Closed [The Docks] Crows and Scars

[Zandelia]

She had, of course, known of Buras’ plan already from their earlier encounter, she had counseled him against it in fact in her own way. She had used suggestion in lieu of more forceful methods and in that she had failed to impart the sense of risk that she believed he should possess for he still talked of it nonchalantly, as if it were a simple thing to make blossom into both being and control. She was, however, pleasantly surprised at the mercenary he had brought along with him in so far as he laid out their plan before them without hesitation. On some levels that made him a fool, on others it made him wise though she doubted he would appreciate the distinction. In telling them what they had planned he was offering up more than Buras was and that made him a better negotiator and it made Buras seem far more whimsical in comparison. She smiled beneath the hood as Fallon spoke in return.

She so dos have a way with words, not my way but just as effective. I like to skirt an issue, assess the logic and then hamstring them when they aren’t looking to convince them to my perspective. She…well she targets a weakness and tears, tears mercilessly she thought to herself as she simply watched the crow for a reaction, a tell of any kind.

He was seemingly unfazed beyond the glare he threw mason for his revelations, she wondered if he even recognized that from Zandelia’s perspective Mason was doing a better job of it than Buras was in terms of conversation despite the pretty words. She doubted it and she shook her head at his offer, the same form of bodiless offer he had given her individually. She had been kind to him then, trying to offer her wisdom in assistance of perspective, she was not shocked to find that Fallon was less forgiving - the Scars were her organization now and she couldn’t afford to sell their lives upon a promise. She did care about them, deep down, the members who she was trying to form into a grander whole.

“A little help?” she asked, breaking her stilled silence coldly, “you want us to control the ground whilst you try to build and outfit an entire ship. How log do you think that will take? How many attempts to try to take it back where we risk our lives for your ascendancy?” she asked the simple yet logically hard questions.

“And all of this just to use what skills you may or may not have? I do not think that is true recompense Buras, even if we lost no one to this scheme of yours. You say nothing of payment, of compensation, of shared control of whatever you may or may not gain. You expect us to do this for you and then let you just wallow in the harbor and become a threat to us as well? Don’t take us for fools”

“Of course, even if we assume that you are successful and this doesn’t get us strung up to dance our ankles on a gibbet, you have a boat. That is all. You can control the waves perhaps for a while. Weapons may not sink you but what about men?” she asked curtly.

“Think you can guard your new prize against scores of rowing boats disgorging members of every syndicate to bring you down? Have you thought this through at all?” she asked with clear exasperation before she turned her head to look at Fallon from the folds, it was a dark frown that would not be seen but clearly felt.

On a personal level he was asking her to also risk Fallon for nothing but words. She didn’t care what the eventual payoff could be if won through, it wasn’t worth the loss that could be incurred as the offer thus stood. She had been calm and respectful when they had first met, now she didn’t truly feel like holding anything back. This was a deal that dealt with more than gold - it dealt with lives. Lives were worth something to her these days, gods help her.

“I told you before Buras, I told you that you shouldn’t advertise your nature and you set up a gang called the Crows. I also told you to think before you leap and yet to plan to try a scheme even the syndicates would find difficult to achieve. Why couldn’t you just start small for petch sake? Place you targets to your levels and build up from there?”

“I will not risk my life for words alone, nor would I ask anyone else to. Blood must be satisfied, and if you have no resources to offer us then at least the offer of gold would be more than saying we could sue you how we see fit. We know nothing of your abilities,” she stated, which was not strictly true as she could find that out easily enough with a few helpers, “and you want us to do your dirty work for you”

“Make a real offer. Because make no mistake, no other organization would help you at all. You have only us and that means you have to deal with us. On our terms not upon yours. We have our own things to do and could easily do without having yours added to it”

[Mason Stone]

Mason glanced at Buras and winced. Buras’s cheerful demeanor had seemed to vanish over the course of the conversation leaving a slightly baffled looking version of the man. No doubt he had thought this would go over much better than it actually had. Mason’s mind turned back to the hooded woman who had just spoken. He had a hard time believing that there werent other syndicates that would offer aid to the Crows, however the Scars were probably the most powerful of those who would. Unfortunately the Scars held most the cards at this meeting so that meant he’d need to start small. Clearing his throat Mason began.

