A Night at Lucky Dog's

It was a bit over an hour later when the group finally met in the Voltham underbelly. The heavily layers of overpasses and raised highways above the densely packed slums adding to the distinct Voltham near dystopian vibe. Thick reinforced concrete pillars supported with massive steel beams, split the rising steam with their shadows. Both methods of support and the undersides of the overpasses covered in graffiti as far as a body could conceivably reach.

Below tucked into the dense cluster of buildings was a tucked away little dive, a sheet metal awning over the solid door, a single flashing neon hung along the brick wall. It showcased a rather gruff looking bulldog, the cards in its paw slowly lighting up to reveal a near royal flush in hearts. The two of hearts would flicker briefly before switching to the ace of hearts; the new card completing the royal flush and earning the dive its name: Lucky Dog's.

Constantinople looked up at the club's sign as he leaned against the once frequented old haunt, the trio of heroes standing in a little cluster beside him. Glancing down the darkening street to see their fifth walking up for the night. Izime looking much more civilized by earth standards than he usually was, Constantinople a bit surprised by the apparent effort his friend had put in.

"That one of the Executioner's old jackets, its missing the skull." Raising his brows Constantinople gave a nod, inquiring about the 'new' leather jacket Izime was wearing.

Izime glanced down at the leather jacket he was wearing trying to recall exactly who it had belonged to. There were a bunch of holes and patches where he had removed a totally unreasonable number of spikes, and it smelled like smoke?

"It was one of the Soul Takers, don't remember if it was Timmy Bars' or Elliot's though." Izime finally recalled the anti-hero the jacket had belonged to. The soul taking demon contracted flaming bike rider Soul Taker, that or his horse-riding predecessor.

The thing had nearly been shredded when Izime found it, but it was leather, so it just needed a bunch of patches. Sure, it didn't look great, but it was functional, protective, and conveniently enough completely fireproof. The black also went with nearly any of the other clothes Izime had scrounged up, like the light brown shirt and naturally distressed jeans he had on. The denim fading and fraying from actual use and not some fancy machine.

Jim stood across from Izime, the classic tan jacket one of Constantinople constants along with the worn looking slacks. Beside him on the right were the two Blane's, surprisingly having managed to dress down somewhat. Izime wasn't too surprised Stan had some old clothes, but Steven was still toeing the line showing his money. The plated biker jacket he was wearing might have been scuffed but it was still too showy and those jeans were obviously mock designer.

Stan had managed to put together something decent, but that wasn't all that surprising. The aged and patched gray blazer and plain white shirt managed to make the man look like he had lost millions. The jeans were still Jenkins level pleated though. Izime wasn't going to start docking points.

This wasn't a mission, it was a networking and a bit of catching up with Constantinople, so Psyis had it spot on at least. The same stained gray hoodie and cheap denim that had him convinced the alien was just the average Volthamite. Though the bit of white hair that was spilling alongside her head stood out a bit Izime supposed she couldn't help her natural hair color. It was probably a bit difficult to keep it so pristine and snow-white thought.

"Cradle is?" Psyis asked a bit nervously, not wanting to psychically start checking her surroundings and wind up upsetting the raven again. A bit worried as Izime's gaze had lingered on her for a moment eyes searching her as if suspicious.

"Cradles above Miss Psyis," Izime put thoughts about aliens and hair-dye aside, giving a nod skyward before looking at the unwanted company for tonight. "No offense Mr. Blane but I don't trust you either, Cradle will be keeping an eye on things for me."

"That is a smart move." Blane didn't feel much emotional sway from the man who had addressed him by name in Voltham's underground. Obviously, he was confident, but both of them were so Blane simply acknowledged the move.

"Oh." A quiet voice of slightly surprised disappointment slipped through the cracks in the conversation as Izime continued, accidentally speaking over Psyis' disheartened sigh.

"I don't mind you, all of you checking your surroundings as well." Izime shrugged perfectly willing to share the field with all but one, giving the alien a bit of a limitation. "Just keep it under seventy thousand feet Miss Psyis and out of my own mind."

"Drink first and magic later?" Constantinople gave an appreciative nod as the group seemed to be coming to terms for their first meeting. At least setting some ground rules around baser powers and personal security.

"Yeah." "No."

Two spoke over two more Blane and Izime still giving one another the odd look while Psyis glanced at Steven in irritation. Steven crossing his arms as he stepped closer to his mentor wanting to try and physically impose with their size. Breaking his contact with those red eyes as he joined in, trying to intimidate Izime into listening. Constantinople just glanced between both pairs in frustration until Izime finally explaining his reasoning.

"I can't transport four people and let be clear Stan, you were never invited to the deal." Izime waved his fingers as he considered exactly where he had stashed the tanks, it would be a pain to hide all over again. Giving Blane a welcoming nod towards the door he did invite the man along in some fashion, "You are welcome to drink though."

"We didn't plan on drinking anyway." Blane shook his head not wanting to partake in any sort of social life that Constantinople enjoyed. Already wary of the place they had arrived, it being a well-known locale for nere-do wells of both human and the not so human variety, "Constantinople will take us."

"Sorry," Constantinople sighed stuffing his hands into his tan jacket pockets giving a nod back towards the Dark Duo in waiting, "Stan's still wanting to even the field."

