L.i.o.n s De n

By earth standards, it was hot, 43 degrees Celsius (109 f) and humid, and anyone who had two brain cells to their name would have either been down by the beach or out of the heat completely. Well, that is, if you were human at any rate, for Shalimar it barely broke a sweat across her skin, heat was second nature to her, now the cold, that was a bit different. Coming from two backgrounds with much lower natural body temperatures, it was natural that her ability to sustain a lot more contact with the sun and the heat it produced before suffering from dehydration, and hence, she took advantage of that on this day.

She chose the hottest day in the week to put her plan into action, the less people on the streets the better, since, well, it would be hard to notice someone who was barely breaking a sweat in the sweltering head and though it could be passed off as off as being in good shape it was a risk she preferred to minimize. This also well, affected the clothing she could really wear out, someone walking around in pants in this kinda weather was just screaming to draw out attention and so she was once again forced to follow the 'human trends'. Conveniently however, only a few days after Shalimar had been picked up off the Torchwood 21 Space Station by her equivalent 'father', she had been given a pass to what was considered unlimited 'free' money, and told to go get herself a new wardrobe. So she did.

The following weeks that proceeded that, between adjusting to a very sedated and almost luxury life style ( in which when she could get with it she preferred to submerge herself in the TARDIS's back rooms), and filtering through her "dad's" data base,even if there was some stuff she wasn't exactly meant to see, but when did the word restricted ever stop her? Thats pretty much screaming 'find out what he's hiding'. Needless to say, Shalimar, found what she was looking for; someone within earth's vicinity that could, provide her with the ...ah , parts she needed to repair her gun among other things. Things that one couldn't exactly walk into a hardwares store, or even a gun registry and get, the kind of items that got men killed all for the sake of money.

His name was Epsilon Zeta - The Mathematician, though known by the alias of Tony Grant, for the inhabitants of earth. Estimated to be in his early eight hundreds, he was classified as a weapons tech, and a genius at what he does. Apart from that there had been various notes on Koschei's previous encounters with this individual, along with a digital portrait of him, his last current noted location and ironically, yes a phone number, he was just what Shalimar was looking for. Thus, started her more then light research on one "Tony Grant", and meticulous planning of how she was to go about approaching this individual, for it didn't take much intellect to know he was dangerous. Then again, we are talking about a war born daughter of a Timelord here now aren't we?

So the day had finally arrived and as the the peek of the summer's afternoon heat was reaching its pinnacle, Shalimar was making last minute preparations. The Master and Lucy were out at some government meeting, so would not miss her presence as such. Her chosen attire for the day however, as stated before wasn't exactly what she would have preferred to wear, but for appearances sake, would have to do. This consisted of a a jet black mini skirt resting at her mid thigh, a matching halter top with a low neck line, the battered chain necklace with her mother's wedding ring, knee high combat boots with a bit of a heel and her tattered backpack containing among other things, her guns, holsters, and various other equipment that the general public should not see.

Finally ready, Shalimar left the top level pent house suite, making her way down the thirteen flights of fire exit stairs at the back of the building as to not draw attention to herself, before pushing the steel framed door outwards as she stepped out onto street level. The location Shalimar was heading for was only a few blocks away by foot in one of the busiest districts of Cardiff, a very plain looking set off office buildings which, unless you were aware of their presence wouldn't even know they where there. Lovely things perception filters.

It was only when Shalimar had almost reached her destination that she did then stop, stepping into an alleyway out of plain view and pulled out the harness with two gun holsters strapped to either side, clipping it around her hips before withdrawing two sheathed sets of intricately carved throwing knives strapping one to each mid thigh in plain view. The guns, well, they weren't her babies, but they would have to do on short notice since her prized weapon was currently out of commission because of a blown energy core - thank you K'anpo. Finally satisfied that everything was within arms reach, Shalimar, stepped out, back onto the street making her way towards the double glass doors at the entrance of one 'Tony Grant's "office building".

