Marlena smiles as she realizes who Kiga is, nodding at the observation of working well together. It seemed fairly easy last night, though she couldn't help feeling that Kiga could have done it all himself and be a better choice to run the Tryst.
She wasn't going to argue it more in her head, just accept it and do what she could.
You said you could keep the Sentinel away. How exactly?
Grayell laughed a little more than, rubbing his eyes. Yeah, the difficult portion of anything in Wistvale was dealing with the Sentinels. Or namely, their captain.
"Ok. The Sentinels are big on law and order and rightfully so. Whether I agree it's the way things should be done or not doesn't matter, every growing town needs some militarized presence to make the streets seem safe. And in this town, they largely are.
They aren't foolish enough to think they can make the whole place crime free, if they could manage then they might have to consider what the questionable trade brings to the economy here.
But of course, it's hard to paint your new clique as anything but criminal. The Tryst have done a damn good job of keeping things under wraps though. Nothing but whispers of course and no one is stupid enough to think ratting the whole lot out would lead to anything but their being eliminated, Sentinel protection or not. It all sounds pretty heavy but you know, thick as thieves and all that.
No, you're legitimate and you have the papers to prove it. I know you're smart enough to operate well below the Sentinel radar and whilst they might look this way, they won't see anything but a big, glaring lack of evidence. They're not stupid enough, I hope; to drag a pretty young thing such as yourself - why; a loved and valued merchant... through the shit. No, they have to maintain their image and that means getting things done and some times, deciding other things just aren't worth the havok and chasing bigger fish instead. Violent offenders and such.
Sounds pretty simple and it is, except for one thing.
Captain Margrett Mikael.
She catches wind of the Tryst and she will be sniffing around like a hungry pup. She barks a lot and her bite isn't anything to be dismissed either. Heavy handed, sometimes thick headed. Likeable in her own way I guess.
So it's inevitable that you and her end up being familiar with one another. Kiga has dealt with her before, they don't quite see eye to eye. But you know, that whole lack of evidence thing. You know your rights. Don't be bullied.
But really, if you find yourself in a bind with her, you do one thing. You tell her you demand to see me. And you tell her I said so.
I'm not in the business of being a criminal. But you and I are going to clean up the underground some and make it actually work. She won't like the idea and with any luck won't ever hear about it; but believe you me... the town will be better for it.
It's this or the criminals carry on without any control method. They're a dime a dozen, the Sentinel can lock them up all day long and more will be in on the next ship.
No, you are going to get a handle on things, with my assistance."
Marlena sighed softly. There was a lot of information she needed to remember, not to mention all that sat on the table before her about the Tryst. It was going to take time, which she thankfully had plenty of.
Well then, I guess I should start learning more about Wistvale's less than desirable.
The first thing would be to deal with what is known before I go searching deeper. The tip of the iceberg so to speak. I'm sure there are others that are almost or as bad as the last leader. With him gone, there will be those hoping to fill the gap in the market for young girls and anything else unsavory that he was dabbling in. That idea will need to be gotten rid of, and quickly.
Grayell nods enthusiastically and fingers through the papers, producing one.
"I have a copy of this. List of dealers and buyers. And I will be taking care of it personally. But you might see to it that these people are ruined - from a reputation stand point. A little rumour here and there, sown in the right ears - when they go missing it won't be of concern to anyone.
That should sour the stomach of anyone else thinking slavery of any nature is a good idea. I flarbing hate slavers.."
He'd said that with a tinge of disgust in his tone and his expression reinforced that idea.
"At any rate. Be thorough to keep records on anything questionable. I mean the poisons trade isn't going to stop for anyone. You can buy the required ingredients in the market anyways. But if anything big move, unusual; be sure to keep an eye on it.
You don't have a lot of direct opposition presently. The community cares about supply and demand and well, if you're the supply then you're valuable. And you're going to be. In essence, you'll be the treasurer for the greater part of the economy within Wistvale.
