Log:Ghosts of the Past: Prologue, Scene 1

Valencia walks down the street, carrying a bag of groceries as she heads towards home. She glances at

her watch, frowning as she's late.

From behind Val a hand taps on her shoulder...and in a low voice, a smooth male voice says,

"Plastique...been a while."

Valencia stiffens as she hears herself referred to by that name. She whips around, eyes wide as she

seeks the voice.

A man in his late 20s, handsome, hispanic, dark of hair, and of a creamy complexion, like that of a

cappuchino. His eyes, gray, are friendly as he smiles and says, "Now now, I'm only here to talk, I

need a favor.." he has gained some muscle in the right places, and he's extremely fit, wirey more

than muscular though, yes, this is Alejandro, one of the more reknown gentleman theives from

Seattle. "How you been?" he asks as if meeting up with an old friend. More an aquaintance than a

friend, known to you through your fence in Seattle when you needed something sold or laundered, you

would often see Alejandro at the fence's place, sealing a deal.

Valencia shifts the bag of groceries in her arms as she looks at Alejandro, trying hard to keep her

expression as neutral as possible. "Why should I owe you any favors?" She asks coldly. "I've left

all that behind."

Yutaka nods and takes Val by the elbow, a gesture of familiarity, "Let me walk you home, we'll talk,

and if by the time we get to your place, you don't want to help, then I'll just walk away..deal?" he

winks, anyone from the outside looking in would think that they were old friends..well, except when

seeing Val's reaction. "I promise, just a talk."

Valencia frowns lightly but allows her arm to be taken. She lets Alejandro lead her before she finds

her own legs, but she doesn't seem to be heading towards home. She's just walking for the moment.

"Ok." She replies. "Just...out with it."

Alejandro nods, "Very well, still straight forward I see. Let me first say this to you. In seattle,

while short lived, you were the best. We were all in awe of you, we were never quite sure how you

pulled off some of your capers, but, none the less, you did. " he continues to walk, seemingly

leading you towards the direction of home, "When the cops came and tried to arrest Harrison (the

fence) looking for the items you had taken, I laundered the items for him, getting him..and you off

the hook. You probably didn't know that. You probably didn't know how the cops even found out it was

you did you?"

Valencia glances at Alejandro, sizing him and his words up. "They found a video." She replies. "I was

good but I still appear on camera. And I know how I got off." She doesn't elaborate further, looking

forward again. "But that's all over with. I'm not that person anymore. I know you might think it's

impossible and cliche but I've gone straight."

Alejandro shakes his head, "I believe you Plastique, with a boy friend like yours, why'd you ever need

to return right?" he pauses, "Where do you think they got that video anyway?...There's a reason why

Harrison is not in jail right now you know?" he shrugs, "Anyway, I was wondering..maybe, if you

wanted to do one last job, a big one, with me. I'd split the profits 50-50. Its going to be such a

haul that we'll both be rich for the rst of our lives, we can retire outright, and both go

straight."

Valencia bristles noticeably as Alejandro mentions her boyfriend, but she doesn't give him the

satisfaction of a reply. "I'm not interested." She replies. "I'm not going to get into that again. I

almost ruined my life once doing that sort of thing and I'm not about to give up what I've got now."

Alejandro nods, "Are you sure, I haven't even told you what I'm after..you might be interested."

Valencia hmms. "You're not gonna let me go until you've told me, are you?" She asks, looking at

Alejandro.

Alejandro pauses in his step..."Not unless you really want me to. I made a promise, but you agreed,

until we reach your home, we could talk."

Valencia nods slowly. "Ok. Lay it on me." If anything she can foil it...

Alejandro smiles, it won many hearts, and while this one might not be one of them, it was still

certainly a handsome face with a charming smile. "Its called the Heart of Indira. Its a Gem, no one

is sure where it came from, but its here in Colonial Bay. In a compound north of the City, owned by

a very rich, very elusive man. The heart of indira is 18 inches across about the width of a mans

chest, and 6 inches deep. Its value is..well, considered priceless. The gem is pure black, and while

I don't know what its made of, I have heard that it is a giant black diamond."