Pausing for a moment, she lay a hand on the outside of what she knew was his TARDIS, just taking a moment to offer her own peace to the machine before pushing open the door gently and stepping inside. Generally speaking, Shalimar had no consideration for any other beings manner wise unless it suited her agenda, but a TARDIS was a completely other story, they, unlike anyone else in her opinion would always have her deepest respects. Taking a moment to absorb her surroundings, Shalimar took another pace forward, expecting to be 'greeted' by one of the two personalities that she had 'talked' to earlier in setting up an appointment to see their handler and was not disappointed when she sensed another presence enter the room. Shalimar had presented herself as, Mutt Saxon (hey everyone had an alias, not like anyone had any dirt on her since she was from another universe anyway) daughter of Harold Saxon, and after several minutes of hesitance and guessed attempts at giving her a background check she had been allowed to set up a time to meet the man behind the mask.

Mutt Saxon, I believe I had an appointment with your..Mathematician, if you would be so kind as to introduce me.

Formality was the key and though Shalimar was not one with good patience generally, it paid to have good tact and edict to acquire what you needed out of an individual, that and provoking an angry response out of one's TARDIS was not the best way to start.

(sorry it kinda...well was a crappy post, my mind was else where focus wise <<; )

Kotomi was dressed in an Armani pinstripe jacket and one-button matching pinstripe pants. The jacket was a nice charcoal color with gray pinstripes, a ruffled spread collar and button front with long sleeves. She wore a white tank top under the jacket that had a fuchsia floral print on it. It had a square neckline and seemed to be made of pure silk. The pants were the same charcoal color with gray pinstripes that her jacket was. They had slit pockets and bootcut leg, zip front; one-button extended tab. She took great pride in her appearance when she had to meet with clients. She had an electronic clipboard in her hands and she was doing her daily diagnostics.

She then smiled as she felt a sense of peace coming from outside. She absolutely adored it when people showed a sense of respect for her and Maru. She then turned on her heals to face their new client. She smiled and held the clipboard close to her as the woman spoke. ”Mutt Saxon, I believe I had an appointment with your..Mathematician, if you would be so kind as to introduce me.” Kotomi smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

Maru soon appeared behind the woman and spoke up. “Good morning Miss. Saxon.” He said with an air of charm. “Before I let you go any further I might ask you to leave your arms behind.”

Shalimar was right on the money when it came to getting a good first impression, well, with a TARDIS anyway, couldn't vouch for anything or one past that. It only took a few moments for what she assessed as the lighter of Epsilon's TARDIS's personifications to completely reveal herself. Well dressed, with a clip board in hand, she seemed almost bubbling over with appreciation for what was a display of very rarely seen manners from 'Mutt Saxon'. Yes, this must have been 'Kotomi' whom was noted briefly in her 'father's' notes on 'Mr Grant'. But, there was another mentioned, described as an older male in design,... Mara..no Maru, yes that was it, and Shalimar had no doubt that it would only be moments before 'he' made an appearance.


Of Course.

She was right on the money. Shalimar heard him briefly before she saw him, her body turned smartly to face the appearance of an equally well dressed Maru whom was now standing in front of her. Cocking her head slightly, she took in his frame, assessing him briefly (hey habits die hard) before turning her attention back to his face knowing that he would in a moment speak. It was always curious how persona's came out, because generally speaking, they either revolved around what the creator wished to have or were reflections of different sides of their personalities, and in this case it seemed no different.


“Good morning Miss. Saxon.”

“Before I let you go any further I might ask you to leave your arms behind.”

Of course.

She hummed, in what could almost be mistaken for a cheerful tone of voice, excluding the slight air of caution she still held as her arms slid down her sides to where both holster's lay. Unfastening first her left handed glock, Shalimar withdrew it, cocking the safety on the end before drawing her other arm and doing the same. Finally satisfied she wasn't going to accidentally blow her foot off (she wasn't very confident in the mechanics of an 'antique' 21st century weapon), Shalimar then popped both ammo cartridges out of the handle of the guns before handing everything over to Maru's open hand. Nodding, she made a light gesture to Kotomi to lead away at her leisure, before following behind at a decent pace.

It didn't take long for the pair to reach their destination, though it wasn't exactly what Shalimar was expecting. It was a exotic Japanese garden, rather then a workshop, I suppose, Epsilon had a taste for meditation in his off-time. Thanking Kotomi for showing her the way, Shalimar soon found herself standing alone beside a patch of bamboo. Everything seemed peaceful and quiet, too quiet. Then again, Shalimar never hand much peace in her life, that and the fact she was still trying to adjust to the fact that she didn't have to be alert for someone out to slit your throat 24/7.

