RP: Profit & Problems

Part of the A Few Fox Tales Arc

Summary:Ina finally stops procrastinating and talks shop with a snek.

Loft

The stairs lead up to a cozy little loft, overlooking the main part of the house. The intricate patterns carved into the stairwell continue on to the railing that prevents falls. Looking closer, you note hundreds of intertwined leaves and rosebuds and marvel at the skill and patience required for such minute detail.

Ina might be squatting in the loft of a derelict building, but it's at least getting the gradual appearance of an actual abode. In one corner lies a straw pile topped with a few messily cleaned pelts, whilst in the other rests a clearly scavenged chair- the likes of which has her pack, a small pile of books, and a bushel of apples to keep it company. The fox, however, is in neither spot- instead resting sprawled out on her back in the midst of the room, specifically, on top of a shoddy, dented-up desk that looks like it was clumsily dragged up a flight of stairs. Every so often, she kicks one of her legs- clearly impatient as she awaits the arrival of her prospective business partner. She'd sent the message that she'd found a potentially lucrative situation to exploit. Now she just needed to get everything lined up.

Xzavior had read the note with skepticism of it actually being anything useful. Yea, she was a thief. She would have an eye for this sort of thing but he was close to achieving something he had been very reluctant to do in the first place. Return home. Long story. So when he found the note, he took the time for one small detour before finally heading that way. Making his way up to the loft he looked around to see her lying there before smirking and hauling himself up the rest of the way, "So. Something you want to tell me?"

Ina is practically beaming when Xzavior 'announces' himself, one arm languidly waving in his direction, “The hot-blooded cold-blooded mage. Or would it be the other way around, I wonder? Anyways- yeah, I was lookin' at Kelay, 'n if I was reading the board correctly- it looked like someone was wanting to pull something stupid. The sorta stupid that involves bustin' out a felon that -I've- heard of. 'N me? I'm jussa humble traveller that ought to be blissfully unaware of anyone, really.” There's a weird flourish of her arms, as she swings up into a sitting position, before they end in a simple clap, “If I -am- right, and they are intending on doing something risky like that. They are probably gonna be lookin' fer weapons, and manpower. There's a pretty penny ta be had there- especially iffun we play the cards right, and subtly. ...And if we can wrangle some funding out of them, that also means further bits of tinkerin' basically pays for itself.” She's grinning broadly, at this point. “'N hey, if they go out 'n get murdered or show off any of your wares- you can just claim it as stolen property...whilst also having a bit of..combat testing for after we've changed things around.” Her little spiel done, the fox proceeds to let out an overly long exhale, and then proceeds with, “Speaking on that, though- I was gonna be askin' your help to figure something out, before we then find n' kill something. My forte for the forge is sorta-...visceral.”

Xzavior looked at her with a raised brow when she started going on about the way his weapons were made and such, "My wares are something that aren't hard to make. As long as you have the skills I do." He held out a hand and a dagger of ice formed from his palm. Testing its weight he tossed it into the floor close to her to look at it more closely. "No need to hide how I make it." However, the details of what this job was only made him frown. "I want to know all the details of it." He was pretty sure he knew what this whole thing was. And if he was right he wasn't so keen on getting it done.

Ina actually smirks a bit, “-Your- wares aren't hard to make. But I can bring something a bit more...peculiar to the table, if we make somethin' together, 'n that's what I'm proposin'.” Nonetheless, she slides off from the desk, and casually scoops up the weapon, if only to make some mock stabbing poses while wielding it, “Anyways- I haven't directly dealt with 'im yet. Didn't seem prudent if I couldn't get a better feel fer the situation. I just snooped around about what it -could- be. Which, yeah, if the 'muzzled' comments are anythin' ta go by. Someone's looking to spring one of them loony lycans that got such a bad rep. Not a safe gig, ta be sure- but they apparently had followers, 'n that means resources. Cash, bodies- all that good stuff, ya know?” She makes another thrust with the dagger, before abruptly turning on her heel, and flouncing across the desk. “Now, I'm not sayin' ta go 'n jump into their affairs. Not without a -helluva- lot of money ridin' on that. I got no interest in swingin' from a gallows, ya hear me? But, supplyin' a bunch of malcontents with a bunch of weapons, all of 'em modified in a few ways, ta see how they hold up? 'N getting -paid- ta get someone to field test. Now that is right up my alley. 'N if you were willin' ta support me in that- 'm pretty sure I can at least make a few sales. So, I suppose my big question is- ya got any sorta moral scruples, and just whatcha willin' ta get up to, for profit, 'n a bit of knowledge.” There's that grin again, bigger than ever, “Well, and a whooole lotta fun, ta be fair. Nothin' like rabble rousin' ta stir a restless heart.” When she laughs, it's akin to music, merry and without reservation.