Valencia arches a brow at Alejandro, looking back towards. "And just how in the hell are you going to

fence something like that, Alejandro? It'd be so distinctive no one would even touch it..." She

shakes her head. "I can't just rob this old guy for the fun of it."

Alejandro shakes his head, "There's a market for it. I've got a buyer who's interested. I have heard

though..and this is the part that may interest you..since you are trying to make an honest go at it

for yourself...the stone has the power to remove metahuman qualities. "

Valencia blinks at that, almost stopping. Then she shakes her head. "No way. You're just pulling me

leg." She replies. "There's no way...There are so many different kinds of metahumans..." But it's

clear that she's at least intrigued by the possibility before she recovers herself. "And why would

that matter for me?"

Alejandro smirks, "Come on, I saw the tape Harrison had on you.."

Valencia frowns lightly. "So I'm a metahuman. Doesn't mean I don't want to keep being one..."

Alejandro nods, "Exactly my point...a normal life, with a normal boyfriend who doesn't want you for

anything other than you. I'm sure he loves you, that much is evident, but muchacha, this might be a

chance you wont see again. Once I get this, its going to disappear. No one will see it again."

"Is it automatic?" Valencia asks quietly. "Like, if I touch this thing, my powers are gone? Forever?"

Alejandro shrugs, "I'm not sure, I've heard that it was used in a government experiment where a kid

was dying from her metaability, and it cured her, she was a mutant, and it changed her DNA, when

tests were re-run, she was completely normal, and she has lived out her life completely. She's an

old woman now, this took place in the turn of the century."

Valencia frowns lightly, turning introspective for a moment as she mulls over what Alejandro has said.

"I'd need it verified." She replies. "I couldn't just rush into something like this and not have

proof. You understand."

Alejandro nods, "I know, I've got a name and an address for you if you wanted to talk to the woman.

She's rather old fashioned, I couldn't find much on her in the Web, stories, but actually contact

information, not much, I'm not even sure she owns a Holo...she didn't have a listed IP either. But

if you're interested, go ahead, I would only want your help if it was given.

"I'd like that." Valencia replies quietly. "To talk to her, I mean. Figure out what all this is

about...That thing could be really dangerous in the wrong hands..." She muses. "Who're you gonna

sell it to?"

Alejandro shakes his head, "I can't tell you that..come on now, you're not that far removed from the

game. You've not even given me commitment." he winks, "Nice try though."

Valencia nods. "I didn't expect you to...It's just...I mean, what I want to do with myself is one

thing, but if someone uses that crystal to hurt others it doesn't matter what I want. I'd live with

anything.'

Alejandro shrugs, "I don't know what the guy wants with it. All I know is that he's never broken a

deal, and that he's good for the money."

Valencia frowns. "That might be a dealbreaker...But I'll talk to that woman first." She replies after

a moment. "Then I'll reach you?"

Alejandro nods, "Yeah. Goto Blacksliver.com, hit up the customer support dialog, you'll reach me

there."

Valencia nods to Alejandro. "And the woman?"

Alejandro hands her a note..strange in this day and age. "Martha Agnate, 1119 Pennsylvania Blvd Hemet

Ca, 92253" is what is written on it.

Valencia takes it, examining that note closely before she tucks it into her pockets. "Thanks." She

replies softly. "I'll...get back to you."

Alejandro nods, "Its all I ask. Fair enough Plastique? Oh...and I sold the last item on your boy

friend's list to him cheap...consider it an act of admiration for the best of the best."

Valencia just blinks at that as she reaches the townhouse, eyeing Alejandro and clearly not sure just

what to make of him or what he says. "...Fair enough." She replies. "I won't take long."

Alejandro nods, "See that you don't...I've got plans. By the way, the price we'd split...2 billion."

he nods to her turns away and heads for W. Colonial Bay Heights..