(Lynessa) You do what you gotta do to earn a little notice.
Seated on the shores of Lake Lovalus, Rharne serves as the home of the Lighting Knights, the Thunder Priestesses, and the Merchant's guild. This beautiful trade city is filled with a happy and contented people who rarely need an excuse to party.
The stench of filth and poverty was something that never really left this place, but Patrick grew out of it a long time ago when he and Dominek left this place. Ironic that the place they were born and raised in, also became the place his older brother died in as well. How many drunk nights were spent mourning his lost brother here? Too many for Patrick to count. But nowadays his visits were few and far in between thanks to the work he did, except here recently he found a particular interest in this side of the city.
Dust Town had many people that were questionable to know and associate with, and there had been a few Pat reached out to for old times sake. After all he and his brother had to work hard to get out of here, so he did at least have a few favors left standing when he came here. One such favor would be coming through today actually as he'd been careful with his planning, a meticulous change up in the delivery of some stock for a much private client.
One who worked as a supplier for a few dealers with dirty hands, so if Patrick's plan played out accordingly then he could set up a proper negotiation between them... and the extra party he intended to involve in this. Yes. Third party involvements were a tricky thing to set up, and he had to apply caution specifically in reaching out to them as well. It wasn't often that one tipped those at the cathedral off about a mishap with drugs, especially when they were under the impression that the drugs were medical instead.
Yes all of this meticulous planning and for what? Just to make contact with the Shadow Quarter. It was about time Pat made his presence to them known, a feat that he would've rather left undone if it were at all possible. But he had no second to pose as his own, so his own face would have to be the one for them to distinguish later. He stood within the alleyway watching, his shoulder leaned into the corner, as a few people were arguing about the fact the boxes shipped there... were in fact boxes that were never meant to be put there in the beginning. He felt amused and chuckled even as he just stood there, watched and admired his handiwork while he waited for the third party to come in.
When Lyn had accepted a curious little note from the courier yesterday and read it, she already had a slight inkling of what was to happen. Dutiful as always, the young woman had went immediately to one of the High Priestesses in charge that day. Surprise surprise, after seeing what was written on the paper, the older woman granted Lyn the authority to investigate. With nothing particular planned that day, there was nothing she could do but accept.
So there she was traveling down the stairs of Rharne afternoon to see what the anonymous tip was about. As she read over the note once again, it was difficult not to conclude that there was something fishy about it. It might be a prank or a trap, but if her superiors had decreed that it was worth checking out, who was she to say otherwise? Medical supplies were valuable enough that it would be better not to lose them.
“Once we reach the quarters, we should split up,” the young woman decided, glancing toward her stormbringer. Leth had forgone his knight armor for one that was much more common, something that most traveler would wear. In other cities, the pair seen together would not gain much thought by its citizens. But in Rharne, everyone knew well enough that priestesses travel with a knight as a constant companion. It would be easier to be inconspicuous alone. “Just keep your distance and don’t interfere unless I scream or something.”
Leth nodded. He didn’t seem to realize that his hand had moved to grip the hilt of his sword. “Be careful and don’t do anything stupid.”
“Oh, don’t look so grim. I am sure it is nothing we can’t handle.”
The letter did not specify where the exchange would happen, but Lyn at least had the foresight to contact one of the Priestesses’ informants in the Dust Quarters. Fortunately, news about such deliveries wasn’t exactly a close-guarded secret. It would have been lovely if her informant had known whether or not that this shipment was indeed filled with medical supplies, but alas the young woman would have to go see for herself.
It did not take long for her to find said location and soon Leth had disappeared entirely out of sight. No one paid much attention to the lone young woman clad walking down the streets - the sight of a priestess wandering down the streets was not an unusual one. She might seem unarmed, but her blades were snugly strapped around her calf – in case things went south, of course.
There she saw them. A group of men arguing with each other right where her informant said the package would be. One of them kept gesturing at the boxes behind them. Lyn guessed that it was what she was supposed to look for then. The young woman slowed her steps, hoping to get close enough without attracting any attention. Or at least eavesdrop on whatever they were yapping about.
Unfortunately, no such luck. She would have to think of something to get closer then. A part of her wondered if she should have requested for a handful of knights and demand to check the package instead. It would certainly faster and much simpler. Of course, that would probably cause some unnecessary ruckus.
