Exodus: Guns And Gore 51 Casino Phoenix Royale

She glanced up when he opened the connecting door between their areas. "Busy Robs?"

She shook her head and leaned back in her chair. "Presents?"

"No, not really. I would like you to go somewhere with me. Consider this your disguise." He handed her the two boxes from Lara.

She peeked inside both, "hmmm... how did you know my sizes?"

"Wren picked them out actually." QJ shrugged and handed her an item he wrapped himself. "This one is from me, though."

Robin sat the two boxes down and picked up the paper-wrapped object. A moment later, she was holding a small stuffed animal in her hands. "What kind of animal is this?"

"It's a platypus." QJ watched her squeeze it and hold it up to her face.

"You're messing with me. Right? There's no such thing.

QJ brought up his hud and did a quick search before finding a video of one. "It's a real animal from my world."

Robin smiled widely while watching the video, she held the stuffed animal to her chest, stroking it like it was real. "So cute..."

"How long will it take you to get ready?"

Robin smiled sweetly, "how long until we have to leave?"

QJ glanced at his hud, "maybe an hour and a half."

"That should be enough time." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him before shooing him out.

"Okay Robs... I'll just wait in my shop. Come in when you are ready."

"Okay. Thanks for the Platypus."

He took a seat at his bench and brought up his hud. He had seen a few items in the Exodus market that he was interested in. One of them was the tail-feather bones of a firedrake. Unlike their dragon cousins, they weren't capable of true flight, only really impressive gliding. GnG didn't have any drakes but the bones were listed as usable components.

He spent fifty thousand credits for four six-foot-long pieces of bone. With a few minutes, they were delivered to his workbench. He sat three of them aside and started on the first. Drake tail-feather bones had two qualities he needed. They were very strong and also quite light. For QJ's purposes being hollow also was desirable.

He carefully measured the inside diameter of the bones. They were somewhat out of round, so QJ put it on his lathe and brought the outside surface down by about a tenth of an inch. He then pushed a rifling file through the center core. Since he was looking to combine a shotgun, the rifling didn't matter at all. However, it guaranteed that the inner bore would be symmetrical. He carefully cut two slots on each side of the bone at the exact midpoint. He would use a small sleeve of Sakri Steel to create a handgrip that would pump a new round into the chamber. He would have to a.s.semble the breech and trigger housing through the slots before attaching the grip.

QJ used his drawing table to figure out the components needed. A spring-rod to reload rounds and a catch lock to keep the handgrip from moving after it was loaded. He would cap both ends of the staff with steel sleeves. The non-barrel side would, of course, be solid.

QJ carved the waxy Sakri steel for the handgrip and placed it in his water barrel. The trigger mechanism would be over-simplistic since the weapon's main function would be a staff, and having an external trigger housing would be inconvenient.

"This won't be a masterpiece or anything, but Grams will like it." QJ grabbed his carving tools and carefully carved the staff with Dark Elf ruins. He has spent a summer with his Gram when he was younger. She had made him memorize the entire Matriarchal family tree. Each of these names he carved into the bone staff. When he was done he pressed gold flakes into the runes.

Finally, he placed the staff in his kiln. It would darken the bone staff a bit and melt the flakes into the runes. After ten minutes in the kiln, he pulled the bone staff out. Drake bone blocked heat, so it was cool to the touch despite the high temperature. He swiped the staff back and forth a few times. "Nice balance and very light."

He left the end caps off and opened his hud. A moment later Serli's face popped into view. "You still at Briar Rose Gram?"

Serli shook her head, "just entering your Keep. I wanted to stop in and see you before I left."

QJ smiled, "that's perfect then. I've been working on something. Come on up, I'm in my shop."

QJ used his burner to heat the end-caps until they glowed red, then he slipped them on. Serli walked in as he cooled them down the water barrel.

"Hey Gram, I was just finishing.." His words were cut short by a feeling of electricity in the air. The runes on the staff were glowing, making the hairs on his arm stand up.

*Ding 51*

Guns and Gore Announcement: All Servers: A Magnum Opus has been created By Sandhealer Faction Leader QJ.

QJ stared at Serli then down at the staff.

Please Name your Magnum Opus.

"Matriarch."

System Message: Your World Reputation has been increased by 100.

Guns and Gore Announcement: All Servers: Bask in the glory of a Magnum Opus.

Matriarch [ Magnum Opus]

Bone Staff Shotgun [Racial Treasure]

Specification: Dark Elf only.

Description:

The finest work of a Grand Master Gunsmith.

