[MxM] - Sage Private RT

Since he was a boy he loved the idea of an adventure, but his abilities had left him stuck in the healer's hut. Studying, learning, helping, it was a boring life he led. Kirin thought back to the first time he had dared to venture outside of the clan's walls, built atop of ruins they finished destroying to make room. He had visited a large lake nearby, wanting nothing more than to see the outside and feel what it was like to be free. The usually darkened sky was lighter that day, brightening the landscape that most humans had slowly begun to adapt to. Kirin pulled his mask down, inhaling the crisp eternal winter air like it was the first time he was breathing. It may have well been, since he hadn't been allowed out of the clan's walls before this. He remembered it like it was yesterday, the cold, dry and fresh air and the only sound he could pick up had been the wind brushing against his skin.

Then came the bitter ice cold water as he fell through the ice, the sting of it like a thousand, million knives stabbing into every pore on his skin. Every muscle in his body screamed in an instant, the water rushing into his mouth and ears and eyes while his fingers fought against him moving. How he managed to grab onto anything and pull himself back to land, Kirin still doesn't know or understand. Maybe he wasn't as far out as he had originally thought. Maybe, someone was just looking out for him that day. Whatever it was, it only solidified his desire to adventure out further instead of fearing the land.

Kirin refocused his mind on the task at hand. Each time he snuck out of the clan's walls he went a little further and this time, in the distance, he could see ruins of a town. His curiosity was highly peaked, near being able to cut the sky with how badly he wanted to go explore it. The sound of heavy footfalls had halted his tracks, forcing him to climb up a nearby pine tree so he wasn't immediately visible, letting the noise of the tree's groans subside while he listened closely to his surroundings. He had remembered watching his eldest brother teach their second brother how to listen to what was going on around him. Since he hadn't been noticed, Kirin decided to join in the lesson and followed suit. Eyes closed and his senses were redistributed, putting more emphasis on his hearing. His breathing slowed and the bitter wind became silent. There, a pack of wolves in the distance were running about each other, crows nearby were telling their secrets to one another across the trees and finally, that heavy set of footprints.

There was no telling what it was, exactly. When the ice took over most of the planet, it came with magic and beasts the likes of which humanity had never seen. There were still new creatures being documented and information circulating between the traveling merchants and bards, those who would risk their lives for trade and adventure. If he was picking up the direction of those footfalls, they were heading somewhere near or around the ruins he saw earlier. That wouldn't be any good, but for now, at the very least, Kirin was mostly safe. Whatever the creature was, it was heavy, but maybe not big.

He was slow to climb back out of the tree, careful to make as little noise as possible, which wasn't always the easiest when the ground was constantly snow and ice. Retrieving a pocket knife from his side bag, Kirin carved an 'X' on the tree and an arrow toward where he had come from. The initial 'K' beneath it and put away his knife. He didn't think he'd get lost, really, but it was always good to leave a sign. A little comfort while he was venturing. Careful, quiet steps were taken as he weaved himself through the trees and out of the field. Eyes never stopped roaming, looking out at everything he could see, listening for every step or caw he could hear, following the crows above while they seemed to be tracking him.

It was difficult to tell where those heavy footfalls were still, but he felt no sign of danger, allowing him a bit more freedom in his movement. Not that he wanted to fight off a pack of wolves, but they seemed to be a far distant cry for him to worry about. It was past midday when he finally made it to the ruined town. While he picked up on no immediate danger, he wasn't dumb enough to put his guard down. Behind every corner could be something, anything, and it could be his life. Preferably theirs, of course, but he was a realist. Ice covered every roof, dripping down as teeth along the edges while snow blanketed most of the ground. There was a clear path through the middle of the town, something he assumed was used by travelers through here. Stones from a former road were broken apart and strewn along the sides and near the empty homes, bits and pieces of the dead grass beneath the snow peeking up from where someone, or something, had cleared the area.

Little by little, Kirin made his way into the town, careful to limit the noise he was making as he rounded a house. Attempting to look in through the window proved impossible with how the ice covered the glass. He could tell one little touch would break it and he made sure to keep his hands to himself. Kirin slowly moved toward the door, left hand at the ready to send a blast of wind toward anything, or anyone, that might come at him while he opened the door. The creaking from the underused hinges had felt like it echoed, so loud he physically winced and hoped nothing would jump out at him. He waited, ready to defend himself and when nothing came, he allowed himself to relax a bit. Without waiting, Kirin stepped through the door and took a look around.

It was a disappointing discovery, really. Broken furniture, half destroyed fireplace, long disintegrated food on plates that were worn by nature. His walk through each of the rooms proved this had been nothing more than a simple household. Likely a family that only ever just barely made it and found their contentment in each other. Never actually understanding why anyone would want to settle in one place, Kirin shook his head and walked back out of the house from whence he came. Unsure how long he'd have before something would come bugging him, he took the temporary peaceful moment to continue exploring the buildings, grabbing bits and pieces here and there that might look valuable so he could show the merchants the next time they made their trip.

The media were hanging over the edge of the rope, keeping them loosely at bay on either side of the red and gold carpet. Sage stepped into the spotlight, giving a smile and nod toward the media as he heard his name called out, even a wave at one point for good measure. Not bothering to stop to speak to any of them, already figuring their questions would be ones he didn't want to answer. At least, not right now.

