#v:demonic data

She set her cards down on her table and led Mare through the small, dirty alleyway back to Vic's office. It was a mostly tiled room, an operating chair in the middle of the floor with various cyberware upgrades strewn about several tables.

"Hey Mare, been awhile," the ripper doc grinned as they approached, and Misty wordlessly headed back to her shop, her chunky boots scuffing the grimey pavement of the small alleyway.

"Have a seat. You here for health, or fun? I have a few new upgrades and toys I think you might like. Got some ram boosters for quicker processing, I also got on some new optics if you feel like switching out your peepers. Maybe a few other odds and ends, though if you think you've got a virus or anything, I'll need to get that cleared up before I can add on any more enhancements."

As he was speaking, he picked up a small syringe, already injecting the demon with a quick acting sterilization serum.

Mare winced a little at the needle prick. They weren't his favorite, but it wasn't anything like his fear of heights. He was glad the doc didn't warn him about it, honestly, that would've been worse.

"It has been a bit…I guess both, honestly. I, uh…it's been a busy few months. I don't think I've got any viruses, but with the places I've been playing, I have no clue honestly," he admitted.

He thought for a minute. Nate's optics were definitely sub par…the kid had been bat blind when Mare possessed him over a decade ago, and replacements hadn't done much to help.

"The optics still brown, Doc?" he asked. "Also the ram boosters sound great, as long as they don't fuck with my current auditory processing."

Upstairs though, there was a lounge, and the very top, was a restaurant that served only real food. None of the fake or synthetic, man made stuff that made Dante's nose scrunch in disgust.

Offering his arm to Mare, he led him up in the elevator until it reached the top floor, and he offered the hostess, a woman with bright pink hair and a lot of chrome, a wide smile as he let her know the name for the reservation.

"I hope you like Sushi," he hummed, looking to his date.

"They have the best in Night City."

Mare took Dante's arm, very happy to let the warlock guide him. He could smell the food, and dear god it smelled amazing.

Mare didn't mind the synthetic stuff. Sure, it tasted off, but not terrible. Mare preferred the less fine food, simple things and cheap snacks.

That didn't mean he didn't miss real food though.

The elevator, as always, made Mare slightly uncomfortable. It was faster than stairs, and most places didn't have stairs anyway now. He tried to relax as he realized they were going up to the top floor…at least they'd be inside.

"Are you kidding? I love it," he said, the conversation helping distract him. "Usually my top choice for lunch."

He was ignoring Johnny for now. And he would for as long as he could through this date…

That and the fact that Dante reminded him so much of his childhood best friend, even sharing his name.

Nate had been vaguely aware of everything going on with Mare for the past…decade? Two decades? He didn't even know how long it had been.

So he was…again, very vaguely…aware of the newest headmate.

And now he was face to face with the man as he tried to come to terms with actully being fully conscious. In the mindspace.

"Uh…you…I don't think that's how this is supposed to work…"

"You must be Mare. I'm V," she hummed, brushing back her almost mint colored hair.

"Good to meet you. Vic says you come highly recommended in the music circuit."

Johnny, whom Mare had only discovered in his brain pan earlier that day, leaned on the bar looking her over. Had she been able to see him, she probably would have considered his invasive gaze crude and disgusting, leaving little of his mental intent to the imagination from even a look alone.

You should take this one to bed. Then we could both enjoy it, he remarked shamelessly, gruff voice echoing in Mare's head.

Might guarantee a spot at the Afterlife too. A little.... persuasion and pleasure among friends never hurt anyone, the engram mused.

Mare ignored Johnny for the moment. It wasn't his first time sharing his headspace and right now he needed to focus on V. "I don't know about highly recommended, but the guys and I definitely put on a good show," he said, ordering himself a drink as he observed her. "And I certainly can't take all the credit. I'm just the front man, but it takes more than one to make a band."

If you're gonna stay along for the ride, we may as well get this straight from the get go. I take no one to bed. You want sex, you can find another idiot to annoy. And we're not manipulating her into getting us in, I'm doing this the same way I've always done it.

He didn't know if Johnny was a full soul, a glitch, or just evidence Mare was losing it, but whatever it was, he really didn't care. He just needed to learn to live with him until he saw Victor again.

"Doc said you could maybe get us into Afterlife for a few gigs. I didn't bring any of my instruments today, but I could maybe sing something for you if wanted."

How the hell was he still standing?

"I'll give you one more chance to stop before I make you!" The heavy Japanese accent called to him from a man that was far more robot than human, his eyes red as he was quickly gaining ground.

Mare felt his whole body tense as the electricity coursed through his body, particularly his cybernetics.

Make him? How the fuck did this asshole plan to do that?

The demon growled, redirecting the electric current unto some of his shadows and flicking them back to Takemura.

He really should slip into the shadows, away from this mess. But he needed answers and he wouldn't get them if he lost the guy.