Xzavior cursed in a laughing manner, "Damn it. So now the guy is recruiting whoever reads the board? Are they that much of an idiot?" Obviously, this meant he knew what this was all about. "I am not accepting that job. I already declined the person who put that up on the board. I am /not/ one of Desparrow's followers." He snarled. Which also meant he had some history with the guy. "That man can rot in that cell. Not because he destroyed, and ended up killing hundreds if not thousands of innocent people. No. The man has a superiority complex the size of his over-compensating castle, he calls himself a god, 'nature.'" He scoffed before shaking his head. "Since when does a god or nature get locked away in a cell?" He had started moving towards one end of the room past her before saying, "Not only that, but he is the reason I'm lost in my own mind."

Ina shrugs a bit, legs kicking over the side of the desk as she listened to Xzavior fire off his reasons. Sure, it gave a bit more context to the whole pile of lunacy- but it also meant she had an in. “I'm -not- suggesting we run in nilly-willy, and get ourselves murder ganked. I like living. The world would be a harsher, and crueler place without me shufflin' through it brightening the whole thing up, y'know?” Somehow, despite the fact that she's in the process of hugging herself and slowly wiggling back and forth, she's managing to maintain an utterly serious expression and tone. “Aaaaanyways. No, I'm not suggesting we get directly involved. I'm suggesting we -sell- the person orchestrating this bit of madness some weapons. ..And tinker with 'em a bit. And see how they hold up. 'N if it bothers you that much, you can then say some of your experiments got jacked by one of this Desparrow fellow followers, 'n sell your wares to the -other- side, to even the odds. And...y'know. Rake in more profit. Ehe. The bottom line is- we're gonna need some guinea pigs for my tinkerin'- and If we can get paid for it, it works out. 'N if things fall apart, and they die- whether because of an innate failing... “ Here, she pauses, and glances meaningfully at Xzavior, “Or 'cause your wares just -happen- to reach their limit in the midst of their little project. Well... We get useful knowledge and money. And the world keeps turning cause we're nice 'n safe. -That's- what I'm saying we do.”

Xzavior looked back at her with a hard look before sighing and turning to face her, "You're lucky you're new here. Your idea is a good one but there is a big flaw to it. I know two of them. One is the high priestess of the Underdark. The Drow. She is not going to be helping in any way. As far as I know. The other, the one who sent out the letters to them all including myself, is a literal ring leader. Of a circus. Don't get me wrong she seems like the type that can kill with ease. In any case, these people aren't going to need weapons made for them. If anything they'll need the odds and ends to get in there. But that ring leader is also a very high-class thief herself. I wouldn't be surprised if she has her own kit. The plan could work but we don't have what they need. Weapons and magic tend to find their own way into someone's hands in this place." He had thought about it for just a moment but he knew right away that the plan was going to be hard-pressed to work. Even then, he might have to actually be there to pull it off.

Ina lets out an overly dramatic sigh, before she promptly flops onto her back, “Well, your weapon is mutable- right? What's to stop it from being able to adapt to being an odd or end? If it can shift 'n all, ya could make a pretty good skeleton key out of it. Well, less it was warded against that sort of thing, hrm. Like, can I make it shift, if need be- ta what I will it to? Or is that just you?” Nonetheless, she doesn't quite seem as enthused anymore, “There's a profit to be had there- if the drow are involved, they're a pretty rich backer, if they're the same here as..well. Hrm.” Her head tilts off to one side, “Just seems like there would be a lot to tap in there- if we could swing it. And nothing's better than getting in the good graces of the rich 'n powerful.” She pauses, then, before casually staring over towards Xzavior again, “Hypothetical thing- 'n all. Question, I mean. If you had to think of a critter, or three, that might have a knack that could help these folks- what would it be?”

Xzavior shook his head, "They can only change under my command. Well, with my process or melting and reshaping it rapidly. If we could find a way to replicate that then perhaps we have ourselves a good-to-go plan. But until then, I'd have to be present to manipulate it. And doing that to multiple things at once is not fun. And by creature you mean actual creatures?" He asked confused.

