CCS Courier
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Male
Ash Lands
The other half of a can of Zardines
431 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Caedes Oleander on Feb 25, 2024 17:59:37 GMT -5
One last click signals that the locks have been put into place; Mei narrows her eyes, slowly rising to the heels of her boots as the crash of stone against stone breaks the otherwise stillness of the room. Fish trots by to swipe up their coin, and Mei does not make any comment about the door or the lock process; she would prefer to be blown up than admit that they were right, actually. She steps in after them, trailing her gaze across old scrolls and dusty tomes; they’re crammed haphazardly within the space behind the locked doors in shelves and boxes. “ Godawful.” She mutters under her breath as Fish slides the door shut behind her; she breathes a sigh, her tone disapproving. “ What a way to keep your important historical documents.” She glances in Fish’s direction, cocking a brow at their language on the gods specifically. “ You get the best evidence of their uselessness by just looking at how they left things for us to clean up.” She remarks. “ But, sure. Useless gods and Scern. I’ll look.” And with that, the two split up to search. Mei casts glances in Fish’s direction now and then; watching them carefully peel through old tomes and old scrolls is interesting given their behavior thus far; and frankly, further contributes to their curiously hypocritical behavior. Their original precise, pre-calculated calculations versus their willingness to forgo more careful options to open a warded door on a whim, are two different sides of a coin. Who is this god damn bird, exactly? Mei dismisses the thought. She carefully maneuvers her way through the dusty library beneath the Sun Spire Keep, searching for the information requested. She's picked through a number of tomes and scrolls by now, carefully removing and replacing them back where they had been lying before. She carefully removes a tome from the shelf, letting her gaze brush through the shelf it’s sitting on; this shelf isn’t as tightly packed as the others.
A gap tilts a few books at a diagonal, as if something has been removed and not replaced.
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Zeinav
674 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Feb 28, 2024 20:58:06 GMT -5
"If they are supposed to be helpful, they have done a terrible job at it and now they are all dead. Fish cannot think of anything more useless." What Caedes sees as hypocritical, Fish sees as improvizing and strategizing.
Fish knew there was a path forward and it was the quickest option they had so Fish made a decision. There was a time for caution and a time for expediancy. They'd seen and heard plenty of people from the guild getting caught or hurt because they hesitated. Fish didn't hesitate.....which also had its own drawbacks, but good luck getting Fish to admit that.
The bird operates as the moment demands. There is a lot of useful information in the books for other jobs, but not this one specifically which annoys the bird. A book is tucked away before they look to where Mei is working, noting the slight gap in the shelf. Curious.
They hop over, little talons clacking against the tile and stare at the space. It is impossible to tell what could have been taken thanks to how poorly this place is organized. The missing book could be exactly what they are looking for.....or a book of the king's favorite recipes. Impossible to know.
"Fish is beginning to believe the information may no longer be here. As inept as Fish believes the Crown to be, it is not unbelievable they would collect any proof of Scern's claims and dispose of them. There are other archives in the city, but Fish was only paid to investigate this one. Fish will not do extra work for free....Maybe Mr. Zarius will know some information brokers who have knowledge of where a book like this might go if not destroyed...Fish is curious about what evidence is inside."
Of course that interest was solely in proving the young bird's bias against gods....and also any new information could help develop their God-Killer poison.
|
|
CCS Courier
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Male
Ash Lands
The other half of a can of Zardines
431 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Caedes Oleander on Mar 1, 2024 16:11:32 GMT -5
Talons clicking on the surface of tile brings Mei’s attention elsewhere; she glances over her shoulder to Fish.
“It is looking likely.” She agrees, shoulders rising and falling with a sigh. “This place is so poorly organized, it’s difficult to tell if more aside from this one were removed; but we’ve gone through enough books, none with references to the pantheon, that something feels off.” It’s not long after her comment that Fish explains they were only paid to investigate this library— fun. Sounds like the day is over— but then…
Mei feels her breath escape; did she… read Fish’s words wrong?
Mr. Zarius? Is that what they said?
She… can’t be sure; and she is not willing to repeat it, in the case she brings attention to his name. Her expression darkens all the same, pale gaze averting; she gingerly pushes the tome she was about to take out back into the slot where it belongs. “Be cautious whose names you put into the universe,” She remarks simply. “The Stablemen are out and about in full force since the Black Legion were released; it’s easier than ever to implement ourselves and our contacts. Darkveil has been a mess since the Capitol began to interfere in our business.”