“Excuse me,” Lyn started as she approached the group of men. She made sure to glance nervously around. “Can you tell me how I can reach the gates? I am afraid I am a little lost.”
Last edited by Lynessa on Fri Jun 30, 2017 12:15 am, edited 3 times in total. word count: 592
Patrick had obviously been the first to notice when his third candidate arrived, as the purple robes practically shouted the lass's affiliation with those up at the cathedral. Which meant that somebody took the contents of his note into consideration, well enough to send an investigator like he would've hoped for. Yet where was her body guard? Priests and clerics were always to be accompanied by a knight, so seeing her without one already raised a flag for Patrick. Had she planned to handle this alone or...
No. No she didn't appear that naive, certainly acted the part well enough when she approached. The men dropped the tone of their bickering, as one out of the few approached her to address the request. "Took a wrong turn cleric? Best head left down this road 'ere, follow the street and when ya take another left it'll take ya straight back." He instructed her as the others seemed concerned, the presence of a cleric clearly effected them the way Patrick hoped. That's what happens when one deals with drugs anyways. These men weren't fools. They knew good and well their supplier would be beyond pissed, especially of their goods were confiscated by the city for being contraband.
Where are you. Patrick wondered as he tried to discern a knight from the crowd, however he still had yet to see hide or hair of such bodyguard. Either she's played it smart and had him lay back, or made a bold move in comin' here alone. Ri. The fairy flew out from underneath the color of his shirt upon his beckoning. Do me a favor and scout out where her watchful minion went, lemme know if he's close or not while I save the day.
As he stood away from the wall the little fairy flew off into the street to survey the area, while Patrick rubbed his hands together to briefly run them through his hair. He'd dressed rather plainly in a white shirt and beige pants so that he'd look like any other commoner, yet when he approached he did so with a casual stride in his posture. "Nothin' t' concern yourself wit' here lil' cleric, just a mishap with our supply line we gotta work on-"
"Scuse me," The bartender interjected the man that tried to send the girl away, "Is there a problem here?"
"No, none at all. Just mind yer own business ser, maybe be a good Samaritan and escort this lady back home."
"Oh?" Patrick raised an eyebrow hoping to look all innocent and uninterested, his attention shifted towards the woman with a smirk. "Ma'am are they givin' ya trouble?" He inquired with a tone of forced curiosity, hopefully he didn't seem to suspicious in butting in.
Last edited by Patrick on Mon Jul 03, 2017 8:55 pm, edited 1 time in total. word count: 471
“Truly? This must be my lucky day!” the young priestess exclaimed excitedly as she took a daring step forward. “Our clinic have had a mix up too. We were supposed to receive some supplies this morning, you see, but the package that was delivered was instead filled with some raw onions. The courier said there must be some kind of mistake, he said we might find ours in the Dust Quarters.
The young woman turned her attention the deep voice approaching them. A man with strong jaws and a shadow of a beard. His little smirk raised a few questions in her head, but if this man truly a simple do-gooder, it might prove to be better for her if things went south. “I am alright, honestly.”
One of the men shook his head. “I am sorry, but I can assure that these are not the supplies you’re looking for.” She did not miss the way the rest of his friends straightened, finally focusing all their attention on them. There was something they were hiding, that much was obvious.
“Not even a peek?” Lyn pleaded, hoping to play the part of an innocent healer as long as she could. “I just need to make sure. I have patients waiting for these supplies, you know. And I have to be able to tell my seniors that I have searched really thoroughly.”
“This is none of your business, priestess, and I would insist you walk away before this gets unpleasant.”
Lyn widened her eyes innocently. “Is that a threat? I assure you I want to make no trouble. I simply need to make sure that those are not our missing supplies and I will be well on my way. If it’s not the supplies I’m looking for, I promise to keep whatever it is a secret.”
Well now that just took an interesting turn for Patrick, it appeared the priestess had intent to pursue after all. She had used the explanation that the clinics of the cathedral had a mixup as well. While the other men were definitely alarmed and mystified about how to react, Patrick himself nearly found it hard to keep down a chuckle at best. Nearly. He managed well enough though as he watched her, an eyebrow raised at her capacity to bluff on whim just as he did really. Whoever this woman was, she definitely had way of handling things.