Ina gets another smile, though perhaps more subtle than before, as it's a brief flash of canines before she resumes a more demure expression, “Yes, like actual creatures. Unnatural, preferably.” Her eyes seem to flicker a bit brighter, almost glowing emerald as she suddenly begins to clap, “Like perhaps something that you might associate with -change-. Or permanency. Or..Oooo, energetic. Just something- I guess. And please don't say dragons- that'd be so much awful work.”

Xzavior looked at her with a raised brow, "Rebirth. The Phoenix. And there are dragons running about. Not sure about Phoenixes though. Haven't seen one in ages it seems." The topic change was a weird one but gladly accepted. He was done trying to discover how to sell a sabotaged weapon or whatever. Too much work went into and is going to take a lot more to do it. Fun right?

Ina actually sounds thoughtful at the mention of a phoenix, scratching at the underside of her chin for a moment, “Well, I mean- they live in mountains, 'n volcanoes in folklore-y stuff, right? 'less that's different here. I mean, I -think- that could work, but that might make one of your weapons -really- funny. That would make a good experiment, though, yeah. Cause it's hard for you to maintain one of those weapons- but what if its enchantments could just...rebirth themselves. Or explode into superheated steam. Whichever. Okay- so, let's think of something -not- fire related. I mean, I'd say a golem, or somethin' maybe- if ya get any of them funny earth elementals running amok. A pile of walkin' sentient stone's pretty good for y'know...lastin'. Are there any? If not, this is gonna become plan- find a firebird 'n try not to die.” Good stuff. Good stuff.

Xzavior nodded to her question, "Of course we have golems. Not many people use them or make them but they're around. I'm sure if we looked about, we'd find one.

Ina stretches out a bit, her arms trailing off the side of the desktop, “Arright then. So project-wise, I'd suggest we find somethin' like a golem. S'long as it was built to last, and is a bit willful it'll suit our purposes. We nick one of them, n' I think I might be able to make something out of it that's worthwhile. 'N that might give you a good idea of what I can do. What -we- could do in tandem. It'll be fun. Just, well, find us a mark, I guess. In the meantime, Imma sees if I can grab any more muscle- since right now, I just got a voracious floating eyeball that sets stuff on fire and is paid in critters.”

Ina said to Xzavior, "Not that there's anything wrong with Blinky. He's a diligent worker, 'n jazz."

Xzavior said, “But now I got to ask, what are you planning? Because if you want a golem made I can do that myself. But, you know. It wouldn't be self-automated."

Xzavior was about to agree with her on getting some additional help before she said something about a giant floating eye? "What about an eye? And what about it eating things?" That was just too far gone. No way that could possibly existing any way right? Not even by necromancy. So weird...

Ina shakes her head slowly, which looks sort of odd, considering she remains flounced on her back, “I need ta -dismantle- one, not make it. There's something vital in things which make them..well, what they are. I can work with that. S'my knack. That's all. So I need your help ta find 'n put one of those things in the ground, fer this lil project.” She pauses, and casually responds, “I have no idea about the eye, ta be honest. It looks like someone made it outta scrap- but whoever the original creator/owner/what-have-you-is. Well, they either ain't around, or alive ta keep an eye on their little critter. So I sorta...hired It. I guess. I am a people person. Sometimes.”

Xzavior hummed before asking, "Lemmie guess, it's the same knack that you told me about the first time we met right? Well, I'll see what I can't find out about the golems then but I still want to know what it is and that eye better not be apart of your imagination. I don't need some crazy partner in this underhanded field." He muttered as he turned towards the loft entrance, "I must be leaving soon. Anything you need to add before I go?"

Ina actually looks a bit puzzled, “Different knack, actually- more something I picked up from my cousin's mother. But, well, I was always rather fond of her- and he was too busy playing ...soldier. The knack -you're- referrin' too, just helps with me being a people person, 'n vice versa.” She can't help but grin a bit at that, before her attention flicks towards Xzavior again, “I'm fine. I just find everythin' that everyone else is too blind ta see. Anyways. Nah, just find golems, 'n anything else you think might be useful in the long run. We can search it out. 'N if you know the person that made that postin'? Investigate it- maybe you can shake down some easy money from that lead, without having to put your neck on the line. Iffun ya know what she wants, I'm pretty sure I can work something out from there. S'what I do.” That said, she offers an aloof wave to Xzavior, "Got anythin' ya need of me, in the meantime?"

Xzavior shook his head, "Actually, the one who posted it is probably this mysterious being who gave a stone tablet to read instead of a note. But I am all set. If I need anything I'll find you. Good night." With that, he headed down and out of the loft. Bit of productivity for the day.

Ina can't help but call out after the mage, “Seeeee ya later.”