RP:Unlikely Philanthropists

Part of the The Dust Up In Cenril Arc

Summary: Their business is booming and becoming disruptive to itself and everyone in Cenril. Hudson gets an alarming SOS from Emelyan and checks it out, only to have to haggle with Elisilith, Emelyan's colleague, and professor-part-time-exotic-dancer, who controls the portal they use to move product in large quantities. Looks can be deceiving! Elisilith has a soft spot for orphans, and Hudson, on behalf of the partnership, agrees to "give back" to the Cenril community by helping fund her relief efforts.

Emelyan's Lab, The Mage Tower, Xalious

There's been a disruption to Hudson and Emelyan's business. First, the gangs in Cenril are in heat over the product, which has led to turf wars and distribution problems. Second, Eleanor had vanished, seemingly in an organized, intentional fashion. Just. Poof. (Hudson hopes that she's alright.) Hudson had attempted to fill in for her on the distribution side of things and had found the characters to be a touch unsavory, and at first distrusting of him because he was too clean cut. (He misses Eleanor.) Then after these cultural differences had been smoothed over, Hudson gad unfortunately found himself acquainted and on a first name basis with much of the darker side of Cenril. Like overturning a rock in the woods it had been, he regrets the knowledge of his new position, however necessary it is. These gangs are rough. Running your own business is rough. Then Josleen had quit because she was getting busy with some dude (he seemed OK, reflects Huds), so she had had to be replaced with someone temporary until a new girl could be found. And then, just when Hudson and Emelyan had gotten things running on the rails again, Hudson had gotten an urgent message from Emelyan. They of course write in code; Hudson had devised the code, it's sports-based and has no real cypher actually. So, the message had said: "Next series is complicated because a new player is jockeying to join the home team. Also having some problems with the stadium." ALARMING. Hudson hadn't managed to untangle anything further besides that something unpleasant had occurred and perhaps they were being blackmailed. So, he'd booked it to Xalious and the tower. Why was running a shady operation so difficult?

Elisilith was there to receive him, while Emelyan was working out in Cenril, transporting, and dealing far more easily with the shadier elements. He used fear, as well as profit, as incentive. The first man who had challenged him he'd burned alive in front of his friends with little more than a thought, and the rest went smoothly. It was too bad the same couldn't be done for the damnable Enchantress. Only Hudson had a chance in hell of getting them their portal. She smiled warmly to Hudson, still wanting him in her bed. "You know, when Emelyan found out he couldn't use his little portal anymore, I thought he was going to kill me." He almost did. Almost. The repercussions would have been far too great, however. A pissant in a gang was one thing. An Enchantress well established in a prominent mages tower was different. "I'm glad to see he sent someone more... sensible. I'd like to know a little more about this business of yours. Come to my quarters. I promise no one will be able to eavesdrop on us there, and I have refreshments."

Hudson's breath catches when who should receive him but Elisilith. Is she wearing a leopard print mini dress? Oh, yeah, he thinks so. He couldn't pay his woman to wear things like this. If for some reason such an article of clothing entered the house, she would be like, "lol, No," and throw it out sight unseen. His judgment has been suspect in her book (in his view, unfairly) since that Yule Ball. Anyway, Huds flashes the enchantress a grin. "He gets moody sometimes," he says, sidling close to kiss her on the cheek, as one does with ladies you happen to know and with whom you maintain a casually flirty rapport. So, pretty clear what's happened now. Elisilith is messing with their operation. He knows better than to say that outloud, so he waves his hand to nonverbally assent to her invitation. "So what's this all about, babe, you causing trouble?" says Hudson as she leads the way. Hello, this dress is all aces. Let's hear it for Elisilith's backside, her best feature, because it's definitely not her sparkling personality. "I haven't seen you in The Office in awhile, I missed you. My bachelor party's supposed to make a pit stop there, and I'll fall into a deep depression if you're not there."