She pulls back from the shelf, giving the ravenfolk a side-eye. “… I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir, and you already know that. I’ve seen much caution from you. It is just good to keep in mind the next time you are in the Ash Lands.”
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Zeinav
674 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Mar 1, 2024 21:11:32 GMT -5
"Fish is aware, Fish's sign language is not the typical form most would learn and names are coded. Fish is a profesionally." Mei would have been able to pick up by now that Fish's signs were slightly odd. The gist of their message could come across but sometimes the word choice or syntax of a sentence seemed off.
"The Crown has its hands in everything, but they are overstretching themselves to try and cover for what has been revealed....Unfortunately they have been smart enough to only give spoken orders it seems. Fish was not able to intercept any new messages before this job which is why this has likely been for nothing."
Fish takes one last look around the room before nodding to themselves. They had picked everything clean out of this place that they can. Fish motions for Mei to head out of the room first before following after and shutting the door. The bird presses their head against the door as they use their picks to reset the lock. If guards found out someone entered this place, then it would be even harder to get any information.
Slipping out of the keep is not all that difficult, between Mei and Fish's skills they can slip past the guards and out the door. The bird keeps moving until they reach a back alley to slide into. Without thinking, Fish climbs onto a few barrels to get eye level with Mei.
"Fish was not authorized by Mr. Zarius to handle your portion of the pay, you will have to take that up with him yourself."
|
|
CCS Courier
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Male
Ash Lands
The other half of a can of Zardines
431 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Caedes Oleander on Mar 18, 2024 20:15:03 GMT -5
“In a time where it’s difficult to trust even our closest contacts, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Good to hear you’ve already got safeguards.” Mei responds with a sigh, holding her hands up in symbol of surrender; to say that the arrival of the Black Legion and the Stablemen has bolstered her own paranoia would be an understatement. She hasn’t been totally blind to the oddities in Fish’s sign language — brushing up on her skills with Eirynor has been a lifesaver in interacting with the birdfolk, though she’s caught herself double-guessing their language more than once.
She supposes she understands why that had been, now.
She crosses her arms, turning her gaze to the side before glancing back at Fish; she catches the last part of their sign language, and shrugs. “It’s only a matter of time before the Crown gets sloppy; but for now, they’re making their mess our problem.” Disdain drips from every syllable in her response— a clear, unhidden spite for the Crown and its actions.
Once Fish decides their heist is complete, Mei heads out of the room; and while Fish resets the lock, Mei does her part to ensure the room is spotless— as if it had never been entered. She had hoped to find something in regards to the recent catastrophe in the Ash Lands by taking this job with one of Zarius’ apparent contacts, but… she blinks, and turns to follow the birdfolk when they’re done.
Between the two of them, escape is child’s play.
She skulks the shadows after the ravenfolk, only pausing when Fish shows interest in climbing up onto some nearby debris. She watches them while she slows her steps, red eyes reflecting white in the dim sun rays peeking between the buildings when she looks at them. She does her best not to let her expression shift when Fish signs at her and lets her know that Zarius— or more truthfully, the Rha’Oriyn— will have to handle her portion of the pay for this job.
“It’s fine.” She answers, ignoring the sickening feeling in her stomach while she maintains the charade. “I’ll take it up with him when I get back to the Ash Lands.” She runs a hand through her pale bangs in exasperation, shoulders rising in a quick breath as loose locks fall around her face. She lowers her head in something of a respectful bow. “If that’s all you need for now, I’ve got a ride to catch back to Darkveil. Should you need anything in the future, feel free to seek me out.”
She raises her head, “Although, you seem to be doing quite fine on your own, all things considered.”
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Zeinav
674 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Mar 18, 2024 20:58:00 GMT -5
"That is what the entrenched powers do, create more problems for the people on the ground without regard for how it affects them." Fish naturally was abrasive towards authority but the influence of characters like Izzy, Del, and Morrigan took that low bar and buried it six feet in the ground.