“The ship idea is ambitious and while I believe it will work I can understand your hesitation. In truth you're right we are a new gang whose metal has yet to be tested. You’ve made it clear you are not willing to risk the lives of your men, a decision I personally respect. So let me offer you an alternative to the war ship that had the potential to benefit us both. Buras mentioned earlier we may require so assistance securing the area surrounding our base. As I understand it the Scars are a prominent gang the command a large amount of respect in Sunberth. What I ask is that you... discourage or express your interest in keeping our base in your area of influence. This by no means the Crows are under Scar protection, it might simply keep some of the less ambitious gangs off our backs. Also if ambitious gangs come along and ignore your wishes and try to take our base this arrangement would alert you to their presence. Finally as a way to insure that the Scars benefit from this arrangement I propose the Scars are able to call upon the services of the Crows for the endurance of such an arrangement”.

Mason looked at Buras for some sign of agreement. He had just offered the Scars one hell of a deal in his own opinion. There was no real danger to the larger gang as they only stood to benefit from such an arrangement. Still Buras may not agree to the arrangement do to his extreme ambition. Mason gave his most convincing grin.

“What do you say a favor for a favor?”

[Fallon]

It was only a small snarl of Buras that made her smirk from beneath the hood - if only briefly. Her eyes were fixed on him, attempting to gauge a reaction on his face and his snap answers. The admittance was one she knew would come, but it was far by under exaggerated. Nothing was ever that easy or straight forward, and the illusive nature that he had taken to answering her questions did not help in the negotiations. Her blood boiled at that, her jaw setting into a line out of reflex. Her lips parted to give another verbal rip onto the few words of Buras.

Zandelia however, had beaten her to the punch. There was only the muted nod in agreement, the points matching the beliefs of her own all too neatly. They could risk none, and she refused to do so on behalf for a new and only recently formed group of unknown power and quality. Too blinded were they with the end goal did they forget the world that existed around them. Or at least, one of them did. Her lids pinched together slightly, gaze shifting from Buras to Mason. For every word his leader had spoken, the halfer had spoken ten - all of which were filled with a lot more solid understanding of the situation. It made her wonder really what would have happened if he was the one to lead the negotiations, or better yet he stood upon a different side. How would he grow? How would he develop out as a man?

Fallon felt the frown, she could almost hear it with the way Zandelia's words seemed to grow into a snap - no longer holding back in the niceties and nudging their path along one that she suspected would come inevitably. Nostrils flared, the steady inhale and exhale as she worked the next few steps in her head. Words and promises would not save them here. Although words were indeed beautiful when strung together correctly and capable of creating a grand weave to the imagination, they were simply that. Just words. Words were not solid, at least not without the actions to back them. Even the silver tongued knew that, and thus had to make the words believable and uncontested in nature.

And so far, the Crows' sales pitch was only dreadful. It was a negotiation based only on taking and not giving back. That was not the way the world worked. Her gaze swept from the men and to her companion once more, and then returned, "I believe, my associate just successfully summarized the view of the Scars. We do not deal in favours, we do not deal in words alone or promises of what could come. I value my people, my brothers and sisters, much more than hollow and unproven phrases of the Crows."

She shook her head at that point, a low tut escaping from the folds. The projected astral hand begun its flexing, slow and stretching as she reached it forward into the space between the two groups. Poised and ready once more - they needed to maintain the upper hand as much as possible. Her gaze turned to Mason as he spoke up, and at first she thought it was an attempt to find the middle ground in which to build up off. His head was obviously screwed on a lot tighter than his leader. He spoke of understanding and respect, before moving on to a new offer.

Eyes narrowed down, the mind gradually working through his words. They wanted protection, they wanted security, she could understand that. They wanted the Scars to protect their base, and consequently them - was how she understood it - more so when they managed to attract the wrath of others with their boat. Either way, it came into the mind of Fallon as far from a fair deal. More so as Mason uttered those words.

All previous thoughts were discarded when he simply repeated the same offer. Of course, it was worded differently - but the context was just the same. And all of it made her come to the conclusion that the mercenary was simply word fed before the meeting, lines rehearsed and given prompts as to when to speak them. She could almost hear the echo of Buras' own words in them.

"At this rate, and with the way you keep making your negotiation requests," Fallon let her weight shift from one foot to the other. Her feet came square to her shoulders, the knees bending slightly. It was the lightest bracing of stance, the gentle rise up onto her toes and then back down once more, "You may as well simply be absorbed into the Scars..." She gave a smirk, letting the thought rise and settle within their minds, "You will not last long with your present mindset. When will you learn that ambition, whilst good, must be balanced with logic and rationality?"