Elisilith seemed amused by his candor, and had chosen her clothing well. It didn't represent her station here... but it served a purpose nonetheless. And though Hudson may not know it, greedy though she may be, Emelyan truly knew little about her. Why did she need the money? Why did an enchantress of her renown strip? The answer would be made obvious, once she was behind closed doors. Locked, enchanted, closed doors. "Come out, children." Shuffling out from under the bedside, from the closet, from behind the drapes, came little orphans. The ones who weren't ancient genius alchemists who could survive on their own. The dress got him in the room, but the cheshire grin was gone now. "I'll not mince words, Hudson. I will take a tithe for use of the portal. After all, I built the damned thing." Well, she was the largest part of it, anyway. The children were washed, and clean, but looked lost and afraid, one and all. "They came from Xalious, at first. It was almost a hobby of mine. Then I saw the streets of Cenril. The bloodshed, and what was left behind. I can't shelter them here, not much longer. And there are more. Far, far more. I need money, and I'm willing to do what I must to get it. Enchanting swords for would be adventurers, and baubles for stiff lipped magi pulls most of my funding, and my work at the Office, well." She shrugged. "That's more about connections." She didn't deign to elaborate further. "If you won't agree to the tithe, then the portal will spit out whatever you put in it a hundred miles out to sea. Now." She sat on a rather luxurious bed, and crossed her legs, looking for all the world like a reclining, predatory cat. "Shall we haggle?"

Hudson would never have guessed that Elisilith's secret lifestyle paid for the support of orphans, who are now crowding him. He visibly takes a breath, stunned by this maneuver. He has a bit of a soft heart, unlike Emelyan, maybe. "Holy," he exhales, followed by a word that cannot be printed here. These orphans are from Cenril!? Great, probably made orphans due to gang warfare, in no small part inspired by his and Emelyan's business scheme. This rings his guilt like a bell. He rubs his face, repeatedly. "The Office is about connections for everyone, I think," he concedes, digging into his pockets to give one of the kids a taffy that probably has been just baking against his leg an eternity. Since the last time Alvina washed these pants, definitely. He sags with a sigh as he faces Elisilith. "Unlike some I do have a soft touch," he tells her, lowering himself into an armchair that faces the bed. An idea begins to take shape, though, and he puts it out there. "How much would it cost to pay for an orphanage operation? That you'd run, obviously. I'm not saying we'd pay it, I just want to know. If it's an all cash operation, there's a benefit to us too."

Elisilith watched him like a hawk. She wasn't empty headed... she was sharp. "An orphanage. Mhmm. Cover for little Master Emelyan too, I suppose." He'd likely support the initiative, providing legitimacy to their business. "It would cost a great deal, depending on where you wish to put this orphanage. This town was built around this tower, and it is small. But with the portal, and some discretion, and a lot of magic... or more like, Emelyan's alchemy... It could be cheap. I've seen that monster make a building before. Didn't bother making blueprints, and it was as well built as a palace. His abilities are staggering." Hence her very real fear when he seemed like he might be moved to kill her for blackmailing him. "I can head the orphanage. I'll have to quit the Office, but that is no matter. I have others who can send the children who's lives you ruin my way. My reputation is good." She was a saint, to the people of Xalious. She pondered the question a moment longer. "I'll not deal directly with Emelyan anymore, however. Just you." Prudent, and wise. Emelyan had issues with self control... pyrokinetics and crazed geniuses both seemed to have such in abundance.

Hudson cants his head at Elisilith, sliding her an attentive look as she begins musing on the suggestion, elaborating on it, even. For a second, his gaze threatens to run a little south, naturally drawn by gravity/ a certain optical illusion created by the favorable cut of her dress and very likely a push-up bra, but he catches himself and gets serious before she's done. He rubs his palms together, has himself a rueful chuckle. (Thanks for talking about how Good At Life Emelyan is in front of me, Elisilith. At least I'm here for my good looks.) "Why don't I see if I can get this idea in his good books," he says to her, wisely staying mum on the subject of Emelyan's evil genius. "I obviously can't alchemy my way out of a paper bag, Ellie, so we need him on board. But, obviously we need your portal, so... let's see how far we get."