Finally, after several minutes of just contemplating and assessing her surroundings, she made her way along a worn foot path towards the sound of bubbling water. She once again hear him before she saw him, as she stepped with expert stealth a few meters away from his back, watching him quietly. He was leaning up against a tree, clean clothes pilled to the side with two visible shot guns laying to his right. She couldn't herself, as she let out low purr from the base of her throat as she made her presence known as she circled in an arc into his line of view.

Epsilon Zeta, or do you prefer Mr Grant? Your reputation precedes you, in this universe and the latter.

Her voice was tinged with an almost warm tone, a low feral rumble present on the edge of her words. The photo in Koschei's database really didn't do him justice, and he was certainly a lot better looking then the freelancing merchant who had seen many more years and quite a few more regeneration's in her timeline. Granted she had only ever met the other Epsilon once, when she had been a younger sprog, accompanying her mother on a negotiation to acquire a few stealth generators for their newest ships out of the yard. That and he had been bald, with a nasty scar across the middle of his face, a little terrifying for a child of ten.

While we're on the topic of alias's and actual names, - Shalimar. No last name, though the media will shortly see me as Miss Saxon

She grinned, a hint of a cynical personality dancing off her sharp, bright green eyes as she impolitely sized him up. "Eye Rape" the soldiers had called it, she had been known for it as the daughter of one of the most decorated Timelord's The Empire had seen. Besides, it paid to know what your enemy was concealing, before engaging them. For example, Shalimar had already determined that he was probably ambidextrous by the way that his weight was neither over balanced on either half of his body, and the fact he was lacking many layers she had already pin pointed the most likely place any extra weapons would be concealed.

Of course.

Maru smiled at her response. He seemed content that she was cooperating and that he wouldn’t have to take any regrettable or unnecessary actions. Things always seemed to get so messy when the clients didn’t want to cooperate and he didn’t like cleaning it up afterwards. “Thank you Miss. Saxon.” He said as he took each gun and their magazines and placed them in a safe. “They will be returned to you intact once your meeting with our Mathematician is over.”

Kotomi, after being satisfied that their guest was disarmed, started to lead her guest not to one of the labs but to the arboretum. They had passed several rooms that were held ‘artifacts’ that were categorized my origin and time period. The largest room by far seemed to be the one labeled ‘Oriental’. They also had passed the Zero Room. The door was clear so you could see clearly into it. There seemed to be a ‘medium’ sized ‘kitten’ sleeping on a table. They soon came to a door that opened with a ‘whoosh’. Kotomi walked in with her guest following behind her. She left her at a patch of bamboo and went back to her diagnostics.

Epsilon had a rather long meeting with some local gun runners that ended… well badly –for them. They had ended up ‘taking care of’ several of his best clients and he just couldn’t have that. Better to take out the middle men anyway. He had spent a good chunk of the afternoon in the hot spring to relax him before his meeting with ‘Miss. Saxon’. He wasn’t sure of what to make of the woman. There was no information on her and she was using the ‘Saxon’ name. He wondered what the Master wanted and why he was sending this woman instead of coming himself.

He kept his guns close to him as Kotomi mentally notified that their guest was here and making her way to him. Then he heard a soft purr and he couldn’t help the grin that crossed his face. Maybe he would like this meeting after all. Though he had to admit that her choice in her clothing colour was interesting. Black in this heat wave. Very daring. He then listened as she spoke.

Epsilon Zeta, or do you prefer Mr. Grant? Your reputation precedes you, in this universe and the latter.

He couldn’t help but chuckle as the words rolled off her sweet lips. He was defiantly going to like her. Though her dress wasn’t what he had expected. A jet black mini skirt, matching halter top and combat boots. It wasn’t what his clients usually ware. It was also the complete opposite of his attire consisting of a white linen shirt and pants, take it the shirt was currently un buttoned. “You may call me what you like my dear. It’s not every day I run across someone who knows my actual factual name.” But he barely got that out before she started to speak again.

While we're on the topic of alias's and actual names, - Shalimar. No last name, though the media will shortly see me as Miss Saxon.

He watched as she sized him up, looking him up and down. He grinned. “You sound very sure of yourself Shalimar.” The words rolling off his tongue with a somewhat alluring under tone. He wasn’t convinced the Master had a child. He would’ve bragged about it. He put a hand to the transparent blue screen in front of him and ‘wiped’ it away. He then patted the ground next to him as an invite for her to join him. “Now down to business. How may I be of service to you, Miss. Shalimar?”