[D3, LA] Got Brass Orchid in Pocket

[Uri-el]

Not one for disguises, nor usually for subtlety, Uri-el had been ensnared by circumstance. So, hungry for information, he found himself wending his way high above the city to find the meeting spot. Finally, he dropped out of the sky at what felt to him like a painfully slow rate, and began to walk toward Broa Tower, taking his time to try to spot any danger where it may hide itself.

Broa Tower Approach Perception Check | 1d20+7 ⇒ 24

[Dapper Dog]

The building had security, automated and personnel, but nothing that screamed this is an ambush and he was going to die. As he reached the ground the portal he saw earlier with Zara opened and out came the Elite. She said, “Good, you made it. I’ll be in a more official capacity as Street Witch, so don't be alarmed if they use that.”

“Is Uri-el fine or do you prefer something else for business?”

[Uri-el]

"Uri-el will suffice." He looked up at the building. "What are you hoping to achieve, here?"

[Dapper Dog]

"Uri-el will suffice." He looked up at the building. "What are you hoping to achieve, here?"

“Okay, Uri-el it is. As for what I want to get done here, I want to find out what connection they have to the attack on the boba tea place. I got some tea, that it may have been a snatch and grab operation. And if we decide to retaliate, that Brass Orchid does not stand in our way or get caught in the crossfire,” she admitted.

“Make sure to bow when we get up there, and accept the tea, it’s a sign of hospitality and accepting their protection as the host.”

[Uri-el]

That seemed like a good way to get drugged to Malik, but it seemed that all parties needed information, and the best way to get it was to play along.

"I shall be the soul of politeness, though the situation does make me feel uneasy." It was best, at times, to lead with the truth. "Do you suppose that I shall need my translator, or will Arabic get us as far as we need to go?"

[Dapper Dog]

“I am expecting that Chinese or English should work, but if you need me to, I can translate,” she offered. She started walking to the door, “Just be cool, and everything should go fine.”

[Uri-el]

Uri-el followed along with a simple nod, placing himself very much in her hands.

[Dapper Dog]

The tower was home to several business, but they were directed to where to go and took the elevator up. Once they stepped out they were in a clean non descri[pt office bereft of logos or identifying materials. A receptionist greeted them and directed them to a large office where they had built a koi pound and made it look like a garden slash meditation room.


They were led to a platform overlooking the garden with chairs setup once they were situated an old woman with graying hair entered followed by a woman in red. Several guards fanned out across the room and watched the duo.

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When the old woman arrived at the platform, Street Witch bowed and then all took their seat.

The old woman said, “Street-Witch, Uri-el; I am honored to have you in my garden. Will you join me for tea?”

[Uri-el]

Uri-el returned the bow as requested. Bowing wasn't a big thing in Egypt, and certainly not from the waist, but the principle seemed to make a certain sense.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Madam. Your generosity is a blessing to us both," he said by way of acceptance.

[Dapper Dog]

The old woman gestured for the crimson woman and said in Chinese, “Crimson, pour us the tea. Watch for any messenger bees as well.”

She then said in English as the tea was poured, “I am Madame Wen, I speak for the Brass Orchid in Mudaba Adin. before we get to your request, Street Witch, I want to ask the UNJE why they are sticking their nose into our business.”

She puts a photo down of Frankie on the table between them and said, “We are told this is an Elite named Frankie Reynes. She recently caused an incident at one of our businesses. Explain to me, why.”

[Uri-el]

Malik looked down at the photograph.

"Which Frankie Reynes?" He asked at length. "I suppose it does not matter. I cannot vouch for either one. It is as likely that she imagined something like sea bream from the sixth dimension making daisy-chains in the same location as your business as that she was actually following a lead. Indeed, I expect that neither Frankie is familiar with your august self or your interests. They are tragically unstable, and the UNJE is merely using them to profit from the views on the socials."

[Dapper Dog]

Green tea was put before Uri-el and Street Witch. She responded, “Unstable or not she is costing us profits, and it seems only right that amends be made. What are you prepared to offer to make this matter right?”

She said in Chinese to Crimson, “How much business was lost?”

Crimson replied in kind, “About three hundred thousand.”

“Madame Wen continued in English, $500,000 USD was lost in business and time,” she responded. “By blood or by coin, the debt must be repaid.”