"If they're not the supplies then what's the hurt in takin' a look?" Patrick reasoned aloud as he took a step forward, naturally the group of men stiffened with heavy eyes on him. That gave him incentive to pause in his step, as he already knew they were volatile about their cargo. He'd done a good job of setting this up but now, well let's just say now he hadn't any idea how to cool things off. Patrick had put such thought into setting this up that he hardly considered how to resolve the situation, so he needed to improvise quickly if he intended to see this through.
"Alright I confess," Patrick raised up his hands with a couple steps taken back, "I'm actually here because of the supplies as well. See I'm a friend of a friend to the guy you were suppose to send those to, so naturally I'm here t' collect and see that this be resolved." It was a long shot and he definitely had his work cut out from them, but hopefully he could keep up the bluff for long.
"Horse bogs. We've never seen nor heard o' you!" One of the men cut in undoubtedly thinking this to be a farce, just then Ri'ku speedily fluttered her way next to Pat. Found him. Second alley to the left.
Perfect. He responded to her carefully as he maintained an aggravated expression. "Call it what ya will mate, but if I have t' I'll get word from the guy m' self." He bluffed once more with his back turned to the group, he then lowered his voice to where only the woman would hear him. "There's not much time, play along and head back t' yer body guard. I'll make sure t' clue ya in on everythin' when this is settled." He gave a friendly smile and a wink to the priestess then, and when he spoke once again it was aloud for the rest to hear.
"Sorry ma'am fer the trouble but these aren't the medical supplies y' seek, they're actually just party favors shipped from Ne'haer honestly. Imported drinks and the like so that he can earn his living off them." Just as he said this he turned to the group of men once more, his approach made with a mix of confidence and arrogance in his stride. Like he knew what he was doing, when in truth, he hadn't the faintest clue about it at all. "Well, go on. Pull out one of the favors!" He issued for one of the men to do, they all looked confused among one another, and then finally one cracked a box open enough; to pull out what was yet again something considerably a party favor.
Booze. Thank Ilaren for booze. Patrick nearly sighed and lost his composure, but now would've been the worst time to do that. Arrogantly he took the bottle and approached the priestess with it in hand, presented it to her so that it would look like he'd legitimately came here for the shipment. He watched her carefully next though, hopeful that she'd either play along. If she didn't of course that meant this whole charade would be over, and then Pat would really be in trouble...
Lyn tried her best not to react as the man told her to return to her bodyguard. Alright, so this man was certainly not a passing do-gooder. He knew something she definitely did not and the thought was somewhat unpleasant. Had she stumbled into something much complicated than she expected? As soon as she finished the thought, Lyn realized that she probably did.
When they pulled out a bottle of booze out of the box, the priestess knew there was nothing much she could do, not without inciting something else. It was quite frustrating. “My apologies, gentlemen. I hope you understand that I had to be sure,” Lyn conceded with a regretful smile. She didn’t even have to fake her disappointment. Glancing one more time to the unknown man, she turned to walk away. “I shall be on my way.”
Without looking back, the priestess left somewhat slowly, hoping to hear the last bits of their conversation. As soon as she turned at the corner, she sped up. Lyn scanned the faces she passed. First things first, she needed to find Leth.
As if he could read her thoughts, a hand shot out and pulled her into an alley.
Before she could react, her mind was already recognizing the man’s deep voice. “It is me, Leth. Are you alright? What happened?”
Lyn folded her arms in front of her chest as the tension ebbed out of her body. The presence of her constant companion never failed to ease her paranoia. “Honestly? I have no idea. But I intend to find out.” They weren’t too far from where she was just now, but as she peeked out of the alley she realized that there was no way she could eavesdrop what was happening without being seen. Cursing under her breath, Lyn supposed there was nothing else she could do but wait and hope the man did not disappear once whatever it was ended.
“If you didn’t find anything, maybe we should return to the cathedral? Tell your high priestess it was probably some false information,” the knight offered, as dutiful as always. It was a good and sound idea, but the priestess was now far too curious to let it go.
So, she simply shook his head. “No. We wait and watch and see what happens next.”
