RP:Arien Comissions Leigh

Part of the Birds of A Feather Arc

Summary: Arien is debriefed on the attack upon her merchant vessel, and commissions Leigh to the task of trying to track down the perpetrators of the act.

Characters: Arien, Leigh.

Location: Rynvale; Majestic Gardens

Leigh enters the gardens by rather unconventional means. She does not come through the entrance, but scales the cream-colored bricks and then stands upon the top of the wall quietly, surveying the interior. After a moment of silent searching, the huntress hops down onto the cool grass and begins a stroll towards the fountain. Why she hadn't simply used the main entrance to access these gardens was unclear, but the woman now stood beside the fountain, just out of the sprinkling water's range.

Arien’s approach along the walkway would be heralded by hushed but urgent sounding conversation,and the tred of multiple booted feet against the cobblestones. Her pale brow furrowed in concern and anger, and the governor was borderline harassing her Port Authority Comptroller for answers. “What time did she arrive in Port? Were you able to discover the nature of what caused the damage? How is it possible that -none- can give you a physical description of these men or their vessel?” An emerald stare all but pinned the rotund man to the spot, was he not hurrying to keep up with the governor’s fluid stride. “Answers Higgings..answers are what I need, and I can find only a preponderance of questions!” A sigh of exasperation escaped the female. “Understand..” she added in a more controlled manner. “If we are unable to nip it in the bud..we shall all but advertize our vulnerability to every idiot who fancies himself a brigand of the high seas. These villains must be made an example of..” Poor Higgins threw up his hand in helpless placation. “I can only report what I’ve been told Governor.. The ship leapt out of the darkness like a bat out of hell, and took them with scarce a shout. They knew what they were doing, this lot..”

Leigh : It now becomes clear why Leigh had chosen such unusual methods to gain entry to the Majestic Garden. She had been following Arien and her companion, keeping her distance so her presence remained undetected, and after determining the Governor's destination decided to travel ahead so that she could wait for the pair to run into her. It would appear to be a random meeting, but the huntress would know that she had set this up herself. So, as the voices become louder, Leigh turns to gaze along the path, the hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Sounds like you have trouble, Arien," the Lycan states, perhaps interrupting the conversation at hand. She moves away from the gurgling fountain, traveling towards Arien and Higgins. "You told me it was on the rise, but I did not imagine it would be something this irksome."

Arien turned at the sound of familiar voice. How odd that the day had come when she might dream of associating the voice with that of an ally, rather than a foe. “Leigh..” she greeted in tones more reminiscent of her established reserve. “I had not expected to find anyone in the gardens at this hour-but you are most welcome.” Especially if she bore with her some eventual decision on her willingness to engage herself in the coming struggle. “They have been little more than inconvenient neighbors up until this point,” she began, falling into step beside the lycan and encouraging Higgins alongside. “We have had little enough indication of disruption of the trade corridor for some time. The fleet security has held. It begs the question..what has changed, and how can it be fixed?” The governor, unfortunately, remained yet unaware that her Vice admiral-or rather, one of her personalities, might have become compromised with a personal connection to the Corsair. Turning to Higgins the elf directed. “Contact the Admiral..immidiately. I want a second debrief of that ship’s crew..and do communicate with her that I desire a meeting in person to discuss the situation,” she added. Turning back to the huntress she asked, “You are comfortable in the house I hope? And have you given thought to my proposition?”

Leigh can't help but to imagine the circumstances if her intentions had been anything other than meeting with the Governor without having to stoop so low as to request one. She could have easily launched a surprise attack and perhaps because she possessed that kind of predatory way of thinking even in human form, she had considered it while standing atop the brick wall. Thankfully for both parties, Leigh quelled her killer instinct and shooed away any lingering thoughts of revenge for any perceived injustices the Elf had caused to befall her. She now walked beside Arien and Higgins, eyes shifting casually between the one she knew and the one she did not. In answer to the first question she was asked, Leigh offers a shrug. "I have only been there once. It is comfortable enough, but I prefer to be near..." The huntress trails off, not finishing her statement, but guessing Arien knew what she had planned to say. "And yes, I have come to a decision on the matter. If the pay is to my liking, I will attempt to locate anyone connected to your current problems."

Arien would have been, perhaps, a vulnerable target in her distraction, but even in such a state the elf would have been well able to mount a defense. Fortunate indeed then, for those two, that they had found means to civil if not amicable resolution of their differences. A soft sound of satisfaction escaped the governor. “The pay, I assure you, will be satisfactory and as plentiful as it seems the sources of my current problem might be.” Arien glanced Higgins way again, a thought occurring to her in the moment. “Perhaps you might permit the Lady a few moments to intermingle with the crew of the damaged vessel, in a manner that does not bespeak of actual interrogation Higgins,” she suggested. “I know that they know more than they are willing to reveal, for whatever reason, to the authorities-perhaps a less conspicuous face, in a less legalistic setting might pry something useful from them.” The elf turned to face Leigh again, “Might this not be an agreeable place to begin?”