Meanwhile Street Witch sipped her tea.

[Uri-el]

Uri-el raised an eyebrow. He was a Coptic Alexandrian--he knew a shakedown when he saw one. "Very well. You may seek your recompense from the UNJE at your convenience. I presume you have an invoice that itemizes your losses? I would be pleased to deliver it to the organization at the end of our meeting." He considered for a moment. "Of course, it is only right, given the courtesy that you have demonstrated, that I warn you that you may face a counterclaim relating to the damages incurred during the activities of Iron Mosha. Buildings can be expensive."

He looked down at his nails. "So you are aggrieved and the UNJE is aggrieved, but you and I and Street Witch remain sympathique." He looked over at Street Witch. "Shall we turn to the business at hand?"

[Dapper Dog]

Madame Wen considered the response and seemed happy enough, the message was sent. Sometimes that was all that was needed. She turned her gaze to Street Witch and said, “Now that we have an understanding, what is your request, Street Witch?”


Street Witch put down her tea after taking a sip and said, “The business with Steel Mosha and the attack on the students at the waterfront. They are related, I’m not sayin’ that your business is involved but you may have inadvertently chosen a side in a larger conflict. So we are just trying to get the source behind the attack.”

“We want to play nice in your backyard, so we humbly request this as a courtesy. We don’t want your business or assets caught between us and the real target. I have an understanding with the UNJE,” she said, gesturing to Uri-el and continued, “we both want the same thing, and just need your buy-in.”

Madame Wen said, “And do you bring a suitable Tribute?”

Street Witch replied by pulling out a small USB drive and saying, “1.2 million in crypto currency.”


Crimson moved forward to take the drive but Street Witch denied her and added, “I want a name and information.” Only then did she hand over the drive.

Madame Wen said, “Crimson will verify the transaction, when suitably satisfied we will conclude this matter.” She turned her gaze to Uri-el as she sipped her tea and said, “You are a long way from Alexandria, angelic one. I hope your righteous fury will not become a problem for my business ventures.”

[Uri-el]

One could never be quite certain who would or would not respond to the image, and what they would require of it. The part of Malik that was Uri-el cried out to send a message to this woman about the need to repent. That part that was Malik wrestled that down and gave a much more acceptable reply.

"Fury? No, Sayyidah, nothing of the kind. If a person truly wished to cleanse and make holy even such a city as Mudaba Adin, it would mean a lifetime of struggle. How much more if everywhere he went, he looked first to the sword? God keeps Vengeance as God's special province, and it is folly for mortals to reach for what does not belong to them."

He blinked slowly, keeping the slight deviation from true eye contact that defined Egyptian polite address.

[Dapper Dog]

Crimson seemed satisfied with the tribute and whispered in the old woman's ear.


She kept a long steady gaze on him and then sipped her tea some more enjoying the flavor. Long moments passed in silence before she said, “Nuani Kagumbo, daughter of the late great President of the now defunct DCP, or so she claims. Her money has been good, so we do not ask questions. She does not operate out of the city, we suspect she may have a mobile station, a yacht of some sort or large ocean going vessel.”

“If you seek to stir a hornet’s nest then continue, she is the leader of Mokele Mbembe and they have extensive weapons, soldiers, and technology on their side. Brass Orchid will not involve ourselves any further, bad for business.”

She finished with, “We could offer more, but we would need an assurance this Frankie is dealt with and not involve themselves in our business; bring her before me, prostrate herself and beg for our forgiveness.”

[Uri-el]

"Frankie may choose to do that, Sayyidah." ...but it sounds like the fourth impossibility to me. "I suppose that we may need to keep in touch, so that the UNJE can keep you apprised of the status of your claims."

[Dapper Dog]

"Our business is concluded," she said to the two Elites. They were escorted out by two bodyguard enforcers.


Once back down in the lobby Street Witch let out a deep sigh and said, "Well we got a name, and no one got killed."

[Uri-el]

"Thus far," he replied. "I am not sure that I expect that to continue. She has some unreasonable expectations, and there is a yacht full of military-grade weaponry to consider, putting aside this Gibson business." He let that one dangle, curious to see if she'd pick it up.

[Dapper Dog]

“Gibson business?” she said as she pulled out her mobile. “She’s a crime boss for the Brass Orchid, think being unreasonable is in the job description.”