If Fish had facial expressions, it would turn a bit sour when Mei seems to brush past the mention of Zarius. People had been shifty around his name for awhile now and it was beginning to nag at Fish. They never had a lot of direct contact with the fellblood, the letter for this job was one of the last ones and it was already a bit old by the time Fish got it. An unfortunate consequence of keeping multiple homes and not establishing any forms of long distance contact. Maybe Fish would invent some way to send letters over the air...to devices you could hold in your hand....No that's crazy.
Still, it bothers Fish. If Zarius is under arrest somewhere, then Fish would naturally be a candidate to break him out. If it was something worse, then Fish was going to be even more mad for letting someone take out his greatest business rival first.
"Fish will stay for a day or so and do post heist recon...they could change their methods or perhaps get spooked and try to move something big. If anything changes Zarius will want to know." The lack of facial expressions this time make it quite obvious that Fish is staring directly into Mei's eyes for any flinch are change in her face as Fish presses again.
|
|
CCS Courier
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Male
Ash Lands
The other half of a can of Zardines
431 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Caedes Oleander on Mar 24, 2024 16:48:33 GMT -5
Fish stares at her while they sign. It’s a look that she’s seen before; interrogative, accusatory, inspective. She’s seen it time and time again in her line of work and used it herself to intimidate information out of her targets. Fish is expecting something, or perhaps trying to read her; and while they’re lacking in the intimidation factor, the expression does unnerve her to some degree. Perhaps because they reference Zarius.
She has absolutely no intent to speak honestly of what happened in the Ash Lands. With the Black Legion walking the streets of Darkveil, and the Stablemen searching for members of the Ashen Fathers to arrest, she's not going to put the Rha'Oriyn at risk. Even if Zarius might have trusted Fish, she has no reason to.
Mei purses her lips and snorts before she smiles lazily at Fish. “ We covered up fairly efficiently, so I’d be surprised if these dumbasses even notice the locks were picked.” she answers, rolling her shoulders to loosen her tense posture. She cocks a hip while she crosses her arms and meets Fish’s scrutinizing gaze. “ But, very well. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the vigilance... I’ll let him know to expect your correspondence on the situation.”
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Zeinav
674 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Mar 25, 2024 16:32:22 GMT -5
For a brief moment, Fish considers pouncing on Mei or brandishing the gun to try and intimidate the answer out of her. They decide against it though...this was someone Zarius trusted which meant they were a professional. On top of that, even as a quote unquote hardened criminal, Fish didn't really have the stomach for torture.
They also have a brief moment of clarity in that if its this secret then Zarius has his reasons. Fish is incensed that he would feel the bird can't be trusted with the information, but Fish would have to go to other avenues for that.
That's it....Fish would learn what this secret is then use it to blackmail Zarius. Wait....that doesn't exactly prove Fish is trust worthy. What if they learn it, but then never say anything?....No that won't work, then Zarius wouldn't know that Fish knew about the thing Fish wasn't supposed to know about, but still kept it secret.
"Dismissed then." Fish nods to Mei, holding on to their very miniscule position of authority just to maintain a bit of control on the situation and not spiral.
|
|
CCS Courier
IS OFFLINE
6
Renown
Male
Ash Lands
The other half of a can of Zardines
431 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Caedes Oleander on Apr 9, 2024 17:56:36 GMT -5
Blissfully unaware of Fish’s internal debate, Mei waits out the following stare from them in silence; she crosses her arms, gazing back at them with a narrowed but patient gaze while the silence between them lingers. She promised the Rha’Oriyn silence, and silent she will be; she never met Fish within Zarius’ lifetime and has no way to know his relationship with them past word of mouth. Word of mouth that, currently, can’t be trusted given the legion’s interventions in Darkveil business. It’s hard to know who to trust when she sees arrests on the streets of their doorstep daily. She tilts her head, smiling lopsidedly when Fish proceeds to dismiss her, and gathering the edges of her cloak in her hands, she gives Fish a polite bow of her head. “Alright,” she agrees, flipping her hood back over her head as she stands to her full height.
Her expression softens under the shadows of her cloak, minutely relieved by the end of this conversation; and as she turns to leave, she offers Fish a wave of a hand, and a few simple parting words: “Take care, Fish. It was fun,” before stepping into the shadows of the buildings, and vanishing amongst the gloom. (1)
(1) Shadow Walk
|
|