He didn't have whatever information Hasano was offering up from that chip. Having to make due with the little he knew, it was best to keep everything under a tight lid for now. It was never that each of the rich here were lacking in their fields to not be noticed, but both he and Anita were good at making entrances.

The Dragon certainly liked to play into her nickname, as well. Dressed in a glittering gold, form fitting dress with the body of a dragon as a scarf, its heading hanging over her chest. Her dark brown hair up in the silliest tower that he had ever seen. She really had quite a taste in her look, but some of these women were questionable.

He could feel every pair of eyes on him as he passed through the doors. That public smile of his resting on his visage with his chin held up. Knowing his grandfather was here, he made a brief look through the crowd and saw him nodding in the distance.

"Why look who has finally arrived, Sage Cedeno." Came that raucous tone and he immediately knew Sarah was close. The Spider, Anita's mother. He turned to her as his name was mentioned, hearing whispers and chatter as most went back to their business (or were being nosey in their conversation).

"Ms. Rodriguez." He started, glancing at Anita who had disappeared into the crowd. It was amusing but at least her mother had a more appropriate dress on; simple white with gold trimming. Fitting for an elderly woman who was half cybernetic anyway. "You are looking well, glad to see old age still hasn't caught up to you."

"Unfortunately for Anita." She'd jest with a chuckle. Sarah was always easier to speak to but she was probably the more dangerous one. Though in recent years she had backed out of her daughter's life, having started seeing someone. "Have you met my fiancé?" She gestured for a gentleman to come closer. He was taller than them both, short white hair and half bald with a clear aging visage. "This is Thomas."

It was clear on this man's face he was both fascinated and excited. Likely his first time in a place where so many rich and famous were casually chatting. "It is my pleasure to meet a Cedeno." He offered. Sage caught the brief disdain on Sarah's face before she corrected it. "Following your family has always been quite interesting. Much like the Rodriguez family. I am quite a lucky man." He had glanced at Sarah, smiling quite warmly at her. Now he could see why she was with him. It was clear he wasn't any part of their world, but he certainly adored her.

Sage bowed his head in greeting, "It is my pleasure, sir. You two look good together." The smile he gave to Sarah told her more than enough that he could feel the air shift. She was growing annoyed so easily, and so quickly, and Sage couldn't get enough.

The first near hour he had been here had gone smoothly. Sage didn't have to do much but stand in one area as people came up to him, inquiring about his own work, how it was to be so young and run a business. He swore his age came up constantly and he had to continue weaving out of the conversation about it. A few times he had a decent conversation, all while taking a good look around. Each of the security here could easily pass off as a normal person, similar to an Aegis agent.

The Cutters who had covered themselves in tattoos had used makeup to cover them for the evening. They were dressed appropriately, enough that no one else would actually be aware something was amiss. There were, every so often, the hint that they were not part of this world that Sage caught and every so often, they'd make eye contact with him as well. They were certainly watching.

He couldn't imagine Anita would really allow anything to happen on her big night, as she walked up onto the platform so she could look down on the people there. Despite her distasteful look and personality, her honeyed voice was nice to listen to. He half suspected she purposely made it so, but she had held it every time they ever spoke and he might have just been petty.

The light in the room dimmed, holographs of shooting stars swimming through the room and exploding into a ceiling of stars, glittering above them. He could hear the approval of the general audience, the oohs and aahs that he found silly. It was basic, a bit of flare. While Anita spoke, Sage could feel eyes on him. Not one or two, but several. He made no move, holding a glass of red wine and keeping his main focus on Anita, knowing full well if he left the main room they would follow him.

Some part of him was tempted to check in with Bravid, but he figured he already had an eye on everything. It was his job and Sage's expectations were high no matter how intimate they'd become in private. Anita continued going on, making jokes that he found terrible but her audience certainly played along with. Then finally came the reveal of something he hadn't expected; weapons.

Having received a request from the military himself, he was curious about these weapons of hers. Why would she have made them? Who… no. She was making weapons for the Cutters. Each of the ones on display looked well made, sturdy but looks didn't matter as far as that went. There were several kinds, many of which a person could find casually amongst most gangers. Each of them were described to have a heated blade, a better way to protect against those who cover themselves into metal, androids. Cyborgs even.

The moment Anita's eyes landed on him while she spoke, he knew this was done on purpose. He didn't waver, his eyes locked on her in turn with a smile that she knew was belittling her. Deciding he needed to get his hands on one of those, he tested the network in the building. She definitely had netrunners tracking everything, and these fools would never catch them. Most corpos weren't netrunners themselves, of course they'd be ignorant. If he hacked into her network, she'd be alerted immediately and it would give her the right to have the Cutter's come after him first. He wanted to send a message to his grandfather but after this, he decided it was best to skip it. Moving toward him to speak would be suspicious.

Sage was stuck. Kept in place as he listened to her speak and introduce each of the weapons while he smiled like nothing was wrong. Eventually the real reason most were here had come. Holographs of her new cybernetic setup appeared on either side of her, showing various sides. The code he had intercepted and replaced with his own was small and he had forgotten to inquire if it had been dealt with or not. He supposed they'd find out over the next month as people bought into her weak set up.