It was something she herself had learned a long time ago, she knew the Scars were far from able to simply march up to the Daggerhand and eliminate them. No, they had to start small and gradually grow. Bit by bit, piece by piece, in shadows and in blood. It was subtle, but before she knew it the Scars had managed to grow among the whispers and have themselves established.

"Despite it's different wording, your deal is of the same context as Buras'," She spoke crisply then, the etheral fingers wriggling in the air. She had not used it properly yet short of having it ready and prepared, leaving the strain minimal outside of the occasional twitch. She had the plan formulated in her mind, the pieces closing in quickly around them, "So, as you appear incapable of making an actual fair offer, I shall make one for you." The neck clicked, a step forward with Orvin stepping behind, his eyes glaring at the two men. Fallon's lips broke into a wolfish grin, "You require the Scars for protection, much like a merchant would hire mercenaries. So, I give you two offers which you can leave or take."

Her free hand came out from between the folds at that point, the gloved hand coming on display and a finger uncurling, "My first offer is as so; like most people in Sunberth, we need gold. Appeal to our mercenary side, make a contract for protection in agreed payments, or we do nothing. However, with terms to those agreed payments, anything that is taken by the Scars, territory, articles or otherwise, is kept by the Scars. You can then build your little boat in peace, no mess, no worries." Her second finger uncurled at that point, "My second offer is this. Join the Scars. Remove your name as Crows, put down your titles and be absorbed in something you know already works and will keep on working. By doing so, I give you the opportunity to be involved in something a lot more than your simple desires, more that a just a single boat, a greater whole that looks for change not only for the individual but the whole city." The physical hand withdrew back beneath the folds, "Those are our offers."

[Buras]

Buras was surprised that Mason made an offer, even though it was almost exactly like Buras' only with more clear benefits to the Scars. But once more, the offer was rejected. Frustration boiled under the calm face Buras was now struggling to hold. It all came to a head when Wolf Girl gave two offers. "We cannot pay you in gold, I can't at the very least. And what you gain you keep is a given. But I will not let the Crows be absorbed after I worked to get them together in the first place. And what is the greater purpose you talk about? If I had to guess, you want to control Sunberth. Well you and almost every other gang out there. I offer what I believe that we can afford. If you don't want it, petching say so and we will leave. I do not want to stand here trying to persuade someone to help when they obviously do not want to." This all started out softly, but as he went on, his tone firmed grew until he was almost shouting the last words. Why could they not see that what he offered was all the he could offer? A new gang, with little influence and people, couldn't do much but be some extra muscle. Yes, members of the Scar's would be risking their lives, but so would his. Even he would be risking his life, he wouldn't just stand aside and watch his men do the dirty work. As Buras' frustration kept his mind occupied, another thought came. 'When did this mystery figure tell me to be careful?' Buras acknowledged the thought, then filed it away to wonder about later. Why could they not understand why he only offered that one thing.

[Zandelia]

There was little on offer beyond the asking for the Scars to do the work for these Crows, coming to them with open palms and promises and without a single concrete offering that they made beyond an almost skeletal plan and the observation that they required aid. It was a shame in many ways, the fact that thy clearly had not thought through was they needed and what they were willing to offer in exchange, that they so desired to be something more and yet conducted their operations with the belligerence of children - expectation for themselves came first and negotiation for others was not even a close second. She shook her head as the words flit past her, a still and motionless statue as they rose and fell, the ebb of conversation. You could read much from such contestations and it was clear just from listening that there was merely a circular logic at play.

You help me, I help you and we go around and around together. The basics of all negotiations but completely ignorant of anything beyond the scales. You can’t conduct business like that, not if you want to actually do business she sighed inwardly to herself as she raised her left hand form her hip.

Slowly it came, almost lazily, as it extended out towards the shouting Buras now and fingers contorted slightly. Pressure placed upon the hidden mechanism and the blade slipped out neatly, keeping pressure applied so that it kept extended and the cold shine of Leth could be seen upon it as she swayed it left to right before him slowly. She allowed the tension to build ever so slightly, deciding to use visual aids this time in lieu of conversation - words, for all his love of them, seemed not to work. She wondered if anything would as she relaxed her wrist then and in the silence the ever so subtle click could be heard as the weapon was concealed once more. She let her hand fall just as slowly until it was resting upon the handle of the dagger strapped to her thigh - Revy‘s dagger with it‘s cruel curves and patterning.

