RP: Checking Out the Trades

Mahri stood just inside the gates taking in the expanse of the trading company. The hustle and bustle was fun to watch. The merchants going about their business and seemingly oblivious to what the lycan had planned for changes. Each space was like an individual store; some looked more clean cut than others and it was the ‘others’ she was focusing on. The ones who did legitimate business but for a bit of extra coin, didn’t have a problem doing things off the books. The place was considerably huge with lots of potential for storage if she did a bit of reworking. Men and women walked past her position, barely acknowledging that the woman was even there.

Nortengaal , as luck would have it, was himself not terribly far away from the trading company. Well, not luck so much as his sense of smell and his aiming to find Mahri once he’d scented her while out and about. And why would he be searching her out instead of leaving her be? Truth be told, he was more than a little bored, and he was hoping she might be free for some martial training. His hopes for such an evening faded a little bit as he came up on the place his nose lead him to. “The trading company eh? Wonder what she’s lookin for today.” Passing the gates Nort walks over to where Mahri is standing surveying the area, and he stands silent for a moment, joining her in gazing about before he says anything. “Interesting place here eh?”

Mahri smelled Nort before he came over so she wasn’t surprised or startled when he finally spoke. “It’s big,” she agreed. Mahri pointed out a boot, the merchant didn’t look as successful as some of his competitors, but he didn’t look like he was starving either. “That guy, there. He has a smuggling business going on. His wares are legit, but certain items are duplicated and hollow. His scent and body language changes every time someone comes up and asks if he has one.” A few booths down and kiddy-corner from the one she pointed out, Mahri continues, “That one? He’s selling fakes and knock-offs of fine cloth to tailors and seamstresses. There’s a lot of things going on here and I need to make them my own business.” The legitimate merchants she’d leave alone for the most part, maybe work out a small cut for some of them to look the other way – perhaps a generous donation to the Merchant’s Guilde and a few well placed words would go a long way. Nortengaal ’s eyebrows raise up a little in a show of surprise, though the rest of his face remains relatively neutral. It’s not the information about the vendors that has his brows raised, interesting though that is, it’s Mah’s apparent designs for the area that’s done it. He’s about to make some sort comment on her being ambitious, but he stops himself, considering a thing. Is it really any more ambitious than creating an arena of dubious legality in a bar basement? Well, maybe, but the point has been made. To himself. He might still be a touch mentally floaty from earlier in the day. “Is it rude to say i wouldnt have been surprised if you’d told me you already had some business here?” He chuckles a bit. “Anything i can do to lend a hand, just let me know.” While he certainly doesnt doubt her capabilities, it never hurts to have a literal bear of a man waiting in the wings. Mahri grins up at the bear, “Thanks, Rug. Can’t hurt to have a bit of muscle at my back, just so I can maintain a certain image.” She certainly didn’t look like she could be dangerous in most cases. Maybe she could get some lessons from a Swan on how to appear even more…well…helpless. Just a woman running a questionable business. “I’m not ready to make a move yet, but when I am, I’ll let you know. I need to know more about who really runs the place.” There’s always one, the unspoken boss whom the others defer to.

Nortengaal nods with a grin of his own, unconsciously cracking the knuckles of one of his hands. A moment passes, and the grin fades into a slight frown of concentration as his thoughts start to churn, the ghost of a vaguely remembered conversation floating to the surface, the recollection triggered by the last thing she said. “Who really runs the place…” he mutters, bringing his hand up to his chin to rub at his stubble. What was it that drunken servant said weeks ago…something about a pair of folks behind the scenes…Ah! He all but snaps his fingers as the memory coalesces enough for him to make use of it. “I think it might be ‘bosses’ actually Mah. Twins, if what i’m remembering right now is accurate.” A slight shrug is given almost by way of an apology. “Cant promise it is, but it’s worth lookin into.” Mahri becomes thoughtful a moment before turning to look up at the scruffy features of the bear. “Twins?” Had she seen anyone who might be twins? Not any that were identical so far, but there had been a few she’d noted had a certain look about them. “It is worth looking into. Thank you for the information.” Looking past Nort, Mahri sighs and tilts her head towards the gates leading back out to the street. “Suppose we should head out. Don’t wanna draw too much attention since we aren’t doin’ business with anyone yet.” Or maybe she did want to draw attention – to the ‘bosses’. Just, not quite yet. Nortengaal :: “Any time Mah.” Truth be told, a not insignificant percentage of the info Nort gathers in his travels comes from bars and taverns, and he has long since learned to take what he hears with a grain of salt. Which is not to say those places arent a treasure trove of information, it just means you gotta look at it harder before you do anything with it. Regardless, he’s glad to have been of particular help today, and his signature easy smile appears as he nods, turning to head out of the gates. “Care to join me at the Barrell?” His smile gains a mischievous air. “I get the feeling it’ll be quite interesting there this evening.” Whatever could he mean with such a statement? Only one way to find out!

Mahri paused just outside the gates and considered the invitation a moment before regretfully shaking her head, “I can’t tonight. I have other things I need to do. But tell me about when I see you again.” Turning down the road, the opposite way of The Broken Barrel, Mahri waves farewell and slips off.

This is a Rogue's Guild RP.