwhile, Cynthia would attempted to catch Sign's clipboard if Corrin managed to slide it out of her hands. Cynthia would produce her own clipboard and long-feathered quill, placing her own clipboard over Sign's own if they succeeded. If Sign clutched her clipboard tightly and was not distracted by Corrin's suave movements, Cynthia would continue her next actions regardless.

"How many should we be expecting to attend your soiree today? I was not given an exact number by Tango and I would like to be precise," Cynthia explained, quill pressed to the page. Hopefully, she could form a bond with Sign over their less-than-ideal employers, and their own impeccable work ethic. "While aboard please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or problems. I will handle them for you, so that you may enjoy your trip in relative bliss. Your relaxation is very important to us," Cynthia ended. And by the way that Sign was acting, it was probably important to the success of the mission to distract her as much as they could.

---

Aya quickly stepped back as electricity flowed out of Lyntael in response to the knife threat. "Ooh, nice," Aya admired. "I bet that is how you really dealt with the pirates. You didn't have to play coy with us you know." She then stepped forward again to really analyze Lyn's wrists and ankles with her hawkish eyes. Her curiosity on anything that can be weaponized was insatiable.

Suzume stepped in again to pulled Aya back. "Enough Aya! You have traumatized the girl enough. Apologize!" Aya just shrugged her sister off. "Fine. I'm sorry," she said without much conviction. She then smirked, "Sorry that I'm going to bug her until I learn all I can. And then teach her how to wield her powers to smite all of her enemies! Hahahaha!" she cackled.

DragonierMan turned around as Lyn got dressed. The others looked away and/or blocked Tango's vision. When Lyn turned around, the others gave her a looking over, then continued to look each other over. These were whole new looks after all, and they needed to memorize how everyone looked. Once they were all satisfied, they continued with the names.

"I'll go with Mara. It reminds me of when I went as Mullonde that one mission," Suzu explained. "Amy is too close to Aya. I'll go with Nikki," Aya stated. "Cynthia is fine," Magistrate nodded. "Guess I'll go with Corrin," Drago affirmed.

Magi made an adjustment to her shades and the HUD updated the list of names. Magi then turned to Lyn. "I did not include the ability to see through another pair, just locational data." She sighed. "Yes, that would mean that the map will update for all of us when any of us move anywhere in the ship. And yes, we would know if anyone is in a location that would be... indiscreet. But, we will not be privy to the actual acts committed." She then looked to Drago, Suzu, and Aya as if to indicate their tendency to be... indiscreet.

---

As Lyntael sputtered about the knife, Aya drew another knife from under her cloak, and gave it a little flourish. Just how many knives did the small woman have anyways? "If you need practice, we can teach you," she offered. She then balanced the point of the blade on one finger, the hilt pointed towards the ceiling. She then tossed it above her, stepped forward, and reached around to catch the spinning blade behind her back. Her catching arm then lashed out from behind her like a serpent and stopped in front of Lyntael's nose, before pulling back. "You wouldn't be the first to get lessons from us," she boasted before stepping back.

Suzume's smile faltered for a moment before she punched Aya in the arm. "Aya, I told you to stop scaring her!" Aya just winced a little, sheathed her weapon somewhere under her cloak, and used the free hand to rub her hot shoulder. Suzu tried to bring her smile back as Lyn began to strap the offered belt knife to her own leg. "Hopefully you won't need it, but better safe than sorry."

The group grew silent as Lyn began designing their uniforms. Listening to her go through her thought processes. Also mentally noting the name drop of Clipper the pirate, and more about Jack from earlier. Also, Lyn had problems with .GMOs not working on her body, just the clothes. There was probably some hard lock on her core that prevented that level of changes.

They all then looked at Drago's face when Lyn made an observation about hair and eye color. His hair was already a dark gray, which was close enough to black, so changing it to white could work. Changing his eyes to blue also wouldn't be too hard. Though they all wondered why Lyn was against green or hazel? Probably something to do with color balance that their fashion-impaired minds wouldn't understand. They would just nod along with it.