“Shouting like a child because you are not getting what you want immediately is unwise Buras, remember who you are dealing with. The city will not miss the Crows should they disappear this night” she almost purred the words, seeking to inject fear into the lad before he escalated a situation beyond words and to his detriment.

Just because she thought he was being foolish didn’t mean she wanted to kill him, there was always uses for even the humblest of tools but he seemed bent upon control of a situation that he held no control over. She thought he reminded her of Cade, trying to bully and force others to do his bidding but never truly understanding what leadership and compromise where - they weren’t words, they were perspectives. Things to live by, not pay lip service to.

“You miss the point entirely, if we had no interest then we wouldn’t be here your partner stated. Then let’s take that to its logical conclusion,” she tried for an understanding and cool tone but his foolish tactics were trying her patience and there were cracks around the edges as she tried for regular breathing, chest rising and falling gently yet deeply “interest does not dictate successful negotiation. Negotiation is based upon compromise and you offer none. You give us only what is ours by right and a promise that we do not know you can actually follow through with”

“This is a poor deal for us where you gain our protection, muscle, prowess and wits. You try to gain everything and give nothing back. You say you wanted to discuss a contract but now admit you have no gold…what the Hai were you thinking? If you had tried this with any other mercenaries in the city. You. Would. Be. Dead. You are lucky we are more willing to talk than draw blades as we see uses where fools see piles of shyke”

“You offer up your people as if they were bargaining items, they were disposable and yours to offer. You may lead but where are they? Have they given consent to this? To you risking their lives? Understand that even if we were to agree a deal with you we would still not force others to walk to their deaths with no choice. Otherwise we are no better then slavers” she spat that last word with venom, she loathed those bastards with a passion that was rising presently.

“What you are talking about is fighting powerful enemies, not a joint jaunt to explore opportunities or anything so minor. You offer us your service and once again avoid stating what they would be. Am I to assume that means we can use you for whatever we like? If so then perhaps I could ask you to walk into the Rotting Mansion with a sigh they says you killed Robern?” she asked quietly, her voice was becoming softer now but underneath there was an anger.

She pulled her hood down then and smiled at him, wondering if she managed to capture that wolfish nature she had come to admire.

“Yes, it is me. Hello again Crow”

“I will not lie to you, your approach has been foolish. I am not here to snub you Buras, though I could. I didn’t have to come, I chose to. To see what you had to offer. Don’t get angry at me just because I want to hear more details about what we will gain before I consider whether I commit myself. I do not speak for the Scars now, I speak for only myself”

“You want to hire anyone for protection then fair payment is a staple requirement. If you’re talking about the Scars for that then what do you expect them to say when told they must risk themselves for nothing but words?”

“I told you before that words are not always adequate, favors are fickle things that die with those who make them. You cannot guarantee you will not get stabbed tomorrow and then what? We have made an agreement that is null and void and still live with the backlash of your enemies”

“It is not disagreeable to ask for payment. You say you have no gold, we say that favors are not enough. What else do you have to offer? Think carefully Buras…Mason” she looked carefully at them both then, “what specifics can you offer to make our risk worthwhile?”

[Mason Stone]

Mason’s hand hovered over the hilt of his war cleaver. The woman, who apparently knew Buras, had not only adopted an attitude suggesting aggression she had offered and open insult. In many ways this situation was his and Buras’s fault. The two women were right they had only offered up favors, nothing with real substance. Still he was a little flustered the Scars hadn't at least considered his second offer for a little longer. He hadn't asked them to risk men, money, or even reputation but of course they still held most the cards in this negotiation. The woman whom which Buras was acquainted had hinted that if the Crows didn’t offer something which the Scars found acceptable soon the meeting would end.

“You're right we haven't offered anything but promises. As for those in the Crows who are not present we cannot guarantee their cooperation in a life threatening situation though I believe it is safe to depend upon them. Despite that Buras and I are still free to promise our own services. I understand that once again we would be offering a promise so allow me to offer you something with substance”.

Slowly Mason moved his hand from the hilt of his cleaver and removed a fair sized pouch from his belt.

“This pouch contains fifty gold mizas. Now you could easily kill me and take the money but I get the feeling that's not how either of you operate. Additionally we do control the plot of land our base is located on. Its nothing fancy but it is something that is physical and won't disappear with the loss of life”.

Fifty of his gold mizas Mason thought to himself wincing inwardly. Not Buras’s, not the Crows, but his own coin. If these women decided to jump him now he knew he couldn't stop them. What he had done might have been an act of faith but in hindsight revealing he had that much gold on him now seemed foolish. Still it was the only way that Mason could think of to keep negotiations open.