"OK, let's be clear, Constantinople doesn't even know where to go so unless I'm willing to complying to this search, to which I'm not. Then you've got no real play here, my advice is to look me up on Savior Orbital instead of interrupting my night, Stan." Izime nodded, giving Blane a look as he offered up his Sol information. If Blane wanted anything he could have his business contact info, so Izime directed him there. "Any one of you can look me up in the Zythomian databases and find me in the Vidan's expense reports. My Sol ID is public and I'm not using an alias so start with that not with this shitty attempt at strong arming me."

"Now drinks," Izime jerked his thumb towards the door, not intending to waste any more of his life on explaining pointless details to Stan or Steven Blane, hell any of the three. Sighing Izime asked the first question one should ask when drinking with the exorcist, focusing on protecting his wallet. "Who's buying?"

Izime moved past the obviously pissed Stan Blane who was glaring at him towards the entrance, leaving that square jaw grinding away. Stan likely considering if following Izime's advice was rolling over or the wiser move. Seeing as Constantinople had led them to Lucky Dog's door rather uselessly the sleuth's options were limited unless he wanted to cause a scene.

"Who's got more money you or Stan?" Constantinople asked a genuine question as he looked between two of the richest people he knew, turning to follow his friend who'd decided to try and seemingly succeeded in putting Dark Night in his place.

Izime's churlish attitude likely earning him a full-blown investigation from the Blane's, the exorcist followed along knowing Izime would need someone in his corner. Bringing up an idle thought the exorcist had suddenly become curious enough to inquire about. Stan had stocks, cash, earth credit, and untold sums saved away. Izime had shelves piled with gems, trinkets from a millennia ago, and more Sol accounts that Cradle had feathers, more than likely that was. The exorcist never getting a solid figure from either of them, now using Izime bit of ire to tempt him into answering.

"If it's not earth money then it's me, if its earth money?" Izime admitted the first part easily, scratching the back of his head as he considered honestly answering the second half. With the help of Cradle he probably could launder enough credits to give Blane an honest run for his money before the Vidan financial division showed.

"Also you?" Constantinople figured what Izime was considering, not being nearly as morally strict as the other heroes around him. The trinket trader could probably easily launder those untold credits into earth money and cheat his way into being richer than Stan Blane in seconds.

"Right now? Probably seeing as I still have Cradle's debit card." Izime admitted as he pulled the black and silver stripped card out of his pocket, "We're easily in the top one hundred for Orion's Arm alone but I can't in good conscience collapse Earth's economy just because. The Vidan Security Council would have me arrested within the hour for interfering with a civilized world on such a scale."

"And how much is it worth if you don't launder it all into an established economy?" Constantinople stuffed his hands in his pockets, calling his toxin dealer out on being a liar, "Izime's only filthy rich because he'll trade in some long-forgotten currency that's good on exactly two half star-burnt generations ships tuff'n off near the ass end of the stars. The one man who'll crawl back across the stars and throw a fit if the Vidan doesn't acknowledge them because of some treaty that's half dust already."

"None of those agreements extending to Earth of course, so my Sol credits stay off earth unless I'm short." Izime stuffed the card back into his pocket glaring at the exorcist before his gaze swept the three morally stricter heroes, "Speaking of Constantinople, I'd rather not commit money laundering in front of our friends tonight, so how about you pay on time for once?"

"Mate you know, it's been a bit rough lately." Constantinople smiled throwing an arm over Izime's shoulder, dragging him down a bit as he waved his free hand in question. A hopeful smile crossing the exorcists face, a few brightly colored stones appeared in his palm which he opened in question. "Do you still take gems?"

"Pay at least half in cash now and I'll cut you a deal," Izime looked at his friend and business partner with a plaintive expression, a bit ashamed to admit he really did need the money even offering to give a steep discount. "I'll do gems for the rest later."

"Four tanks is a bit much mate." Constantinople released Izime knowing that his friend wasn't asking for money just because. It was likely he didn't have earth cash and was seriously considering the risks with the galactic economic finance police.

"Agreed, it was a sudden windfall after all, so I can manage storage for free, but I need at least a thousand for one tonight or I'm dumping the lot into the sun." Izime rocked his head back and forth as he considered his expected expenses for the next little while, adding an additional warning for the exorcist to keep in mind. "Considering the sudden attention I've gained in Voltham, who knows when I'll get more."

"Fucking wanker," Constantinople whipped a handout of his jacket smacking Izime on the arm as the man had no sense of style, no art of the trade. Simply playing hardball from the get-go and delivering an ultimatum within seconds. "I'll be back I'm going to find an a.t.-"

"Thank you annnnd done," Izime threw his arm around the exorcist now giving him a friendly shake in return for the smack, "Cradle even saved you and acknowledged the conversion rates for the U.S. dollar."

"Still a bloody thieving budgie, fine let's go." Constantinople cursed towards the black credit demon in the sky, looking at the Blanes accusingly as the trip suddenly got a bit expensive. "Only wanted to drink now I'm needing one."

"At least it's in earth gravity this time, puking in low-g is fun right?" Izime wanted to at least cheer Constantinople up a bit after Cradle had helped themselves to his wallet.

"Don't! Stop it!" Constantinople paled a bit as he recalled the sensation, the mess, the smell that had lingered in the ship's vents for days, even recalling how he'd had to dodge the still floating puddles. "No, I don't want to remember."

"HA!" Izime laughed pointing at the psychic seemed to have unfortunately just caught the recalled memory from Constantinople, watching as she paled to a sky blue and lavender one hand covering her mouth.

The two sharing a moment with their third, Psyis taking the teasing comfortably.

Both the Blanes left standing like flat tires to the ride that was about to take place.