When Lyn was finished, she gave the designs over to Magistrate for approval. The administration program-turned warrior gave them a good, long look over. After a few minutes of staring at the pad she looked up and nodded. "These are acceptable," she said. "I will make the final changes. One moment." She brought up a vid-window next to her and sent the data into it. Then began typing on a digital keyboard.

Silhouetted models of the four, one male and three females, appeared on the screen. They began to spin slowly as the various costume articles were attached. Their models also began to fluctuate, as Magi increased Suzu and Aya's height to be closer to her own. Then their faces popped up on screen. Magi began altering their facial features so they wouldn't look anything like their original forms. They morphed from clearly Netopian, to clearly Electopian, almost stereotypically so.

Drago's hair went fluffy white, and he grew a beard. His eyes also changed to a twinkling blue. He almost looked like an Electopian Santa. Magi's hair went fully black and curly, with crystal blue eyes that looked almost faceted. Suzu's and Aya's hair became short and straight, turned black, and then gained frosted tips and streaks. Suzu's was green, while Aya's was red. Their eyes had also changed to the same color. They still looked like twins to some extent, but they were now exotic Electopian ones, which hopefully would be enough to hide their true identities. All had stylish tinted glasses that went with the individual outfits' color-scheme.

Magi also materialized a pair of glasses for Lyn to go with her outfit and handed it to her. Lyn would quickly find, if she put them on, that they contained a digital HUD that turned on when she put them on. Besides displaying a list of their names on the side, it was quickly drawing a map of their surroundings in one corner of her vision and placing icons on everyone in the room. As Magi began to distribute the altered .GMOs and the others began changing, which didn't require them to remove their clothes as they just shimmered into their new disguises, the list of names began to light up and connect to each other. Next to the list was a set of spacial coordinates and the number of the suite they were all standing in. Probably as they moved around the ship, they would be mapping it, and be able to keep visual track of where each person was located.

"Looks like everything is online and working," Magi stated with a satisfied smirk as everyone was getting used to their new bodies. Her voice was even modulated to sound more Electopian. It wouldn't be surprising if the others put on an accent as well. "I suggest that we also change our names while in these forms. What do you suggest?" Magi asked Lyn.

---

Aya sighed in understanding as Lyntael explained how she dealt with the pirates before. "Figures," she said. Suzume smiled and DragonierMan continued to nod, satisfied about Lyn's diplomacy skills. Though at her concern about the hands-on nature with the guests and staff, Aya drew a dagger from under her cloak, quick as a flash, and tossed it onto the bed next to Lyn. It did a tiny bounce on the bed before settling near the small girl in a skirt. A belted sheath with straps followed shortly thereafter. "Wear this," Aya suggested.

"Aya, I don't think they want us stabbing the other guests," Suzu admonished, but didn't move to pick up the weapon or sheath. Even though she didn't agree with Aya's directness, she wasn't really against Lyn protecting herself. Suzu's cloak parted a little and one of her legs stood out, she was wearing tight, light gray pants, with its own belt sheathed dagger wrapped around it. "You should wear it on your leg somewhere where you can conceal it," she suggested. "Under a long dress or cloak, something like that."

Tango, meanwhile, danced up to Magistrate, who waved away the offered hand. "I am an administrative program first and foremost," she replied, a little hautily. "I am fine with making sure that this cruise works like a well oiled machine, but I will not dance." Magi then turned to Lyn as she suggested that she could work on making clothes for them using the blank .GMOs made available by Tango. "If you need any help on the disguises, especially body modification, I can assist you," she offered.

Drago shook his head at Lyn. "Yes, I do tend to cover my face," he said, before he realized he didn't have his helmet on and his face was very much visible. "Er. Um. Well, actually I guess I do with my helmet. In battle. But I tend to have it open or off during most missions as they tend to be... diplomatic in nature. People are more open when you show your face to them," he clarified. His averagely handsome, lightly stubbled, Netopian face probably served him well in that regard.