Patrick could see it within her eyes well enough to recognize the confusion and resentment, in regards to being led to believe that she had little choice than backing out. If only briefly until he tied up loose ends here, he was sure he'd be able to clue her in on what this really would be about. He did after all need a few more friends in various places, if he could gain one among the clerics at the cathedral then he'd count himself lucky. Golden even. Because then he'd have access to certain information, but only if he could sweeten the deal by whatever favors the priestess deemed necessary.
No matter. Pat would be the kind of man to honor such an accordance, if he wanted mores ears to the ground or sky even; he'd certainly do whatever it costed to see that he earned such privileges. When the woman finally moved onward Pat gave a farewell notion with his two fingers, the cork of the bottle then opened with his teeth as he turned to the men. "Now then," He said with the cork in the corner of his mouth, "seems like you lot can do me a favor." He spat the cork onto the ground and drew closer to the group, a few of the men wary of his approach as he merely drank from the fresh bottle of liquor.
"Mm. Good stuff that." He complimented as he looked at the brand. Brandy. Not his usual drink of choice, but considering how close to success he was, he definitely felt in the mood to celebrate now. "See; I helped you lot out just now, so the least ya can do is help me in return."
"Yeah, why should we?" One of the guys posed as a means of intimidation, Patrick merely took another drink while unimpressed.
"Look mate let's just skip the dick measurin' contest here, pretty sure y' wouldn't be able t' match anyhow." He remarked as he tapped one of the crates with the tip of his boot. "See here, I know what it is ya shipped. In fact one could say I may have saved all yer asses, since that was a priestess from the cathedral here."
"So why didn't ya?"
"Good question!" Pat pointed to man who had asked. "I've been needin' t' reach out to a few people, get their attention so I can score an audience. The man ya need t' return this to has that ability t' help me, so naturally I want ya t' give him a message. Just a message, and then we forget this whole mix-up ever happened." Patrick suddenly felt his mind a little numbed, unaware that he'd already gone through half the bottle in his hand. The men looked at one another as if they were mentally considering the options, a few nods between each of them confirmed that they seemed to agree with Patrick... hopefully.
"What's this message?"
Patrick grinned next as he raised an eyebrow in thought; just what was it he needed to say, in order to gain an audience with someone from the Shadow Quarter? He considered it carefully and then finally when he gave an answer, the men seemed willing to relay the message as part of the deal. Either they were wanting to just be rid of Patrick or they were in a hurry to get a move on, either way the drunk felt happy to move along to put all that behind him. Now all that remained was just to receive confirmation, if not word, from somebody on the other side hopefully. Then of course there's...
That was smooth.
Not as smooth as this brandy. He remarked to the fairy as she guided him along to the alleyway the priest hid within, once he cut around the corner he approached with a hand in his pocket and the other still clutched on the bottle. "Sorry fer the whole cloak and dagger thing lass, I wouldn't have put ya in any real danger had I not seen it comin'." He remarked to her before he sized up the Lightning Knight accompanied with her. "Weeell, yer not half bad. Definitely would'a helped in a pinch, if things went bad o' course." There followed a bit of a chuckle as Pat took another swig of the brandy, his hand offered it to the two while he wiped his mouth off with the other.
"Guess I should pro'lly explain what that was all about then." He suggested in regards to the priestess and her role in the whole event, although he figured it best to let her get in any questions before doing so.
As she waited, the priestess was granted quite some time to think, to run through every possible scenario in her head. Clearly someone was giving her order false information on purpose to make her come here. But for what, really? They didn’t want her to find out what’s truly inside, considering that the mysterious stranger had prevented that quite easily. Yet, this man claimed that he would explain everything. Why? Gods, her city never disappoints in giving her headache.
Lyn was quite relieved that the man kept his word and found them in the shrouded alley. Tracking him would have been a pain in the arse. Sharing a glance with her knight, the young woman straightened and placed a hand on her hip. As always, she did the talking while Leth did the watching. “Who are you, really?”
“Yes, you definitely should.” When she took the bottle, the young woman turned it over, trying to find any sort of markings to know where it really came from. She brought it to her lips, wanting to make sure it was what he said it was. It’s simply brandy alright. Not that it helped her understand what just happened.
Lyn didn’t bother offering the drink to her partner, knowing he would most definitely refuse.