So you can set the pace. You decide who trades and for how much. You're going to have your hands full but with your savvy. I think you might just enjoy it."
Marlena smiles and leans forward to pick up the list, a few more pieces of paper being picked up as well, her thoughts already going to ways she could ruin the social standing of these men. Grayell was right, she would enjoy this. She was beginning to look forward to getting stuck in.
There is no reason not to enjoy it from what I can tell.
It will take a while... A few weeks maybe before the clean up can truly begin. I will need to get myself acquainted with the locals and gather more information. Unfortunately, there is nothing on these papers except names, dates and times of deals, and what they are selling. I'll need more than that. At the very least, I want more than that.
Grayell nods politely enough and then looks about expectantly.
"That's perfectly reasonable. You do this your way, I am not in charge. I just have a vested interest in seeing you accomplish this in a beneficial manner.
Now, I know I am the guest and all... but you don't have anything to drink, do you?"[/i]
Marlena laughs softly and shakes her head, laying the papers down on the table.
Unless you wish to risk drinking what wine and other drinks were left behind by the rat that lived here before, I put forward that we head to the tavern. I think a drink is in order, and I do believe it is my turn to pay.
Grayell thinks about that for a long moment.... and then sighs some.
"I am going to have to pass. I don't frequent the tavern and in all honesty, you being seen with me on one occasion was risky enough given what you're about to undertake. No, you need to very carefully start perfecting your persona. I know you already have it down but I also know you understand the dire importance of it now - moreso than ever before.
I'll be on my way and will leave you to enjoy other company. You'll see me soon enough though, I am sure."
Marlena gives a soft smile and nods in understanding. She stands from her chair, offering her hand to him. She was more relaxed, his motives making her trust the situation. He obviously had to the power and standing to change it all if he wanted. She'd seen it already. But she didn't feel like he would anytime soon.
I look forward to it, Grayell.
And again, I have to say thank you. It may be that this is set up by you to benefit this town, but it's given me a home. I hope this works.
Grayell smiled and offered a hand in farewell, slipping something into her palm as they shook. A small, reed whistle. He then made for the door, halting in the frame to study the sky.
"You're going to do fine. Better than fine. I have faith in you and I know that might seem foolish... but I am going to follow my gut on this one."
He turned back and winked, giving a cursory nod.
"Right then. I have to be somewhere else. Following up on some of that intel. Getting started will be easier than you realize, as far as potential threats inside the Tryst go. Good Riddance to bad rubbish and all that.
You need me, you let Kiga know. You need Kiga - you just whistle.
Be well Marlena."
He stepped out the door then and with a glance left and right as he reached the gate, he bounced onto a cart headed down the street, to the surprised smile of the old man driving. One last wave and he was gone with the flow of market-day traffic.
Last Edit: Jun 11, 2012 10:32:33 GMT -5 by Grayell
Marlena closed her fingers around the whistle with a nod and a smile. She stands by the door and watches him as he heads out onto the street, turning as he disappears from view, closing the door behind her before heading back to the sitting room to take another look at those papers.
Kiga was sitting across from her, looking all too comfortable and peering about the room. He smiled in a boyish manner and waggled a finger in greeting.
Marlena stops walking just for a moment as she registers Kiga's presence, She would have asked him how he got in if she thought he would tell her, but that was unlikely. Instead, she gave him a smile and continued to pick up the books and papers on the table.
She settled in one of the deep chairs, her legs curling beneath her as she begins to read.
Hello, Kiga. I didn't think it would be long before I saw you again.
Marlena looked up and placed the papers on her lap, watching him for a moment before answering him.
Learning. Memorizing. There's a lot of shady characters in this town, and I'd be stupid to think that this is all of them. If I familiarize myself with what I have, I can start to build on that knowledge.
Hmm... I should take you to go find a room for you, but I figure there's enough for you to have a different one for each night of the week. And you don't strike me as the type to spend much time indoors, let alone in a bed. So, as long as it's not the master bedroom, you have whatever you choose.