Drago turned to Tango. "So we are all staff then. I'm guessing we will be serving the BOC with trays of hors d'oeuvres and wine glasses." At least that could assuage the idea that him and Lyn would have to act as a couple, as it seemed from the briefing. He then turned to Lyn. "Don't go overboard on the design of our uniforms, with unique colors and stuff. The more we all look like the standard, run-of-the-mill, nondescript, professional host the better. We want to be relatively invisible, so we can overhear whatever they are saying without drawing attention to ourselves. Masks might be okay, as long as they are thematic to the cruise and we all wear them. Though just in case of the mask coming off somehow, we should not look like who we really are underneath. Just in case," he suggested.

---

Thank you both for your patronage. Have a good day and come again if anything sparks your interest in the future.

-- Destin Obscura

"Where I go, they follow," DragonierMan replied to Tango's exclamation, indicating his three fellow cloak-clad warriors. "This should tell you how much the Empire cares about the situation," he added, looking between Tango and Lyntael. "Not only are we here to safeguard our charge while we scout out some of our competition, but we are here to show you, Tango, that the Neo-Shogunate is your friend and will protect you and your property as well." He smiled a toothy smile, trying to put Tango and Lyntael at ease, and possibly failing. "So rest easy friends."

And rest easy they did, as Tango and Lyn apparently began to dance with each other. Aya perked up at the mention of Lyntael dealing with pirates the last time she was around. "Oh? I guess I was wrong about you. Guess you are stronger than you look," she remarked to Lyn. Suzume smiled, glad that they were getting along.

Drago nodded, then spoke directly to Lyn as she looped by. "We definitely need many people, from many different backgrounds, to help us. Just because we are fighters, doesn't mean everyone has to be. In fact, we need more peacemongers than ever before if we are to have a stable Net. Hopefully, you'll fit the bill." Aya scowled slightly at the mention of peace, but she didn't say anything further. Clearly she was more in the 'solve things with violence' camp.

With everyone introduced, the briefing began. Immediately several things came to their attention: 1) Someone named ChronicleMan was affiliated with the Business Owner's Coalition, possibly its organizer or leader. 2) The NS abducted one of Tango's former crew members, Jack, in the previous encounter that Lyn had with Tango. Given Drago's own past of pressganging people into the faction, he couldn't really blame whomever did it. 3) That Tango was working all sides, like a neutral businessperson could, double-agent or no. And 4) they needed to be in disguise and charming during the mission.

At the mention of staffing the ship in disguise, Magistrate opened her eyes and spoke for the first time. Like the rest of her companions, she had a West-Netopian accent. Unlike the rest of her companions, it was clear and business-like. It didn't have the same light-growl that the other three had. "I assume that you will provide us with the proper outfits?" she questioned slowly and clearly, with poised enunciation. "We do not normally wear disguises. And I most certainly do not 'charm the pants off others'."

Suzu and Aya snorted out a chuckle at those last words from Magi. "You can say that again," Aya muttered as the twins tried to settle down after that deathly hilarious joke. Magi glared daggers at the two of them. Drago, meanwhile, was swept up in dancing with Tango.

---

Quote

Ooh, a YoYo2 would be pretty sweet to have. How about, uh...3600z for it? That seems pretty fair.

- Sabrina Jetto
ATTACHMENT: 3600z

I accept your proposal. -- Destin Obscura

Attached: Yo-Yo2Damage: 50 x 2-3 + Slashing
Accuracy: C
Description: Yo-yo hits up to three enemies, two twice and one three times at max, and blocks frontal projectile attacks. User is immobile during usage and lowers their dodge for the turn. This chip counts as a Sword Chip.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Yo-Yo can be destroyed by Break attacks with 40 or greater power.
Special: If two yo-yos collide with each other, both are destroyed at the same time.
Trader Rank: C.

Quote

Hey there. I’m working on getting a portfolio of object chips together, and I couldn’t help but notice that you’ve got a Timpani chip for sale. 3600z seems like a fair price.

-Suien

*attached: 3600z

I accept your proposal. -- Destin Obscura

Attached: TimpaniHP: 50
Properties: Heavy
Object Damage: 50 + Impact
Damage Method: Throw, Telekinesis
Status Effect: Hold + To-All-Clause(Enemies)
Accuracy: S
Description: Stops all enemies from moving with a powerful sonic wave.
Duration: 1 turn or until destroyed.
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C.