Coin chase

[Whizzlesprocket]

She crossed her hands over her chest, glaring at him suspiciously. "Ya' got some nerve, lad. That's a awf'ly complicated way'a gettin' wif a gal." She shook her head, rolling her eyes and continuing before he could respond. "I'm kiddin'. If ya' were doin' somethin' untoward, I'd make sure they'd hafta bury whatever was left of ya' in a soup can. I'd love to stay in a gods-forsaken hole inna wall town like this, but since ya're lit'le stunt made sure I can't use the cou'nerfits, I'm flush outta cash. 'Nless you got a donation, I'll be seein' what I can get me hands on to sell in the next town over."

[Kiga]

Kiga stared at her blankly, it came all too easily to him.

"You have the gold to make that kind of journey? I can tell you this much, the next town is two weeks by road unless you can get on a ship and it's a scrappy little fishing village. Nothing more. This is as big as it gets.

But it's prosperous.... if you're looking for work. I might no someone who's hiring. Maybe."

[Whizzlesprocket]

She thought for a second. She was no stranger to mercenary work...lots of people needed a small, sneaky sort of person for quests, or guard duty, or bounties on people or possessions. She didn't like him having the upper hand, but in this case it was kind of out of her control. "What's the work? I ain' workin' no docks, but I got a feelin' ya're not talkin' about that. Wha'do I got to kill?"

[Kiga]

Kiga began to walk then, speaking over his shoulder. Plain as you like, he headed for the closest alleyway, in an almost rude fashion. There was no rudeness in his voice or his posture, he said nothing to offend - he was just leaving.

"That's not up to me. But you want to speak to Marlena. You might just have the stuff. If you can keep that temper under control."

[Whizzlesprocket]

She stomped after him, obviously finding rudeness where there was none, creating it from whole cloth. "Who's Marlena? The bloody hell are you even gobbin' about? I know ya're just gonna jump up an' away over the roofs wifout sayin' anythin', you scamperin' little windbag. Jus' tell me where ta go."

[Kiga]

Kiga didn't leap anywhere, he just kept walking with her in two, making his way through the people and such, casually strolling along.

"Uh, no. I figured you'd follow me to her. Like a normal person. Yeesh, what do you take me for..."

He smirked then, but he wasn't showing it to her. Eventually, the pair ended up on a corner, near to the docks, by a warehouse of sorts. Nothing too exciting. He looked up and down the street, then back at the gnome.

"Hm. You'll have to wait here. I'll let her know she has company."

He went to slip inside the dark building and then paused in the doorway. He looked down at Whizzle... and actually managed a sly smile.

"I'll be sure to put in a good word."

And with that, he was gone.

(Cause I need sleep!)

[Whizzlesprocket]

She fumed, silently, grinding one heel into the wood of the docks. Maybe she could find some of the workers, beat them to a bloody pulp to work off the steam.

Or maybe she could show them beforehand what she was capable of. Smirking to herself, she approached the warehouse to see if she could climb up the side and sneak in before they noticed her.

[Marlena]

Marlena opened the door a few moments later, Kiga having told her someone worth talking to had appeared in the town. The gnome had skills and needed work was all that he'd given her and she trusted his judgement.

Looking down, she smiled, genuine and friendly before stepping aside and gesturing for her to enter. The doorway was dark enough, but it became lighter further in, candles chasing a fair few of the shadows away from a table that was set up and the papers upon it, a few crates and boxes piled around it here and there.

Please, come in. The name's Marlena and it's a pleasure to meet you.

[Kiga]

(At this point I am going to reward whizzle 5 acclaim for this thread and the tavern leading to it. Poppet, further rewards will be up to you. Throw in some extra cash for this part though!)

[Whizzlesprocket]

She froze partway through sizing up the side of the building, giving a small, half-arsed salute. "Pleasure's mine, love. You the gal the skinny lit'le windbag said to meet, yeah?" She didn't quite care that she was insulting what was ostensibly the woman's friend or at least compatriot. "Lookin' for work, like he might'a told ya. Name's Abby Whizzlesprocket. What you need killed?"

[Marlena]

Nodding, Marlena led the way through the warehouse to the table, picking up a piece of paper and leaning back against a large box. She couldn't help laughing as the woman described Kiga, rather accurate really, even if it was an insult, the smile never faltering as she spoke.

I do not need anyone killed, Abby. And preferably, I'd rather people not be harmed if it can be helped.

You've met Kiga, in somewhat, unconventional fashion. He helps me by keeping me safe. Sort of orders from a friend. But he is not there to do what I want. I will not tell you everything yet. We shall see if things will work out first.

There is a shipment coming in on a merchant vessel, very soon in fact. It is carrying certain items that I'd rather did not enter this town. Opiates. See, the last person doing the job I do now, would have let it slip by for a fee. That's not who I am.

The amount supposedly coming would be kept in a small crate. Not much, but enough to create a demand should it spread. Your task would be to destroy it. At the very least, throw it into the water. You'll be paid well of course.

[Whizzlesprocket]

She looked around at the warehouse. There was a method to the madness here. She sensed organization of some kind, but didn't want to bring it up. If things went pear-shaped, the less she knew about this the better. At the mention of opiates, though, she grinned. "Destroyed, yeah. I can do that. Got a talent f' breakin' things. Can't have that kinda' skuff hangin' around unsupervised, can ye'?" She didn't know why a shadowy organization didn't want to steal it and distribute on their own terms, but kept quiet about that, too. "How much we talkin'? I just need 'nuff ta get outta town, head to whatever skuffhole is closer t'actual civ'lization."

[Marlena]

Marlena's smile widened then, she would definitely fit in if she were to stick around. And despite the loud mouth, she doubted that Abby would let slip of the Tryst. She straightens and searches briefly for a slip of paper before turning back to the gnome woman.

Twenty gold, no more. It's more than I would normally think to give, but I feel you deserve some compensation for dealing with Kiga.

She laughed then at her own joke, holding out the paper to Abby.

This here is the name of the ship. No doubt, the people aboard will leave it to eat at the tavern and sample other things this town has to offer. That would be the best time. Minimal crew and the goods should still be there, waiting until the planned deal after nightfall.

[Whizzlesprocket]

"Woulda arsed for more, but...I gotta admit, chasin' the scamperin' lit'le weasel 'cross town was more action than I've seen in a while." Which was true, in hindsight. She would have asked for more, normally, but since those counterfeits were her last option...didn't have much of a choice. She took the paper and read it over. "Roight. Wait 'til dinner. Bung the crate overboard. Anythin' else?" Perhaps there was something on the ship she could take with her, make a little gold on the side. If nothing else, they might give her a few more jobs, make enough to get out of here. "Windbag's head onna plate, maybe?"

[Marlena]

Marlena laughed again, this woman had a knack for wording things in such a way that Marlena found hilarious. She shook her head and moved back to the table, the index finger of her left hand gliding over a sheet of paper before she turned back.

Well, I'm not sure what you'll find on the ship, all other cargo is legitimate items such as fabrics. The crate you are looking for will most likely be found in the captain's quarters. Stuff like that would not be left with the crew. But. If you find any trinkets or anything of worth that you think you can sell, feel free. This merchant is a scumbag. Tolerable, but definitely not a nice guy. Any real hurt, such as the loss of the opiates, will bring him down a notch.

And, Abby. If this works out well, you may learn more of what I do, and you may land yourself a paying job. One that caters to your specific talents.