Kiga sprung from the edge with very little effort and landed without noise once more, on the wall beside her. He crouched, ushering her lower and scanned the yard before them. The large building was still simple enough, doors and windows here and there. He nodded as if agreeing upon something and then looked to Marlena.
Right. Simple enough. A solid choice.
We're here to spy on this transaction because the owner is a piece of shit that we don't much fancy. Problem is, it's in the cellar. We need eyes and/or ears on the meeting. This is your next problem.
Marlena lowered next to him, her fingers on the edge of the wall as she listens to him. She nods and looks to the building, her eyes looking for any opening other than a door. The only open window she spots is on the second floor, and whilst she knew the man next to her would be in there with no issues, they'd have to make it through the place without being caught.
She couldn't see much movement at all in the windows of the ground floor, making the door her easiest choice which bothered her some. Even if they did get into the building, getting into the cellar and watching the deal would be a much larger problem.
Yet again, I get the feeling you would do this easily on your own. And if I had been pointed to this man this morning, well, I'd have had an invite most likely.
But anyway, to get inside, that doesn't seem like a problem. Getting into the cellar to watch, well... Unless you have some invisibility trick up your sleeve, I don't see that happening so easily.
Kiga grinned knowingly and rocked back to rest on his haunches, one hand clutching the edge of the wall they were perched upon, eyes still peeled and being sure to watch for anything that... might cause an issue. He shrugged though.
You don't always have the luxury of preparedness. We need to make a move, so by your lead...
She gives a soft huff before lowering further and turning her body, her hands pressing to the top of the wall as she slides herself from it, hanging from it for a few moments and mumbling something about dresses and dignity before dropping to the ground below.
Her knees bend as she lands in the shadows and she turns quickly to check for any signs of activity, moving herself out of sight of the windows and pressing herself to the wall by the door, her fingers reaching for the handle and turning it slowly and quietly. The door opens a fraction and the inside is all but silent, the kitchen it leads into, surprisingly empty.
Kiga follows her, closer than her own shadow but careful to watch her rear. Her back side. Her... you get the picture. So, being sure that no one sneaks up behind them, he too slips into the house and with practiced silence, closes the door. He surveys the room and smiles a little, finding it empty. He speaks in hushed tones now.
The house won't likely be occupied. He has guards on the gate and is not expecting any trouble. He doesn't have a reason to.
Marlena nods, surveying the room. Three doors, one would be the pantry, another into the house and the third leading to the cellar. At least that was what logic told her. Her feet carried her almost silently to the door on the left wall, opening it just enough to see the hallway beyond. Closing the door just as quietly, she steps back towards her supervisor.
It's one of these two doors. I'm sure of it... Open the correct door, we could listen in at least. I still don't think there is a way to get down there without being noticed.
Her eyes danced from one door to the other, deciding quietly which one to try first before she moved swiftly to the door on the far right of the wall ahead of them, looking back to him for a moment as she opens it slowly, a smile forming as she hears a voice drifting up dark steps.
Kiga nods then and follows, slipping into the doorway and ushering her in and onto the steps. She knew to be quiet but he cautioned her anyways as he crouched low and pricked his ears to listen to what was being said. Half words, mumbled sentences...
Marlena follows him, her footsteps light as they travel down a few steps. She had no clue what information the man she was with was after, just things that could be used against this man most likely. Either way, she listened, but not what he was listening to. She crouched on the step behind her supervisor, her head turning occasionally to check to the door, her ears listening for any sound of movement from behind them.
Kiga beckoned her a little closer, dangerously close in fact; then listened as intently as anyone way. Their hearing picked up enough, drabs of conversation between whatever parties were present in the cellar.
"Hmph. Next time I want her younger."
"Sorry mate, they don't exactly grow out the ground, do they? She's plenty young, you have my word on that."
"Yes well, my clients pay very well for little girls. But I won't be paying you full price. She's already starting to show..."
"Look mate, that was not the deal. She's barely off her mother's teat. You want girls for whores, you've got them. But don't be trying to pull a quick one on me..."
Marlena furrowed her brow as she followed him, staying low and close to his back. Was he wanting them to be found? He was either stupid or sure of his skills. Either way, she couldn't get out of there without making some noise. She was trapped in this situation and she didn't like it.
She didn't like what she heard either. The words sent a chill along her spine and made her feel sick to her stomach. The idea alone made her weight shift forward and her hand reach for the dagger on her hip before she caught herself. No wonder this man wasn't liked, she'd kill him herself given half the chance.
Kiga looked back to Marlena and then motioned to make for the door, slowly. He had the stairs guarded from the cellar, looking prepared for most anything.
He said nothing, but waited for her to make her way back through the door.
Marlena glared at him, she wasn't much with the fighting skill, but she was more than willing to give it a go to take out the bastard in the cellar. She stayed there for a moment before gathering the skirt of her dress and moving up the stairs as silently as she could manage. Once in the kitchen, she turned and waited for him, arms crossed, working to restrain what anger she felt.
She nods and turns to the door they entered the building through. She stays quiet until her hand touches the handle and she looks back over her shoulder.
You might have to do that jumping the height of buildings trick and help me get over that wall though.
Kiga hadn't moved. His arms were folded instead and he was sitting with his rear resting upon a counter. He looked at her blankly, then shook his head.
You'll have to wait for me. I'm not done. Let me explain.
The person that owns this place is a legitimate business man, with plenty of power and money. He's been dirty for years and has gotten away with it, because he is connected and pays the right people. He's gotten away with it elsewhere, now he is getting away with it here.
We could report the incident and have no proof. We could let the Sentinels know and by morning, this place would be clean as a whistle.
But I tend to agree with the people that I represent. Some things, slavery being one of them; need to be kept in check. It goes against the basic principles of every living being and me personally? I'm not ok with it. It makes me sick. Little girls sold as whores?
Nowhere, is that culturally ok and I don't care which sick bastards say otherwise.
So. Wait outside. I can manage this.
Kiga rocked off the counter and laid a hand on the door to the cellar.
Now you can see why it's not about the money. Sure, you get paid. But that is never the reason to do what is right.