Leigh nods at Arien's suggestion and thinks it is a fine idea. "I believe if they have anything useful to say, they will say it to me. I find that just about anyone sitting on valuable information practically burns to spread this knowledge to the first willing ears he finds. The ears of an authority figure are the exception, of course." The Lycan considers her own words quietly and wonders if she still possesses the necessary finesse for extracting such information from perhaps tight-lipped individuals. It had been a while indeed since she had last mingled with the populace, infiltrating conversations and fooling others into thinking she was making idle chit-chat. "If the crew has no other useful bits of information, I am certain I can find the ones responsible for the attack through other means. They have left a clue or two, I am almost certain."

Higgins nodded in brisk agreement at the idea. “I figure the men have got to eat sometime, perhaps we can tell them we’re taking them to the Barrel, for a meal on the Governor’s tab. I’ve yet to meet a sailor who won’t want to blab about surviving a near miss…and becoming a hero in the process. Heh.” The man all but rubbed his palms together at the thought of the scheme. “I’ll be sure they know they’re to report back to the docks for the admiral’s debrief-or pay for their meal.” He finished. “In fact..I’d best be off to get those arrangements sorted, if you don’t need me anymore ma’am.” The portly man was suddenly distracted, feeling himself quite the detective. Arien’s lips curved in a half smile. “That will be all Higgings..” she said, releasing him, before turning to Leigh. “There is always something..as you said, and I do believe the trial will begin and end in Cenril. If not with Eliah directly, almost certainly with any of the brigans who have chosen to roost there. The sooner you get on the trail before it goes cold, I think, the better, no?”

Leigh watches Higgins take his leave before turning her attention back to the Governor. She clasps her hands behind her back and nods in agreement with Arien. "I am good at what I do, when I am properly motivated. There are few things that will escape my attention when it comes to a hunt, whether it be for prey or for clues." The huntress turns away from the Elf now, eyes narrowing upon the pathway before her. Something in her head seems to click and her mood shifts slightly. Where she had been rather calm and agreeable up until now, Leigh suddenly takes on a haughtier demeanor. "And perhaps there is something we should get straight right now. I am not your friend. I do not do this for anything other than the gold you will pay me. I will care about Rynvale's well-being for as long as I am paid to do so." For whatever reason, the woman decided she needed to make that clear. Perhaps it was due to something she felt whilst plotting with Arien that actually contradicted her words. It was more than a job and however small it may have been, Leigh felt a closeness to the Governor while they discussed their options. Her words, then, were likely an attempt to convince herself that she could not possibly consider Arien to be an ally. "I will meet with the crew tomorrow. They are probably too drunk to remember anything at this hour," she then says, falling back into civil mood.

Arien was not unfamiliar with pride, the beast that compelled, sometimes against better judgment, to one course or another. She had fallen prey to its clutch on more than one occasion. As such, therefore, she did not take offense at the unexpected and stringent declaration made by the former empress. “I would not expect anything less Leigh..and it is a service I am well willing and able to pay for,” she said quietly, no hint of mirroring coolness in her tones. “Your proposal makes sense, and we shall begin tomorrow. Should 5000 gold pieces be enough as a retainer? It should pay for your travel, room and board I believe..as you set about this task, as well as provide a resource for bribing what lips may be loosed with such.” The elf glanced over at the once more civil female, “And the rest of it can be paid in installments, every time you provide actionable intelligence. Does this seem fair?” She had learnt the hard way, that paying for a service in full up front, was one of the best ways to see that the service was never performed.

Leigh 's shoulders fall into a more relaxed position and her hands unclasp themselves so that her arms may fall to her sides. Apparently she was relieved that Arien understood their partnership for what it was. "I accept the terms of payment and believe it is more than fair," she nods, turning to fully face the Elf at last. She brings her right arm across her chest, her fist giving it no more than two taps before falling again to her side. Leigh was indeed a prideful creature, but she was also an honorable one and her display was meant to convey her willingness to commit fully to the job she had been given. No amount of bribes or threats would convince her to break the agreement she and Arien had reached. "I suppose we will be in touch soon, then. For now, I must prepare both mentally and physically for what I must do. Until we meet again, Arien." The huntress dips her head forward in one final nod before turning on her heel to leave.

Arien returned the salute instinctively, it was not one uncommon among the honorable warriors of most races and tribes. I will be in touch Leigh, and my secretary shall have your retainer delivered to the rental property in the morning.” A bow was sketched toward the lycan as she made to depart, before the governor too, with eyes lifted toward the coast that faced Cenril, made to leave the gardens. A peculiar smile danced across her lips, and a soft murmur unheard by any escaped. “Shall we dance then Crow?..” She had no proof now..but it would most certainly come. Of that much, she was certain. And then she was gone.