This weapon is made from Drake bone and

has been intricately carved in gold with the

names of all the Clan Jol Matriarchs. A perfectly

balanced staff that doubles as a pump shotgun.

Additional Description: When wielded by the current

Clan Matriarch, all damage is doubled. Weapon damage

is based on whichever skill is highest, staff or shotgun.

System Message: You have created a third Magnum Opus. You have been granted the t.i.tle of Gunsmith Scholar [+30 to Wisdom]. You may teach the Gunsmith skill to one person per year.

*Guild Speak Breeze* Holy Hannah...

*Guild Speak Sato* Teach me the Gunsmith Skill boss!

*Guild Speak Ringo* Nice QJ.

*Guild Speak Nina* Put me in for a Gunsword!

*Guild Speak Dessi* Impressive work Ace.

QJ ignored the guild chatter and held out the staff when Serli approached. "I made this for you Gram."

Serli held the staff gently in her hands, carefully she turned it over, reading each of the names out loud. "You remembered every one of them. I've never seen a weapon like this." She hugged her grandson close.

The door from Robin's office opened and she stepped in quietly. If she was surprised to see Serli Jol in the shop, her eyes didn't show it. She bowed her head, "greetings Serli."

Serli returned her greeting. "I see you are dressed up, however, my grandson seems to be..."

"c.r.a.p... Sorry, I lost track of time. Give me a couple of minutes." QJ ushered Serli and Robin back into the office.

Robin's laughter carried through the door. "Why so shy QJ?"

Serli smiled and watched the Songbird. Those that knew her would say that Serli had changed drastically when Quinn Riley had married her daughter. The man she referred to as her son had etched a special place in her heart. His son also resided there. "I like you Robin, you match up well with my Grandson."

"Thank you Serli." Robin looked at the staff that Serli held in one hand. The gold runes seemed to be pulsing with power. "I've never seen a nicer staff."

"It feels warm to my touch, not cold and hard like a weapon." Serli sighed heavily. "Quinn needs to father more children. I shall tell my daughters to work on it."

Robin wisely kept a straight face. "Mojo and Leah both could convince him."

The door opened a moment later, QJ stepped in wearing the same black tuxedo he had worn to the Ball. "Sorry for the delay."

Serli stepped forward and kissed his cheek. "I'll head back to the Clan now. I want the two of you to visit us soon."

"Okay Gram, thanks again for all the help." He waved as she logged out of GnG, then he turned back toward Robin. She was wearing a black dress that was sleek and very short. It was cut low in the front and the entire back was left exposed. "Your sister has excellent taste Robs."

"Do you like it?" Robin spun slowly in front of him, she wore her orange hair up.

"Yes..." He grabbed her hand and took out the token from the Casino. "Let's head to the portal."

Robin squeezed his hand, "is that the Phoenix Casino token? I heard about what happened at the Ball. How did you get an invite?"

QJ sent her an annoyed look. "Aren't I important enough to get invited?"

She laughed at the face he made. "Very important dear, I don't think anyone from OP was invited."

They walked out of the Casino and stepped onto the portal platform. "Well... I do own it, so of course, I'm going to be there."

"....." Robin.

He pulled her onto the platform and activated the portal. "It's a secret, so don't tell. Pretend you don't know anyone, and just act surprised."

They ported directly into the entrance of the casino. Nix was perched calmly about ten feet off the ground. His orange feathers were slowly burning with brilliant flames. A beautiful blonde woman in a long red dress smiled at them both. "Welcome my friends, to the Casino Phoenix Royale."

Her dark blonde hair was worn up in a style that emphasized her pointed ears. Pale blue eyes stared straight ahead, her hand casually resting on the shoulder of an enormous black panther.

"Thank you. I'm QJ and this is my girlfriend Robin."

Belle gestured for them to come in. "I hope you brought plenty of credits and good luck Mr. QJ."

QJ whistled softly when he walked in. It bore no resemblance to the vampire lair it had once been. He felt his hand being tugged in one direction, he glanced at Robin who was staring at the dice table. "Want to try your hand?"

Robin nodded, "let's hook up later."

QJ found himself a blackjack table and sat down. A man and woman were already playing. Ugly Kate was dealing.

"Want in sir?" Kate's green eyes sparkled with humor.

"Sure. I'm QJ." He already knew who the other players were. The young woman was the eldest daughter of Baron Schrae, one of the richest men in the Maelstrom. The man was a commoner who owned a trading company that ran caravans throughout the Kingdom.