“You knew I wasn’t just someone looking for a mixed up package,” the priestess noted suspiciously. Lyn knew she was no master in lying, but she thought she did a pretty good job – she hoped, at least. If not, well, that mean she probably needed more lessons with her lovely mentor. “How? You seem to know why I was there, yet you send me away so quickly.”
Patrick couldn't help but chuckle a little when he felt so amused by the priestess, her presence there had indeed been a small part to play in the grander scheme of things. Yet there was more to her, so much more that met the naked eye. Patrick became well aware of this when she'd stated the obvious bits and pieces of the encounter, which was good considering many were too simple to observe such things. Within that head of hers resided a mind filled with resource, something that he could definitely see helping him out in the future.
That and... Well she certainly looked his type as well, that is if she wasn't exactly the clerical type she appeared to be. Pat could never really stick around those types of people, usually as soon as they started sermons on the Immortals, he was typically the first one to sleep through them at all times. This one though she didn't seem like the uptight sort that immediately wandered around, spreading the 'good word' of the Immortals which she worshiped. "Aye I did," He blatantly admitted with a look over to the knight, "I knew ya had t' be the one them higher ups would've sent. Not you specifically but somebody like ya anyways, which was exactly what I needed t' help get a message t' someone."
He held a hand out expecting her to hand over the bottle once more, whether or not she did he continued anyways with the explanation. "See I'm also yer 'concerned citizen' that sent the letter, knowin' good and well that the crap they were shippin' wasn't medical supplies." Patrick watched as Rei circled around the priestess with interest, a casual grin on his face as he pretended not to notice. "So when I saw you arrive without yer bodyguard 'ere, I knew you had t' be prepared fer confrontation. Somethin' I couldn't necessarily allow t' happen anyway, when I more or less just needed a face t' represent the order. With that accomplished I knew I got my foot in the door with the stock men, and thank Immortals that actually panned out better than I planned."
He had to admit with the shit luck he's had over the past season, he definitely needed a turn around right about now. "So thanks fer that at least, now I might be able t' make some new friends within a fortnight. I take it you'd like payment? I do have nel if it pleases ya." He offered with a smirk while he rested a fist against his hip, the other hand dipped into his pocket in case she'd decided on taking such an offer. Though Patrick had to admit he would've loved to pay her in other ways, ways which nel never really covered unless one paid him for that at the work place... which then it was all the more sweeter because he got paid for it.
Regardless he was a man who repaid those that helped him, and the priest did just that when she appeared at the scene. "There is also somethin' else if yer interested..." He finally added after a bit of contemplation, curious to know just how closely associated with her peers this woman really was.
Lyn could not help raising an eyebrow at the man’s light chuckle. As charming as he was, the priestess still didn’t let go of her suspicions. “Glad you find deceiving a priestess such a funny thing.” She tossed him back the bottle, feeling like she might need a drink later tonight.
As she listened to the man’s explanation, Lyn tried piecing the story together herself. For whatever reason, he wanted to corner these people without actually getting him into them into trouble. And he had gotten precisely what he wanted. She was not even surprised to find out that he was the one who sent the tip to her order. Sneaky. Lyn liked him already.
The priestess shook her head at the offer, smirking slightly. “Taking money from citizens is frowned upon, actually.”
“There is also somethin’ else if yer interested...”
She didn’t even need to think before replying. “I am. Tell me about it.” The young woman preferred to get to the bottom of things, leaving no stone unturned.
“The high priestess ordered us to report immediately once we found anything,” her knight pointed out from behind her just as quickly.
Lyn cursed at the reminder. Her seniors never kid around when they demanded to be notified straight away. But at the same, the priestess was far too curious on what this man had to stay. The decision was not that difficult to make. “You should report back. Tell her that the information was false and I am following another lead.” It might be a call that bite her in the arse later, but experience had taught it was much easier to get answers from a man without another man breathing down their necks.
Leth shot her a look, but nodded reluctantly. Not without glaring at the stranger, though. “If something happens to her, I’ll find you.” Without much of else, the knight left. Lyn still remembered the good old days where they would argue all the time whenever she decided they needed to split up.
“I can take care of myself, you know!” Lyn called out before she turned back to the her lead with a smile. “What is it you’re talking about then? And I still haven’t gotten your name, my dear concerned citizen.”