“As I have no intention on dying any time soon so I will put my services on the table, though I’m aware once more this is a promise. Theres substance on the table in the form of gold and land along with the offers of service Buras and I personally can make. So tell me can we come to so form of an arrangement?”

[Fallon]

Buras was beginning to snap - was the first thought of Fallon as his tone grew into that of a shout. There was only a rise of the eyebrow in amusement, listening to his own narrow minded sense and the facts before him. Had he not regarded the words of his associate? Not looked beyond his own plans and considered the prices that would have to be paid. It was naivety in its finest form, believing that simple pleasantries would work out a contract. And with the way he was continuing to go, Fallon would have been perfectly fine with dealing with them then and there should the need arise.

Greed would not win them here, nor would the simple making of idle demands to have their own way. The ethereal hand gave a flex once more her eyes drifting from one to the other, whilst Zandelia laid down the rules of business and how it worked in the real world - not some far off fantasy in their heads. She did not shift from her position as the wrist blade was demonstrated in the low light, but her words did escape from her lips - speaking that silent tune of what was there.

"And guess you may continue to do so. Conclusion jumping, how apt to base thoughts upon nothing," she purred, eyes burning down upon Buras. Luring and tempting almost for him to react, "But... if it was control we were after, well.. would it have to be sooner or later?" She gave only the flicker of a wolfish smile, and then begun her prowling. There was a step behind Zandelia, the form shifting and moving as the true, cold facts were stated. With no need to immediately interfere with the careful precision and execution as to why it was a bad deal, Fallon took the moment to simply read what was going on before her.

Two men, with an unknown backing - by the way they spoke about numbers suggested there was only a few of them. Unthinking and without solid logic. Her eyes narrowed, they knew nothing on the subject of work. Of what man power was needed to defend people - if it was not known from her time as a simple mercenary, then her time with the knights told her that much. Not everyone could be easily defended, and without the resources to not only compensate but give value to the piece in question even she knew it would simply be abandoned. What was the point in wasting time on something with little return?

Her lip curled at the suggestion of what they could do, the very idea of sending them off to face the Daggerhands was a very appealing one. If anything it certainly cleaned up one growing nuisance for them. There was only a flicker to the lowering of the hood, but otherwise her eyes quickly snapped back to the men. Silence was all what was given in return now, the thoughts being vocally echoed into the night. Even as a mercenary, she knew she would not partake in a job without knowing there was some guaranteed, solid payment - one could not eat without coin after all. Thus, simply it was not worth the risk. Besides, she had her own begrudge against favours - they were capable of quickly turning and proving empty enough times to serve as a firm personal deterrent.

"No doubt, they expected us to simply leap up and accept the agreement without a bat of an eyelid," she spoke in a growl, her patience beginning to wear thin. And then, to the woman she gave a pause and dipped down into the more guttural Nader-canoch with a single incline of the head to the men, "Radjutl pond-pond. Vasatt Nader... Canocht? Rechat?"

She flashed a wolfish grin to the taller man, she had noticed the movement to the weapon - already made skittish by a few words and the flash of a blade. It made her wonder really what use she could put the Crows to, very little if they matched the rest of the nervous state to a simple reveal of steel. Still, at least he was beginning to talk logic and put himself more willingly upon the line. Finally, someone who was willing to make more sacrifice and business. He was more malleable, more likely to thought and consideration than his leader. Fallon chewed upon her lip. She wondered how soon he would stagnate if he remained in the Crows.

There was only a moment of flicker to the pouch, noting it but not further speaking as the man spoke. Thoughts were already turning, rippling and wondering upon the possibilities. What would a small, gentle nudge do to the system of the Crows? Buras spoke only of what he could afford, yet offered nothing. This other was considering compromise, and with that in mind she turned her direction to the more business orientated of the two. She would much rather do negotiations with him after all.

"See? Wasn't so hard. Either way, you have our attention... for now," she let her lips curl as she came out and stood around upon the left side of the woman now, chin lifting. She pondered for a moment if the coin being offered was the man's own - to which then he had the right by her logic to dictate how to use it. With that in mind she steeled herself in preference to the potential making of contracts with the coin holder. Buras would have to take second place on this occasion. The numbers gave a flicker in her head; fifty Mizas could keep someone for a season, or buy a sword and armour, or a cheap horse. The values gave a blink, swinging on a pendulum as she met the gaze. It was perhaps then, and only then, that she spoke candidly to the halfer, "You're wasted there. So, wasted."