********

An hour later QJ sat behind a large stack of chips. The other two players had long since retired. He glanced at the dealer's nametag. "Would Kate be short for Kathryn?"

"Hmm... yes." She sat the deck down and motioned at Belle.

"Got a boyfriend Kathryn?" QJ did his best imitation of a lecherous look.

Kate kept a straight face, although she wanted to laugh. "No. Are you interested in the position?"

Belle walked up to the table, her hands caressing the ears of the big cat. "Is there a problem Kate?"

Kate nodded, "either this gentleman is the luckiest person I've ever seen or he is counting cards."

"Oh I see, even through four decks. That is impressive sir." Belle smiled in the general direction of QJ, "cash him out for tonight. Perhaps you'd like to enjoy one of our other games Mr. QJ?"

"What?" QJ frowned at Kate and then at Belle and the big cat next to her. The big cat extended its nose toward him. He jumped back like he was frightened. Instantly images of toddler QJ riding the cat's back flashed into his head. Belle had to hold it tight to keep it from nuzzling him.

"Try the roulette wheel, sir." Kate smiled and closed the deck.

"Right... sorry for the confusion Miss." He tossed her a stack of chips for a tip and then headed out. He could hear the whispers of the other players.

"Did you see that? That beast was going to eat him."

"He was cheating right?"

QJ found Robin a few minutes later. Two men on either side of her were engaging her in conversation. One of them was the Queen's younger brother Zekial and the other was the current Commander of the Royal Guard.

A pretty girl with a serving tray offered him a gla.s.s of wine. A high elf with hair so pale that it was nearly white. She smiled when he accepted the gla.s.s. Her name tag said Barti.

"Thank you, Barti." QJ returned her smile, "that's an odd name. Where are you from?"

"Someplace nice, but very far away." She winked at him and then moved away.

"QJ!"

He turned when he heard his name. Robin had spotted him and waved him over. She flung an arm around his neck and kissed him deeply. QJ understood it was mostly for the benefit of the two men shadowing her. "About ready to go?"

Robin grabbed her pile of chips and nodded. "Yep, let's call it a night."

They found Belle and wished her a good evening. QJ glanced around the casino once before stepping onto the portal platform.

They arrived back at the Keep a few moments later. He smiled at Robin, who was still holding his hand. "Bet you didn't see that coming."

Robin shook her head, "well planned and well played QJ."

"You like that? Come with me and I'll show you the end result."

"Back to your house?"

QJ nodded, "we'll go there first, then enter the VRP."

They stopped off at his room, the house was dark and completely quiet. QJ accessed the VRP for the surveillance room and sent Robin an invite.

This time every camera was lit up and recording. The monitors showed every table and face in the casino. From here QJ could zoom in on any conversations he liked. Since it recorded in VRP, the same thing could be done later by Wu. Nothing anyone said would escape notice.

Robin licked her lips as she watched the screen. "It's an information network? I thought it was for the credits."

QJ nodded, "both actually."

She pushed him back onto one of the soft chairs and straddled his lap. "So secretive QJ, does anyone in OP know?"

QJ shook his head and eased the shoulders of her dress downward, exposing her beautiful white skin. She quickly undid his belt and reached between them.

Neither of them noticed the woman leaning against the wall in a dark corner. A huge magnum of champagne in her hands. She brought it up to her lips and took a long drink before sitting it down with a loud bang.

Robin had her arms around QJ's neck, all of her clothes were on the floor. "Yu?"

Daiyu staggered to her feet in the corner, careful not to drop the bottle. VR drinking had become trendy for executives wanting to blow off steam. It had the added benefit of waking up on time without a hangover. She smiled at them. "Oops, hey guys."

Robin knew Daiyu, but they had never really held a real conversation. "Going to share that bottle Yu?"

Daiyu nodded and walked over. She smiled when Robin took a long drink. "It's good right? You can't get that stuff anywhere."

QJ didn't speak, he shook his head when Robin offered him some.

"Oi... you two are naked." Yu sighed heavily, patiently waiting while Robin took a second drink.

"Hmm... yes. Want to join us Yu?" Robin moved her hips slightly, causing QJ to shake his head.

Yu smiled and took a seat next to them. "Not a good idea. Don't let me stop you though."

Robin's dark eyes danced with mischief as she kissed QJ deeply and started to move slowly once again. She bit his ear gently and snuck a peek over his shoulder. Apparently, Yu had decided to watch them. The lights slowly dimmed until only the lights from the monitors were visible.