Without missing a beat, she moved onwards, "You put your stake to value, and give something of equal offer. You also sell yourself forward as a mercenary. At least, that is what I presume. I do not know what your services are. You could be a tailor for all I know... to which then I will be certain to pop by for some new threads. You should really enlighten us as to what exactly your abilities are." She gave a wiry smile, them shooed the held pouch away, "And land? That is a rare one. Territory. The question there would be, is it truly yours? Or has it simply been left abandoned and in disrepair that no one cares who it belongs to?"

Clearing her throat she looked upon the two men, "Arrangement. Arrangement indeed. Well, you wish to hire the Scars for a job, protection of some form or another. In a traditional mercenary sense, you would firstly tell the potential employee what it was you were looking for... elimination of a target, defending of a location, perhaps more personal body guarding or something else. You then inform them of potential risks, and then lay down a realistic value that would attract the attention with the assurance that there would be the end payment." She gave a curl of the lips.

"Make me an offer, attempt to forge a contract," her eyes slipped to Buras for a moment, her tongue aiming to eradicate any potential thought that it was for him to decide, "Not you, Crow Leader. You hold no coin, you offered nothing of value, and you cannot pay. You said so yourself. You have no say." Her head turned round to the other once more, "So, without your leader playing influence to you... shall we?"

[Buras]

'I got a pretty knife up my sleeve to, Web' Buras thought as she walked away. Buras was amazed and shocked at what Mason offered. The gold was his, but 50? And the land. He had no right to give it to them. Buras needed to calm down. So visibly making an effort to, he did by margins. "Mason, I would like to talk to you briefly." He knew that Wolf girl was trying to get him by himself. If, or when, Mason came over, Buras said quietly "It appears you know how to negotiate. That's good. Here, this is one gold in silver, tell them that or don't is up to you. And about the land offer. The two houses, middle and the one on the right. Try keeping its conditions a secret if you can. Alright, that is all. Go negotiate." Buras said those last words and took up Mason's position as guard. He could back down, may those to girls burn if he couldn't. Well, he would say all that if he did come over. Either way he became the guard.

[Mason Stone]

The woman's comments swirled in Mason’s head even while Buras was giving his little pep talk. Her little comment about him being wasted was a little barb he couldn’t seem to dislodge. It may have been an offer shrouded in an insult , a insult, or simply an observation. Not for the first time Mason wondered if he had made the right decision in joining the Crows. Buras was a very charismatic man with a vision but had that vision disillusioned him to the real possibilities. If so had he let himself become disillusioned in the process as well. Mason was snapped back to reality as Buras offered him some coin. It was a meager offering, one gold in silver could hardly compare to fifty gold mizas that he had offered. Still Mason accepted the coin with a appreciative nod. Money was money, despite the amount it was a gracious gift. Mason turned his focus back to the woman and smiled. He wasn't as practiced at speech craft as he’d like to think, still it fell to forge a deal.

“ Addressing you're earlier remark about my skill set you got me I’m a tailor”. Mason said jokingly gesturing to the weapon on his back and flashing a kind smile. “ Would you be in need of a new cloak or shirt?” The sarcasm in his voice was obvious but simply good natured.

“On a more serious note...” he began his voice losing its former lightness.
“...I’m a fighter. I won't lie to you in comparison to many I inexperienced but the skills I do possess were forged in the fiery crucible that is mortal combat. Moving back to the issue at hand, you expressed interest in creating a contract. I move back to my second proposal. I propose that the Scars put out the word the they have a certain interest in the Crows territory. This would likely keep the less ambitious syndicates off our backs. This may not be the case for the more ambitious syndicates who may try to wrest control from us. What I may have not made clear the first time is that in such a situation the Crows would have to fight for themselves. Simply put I wish to use the formidableness Scars to protect the Crows. This arrangement would not require Scar intervention if a situation became confrontational. It would not require the Scars to use manpower or other resources. All it requires is for you to make it clear you have a certain interest in our territory. Such an agreement would only last so long so after the expiration of such a contract the Scars would have no responsibilities to uphold. As for payment I open negotiations by offering 30 gold mizas and my services for the duration of the contract”.


Buras had said to negotiate and that's exactly what Mason planned to do. The Scars would probably want both more money and information. In his opinion it wasn't a bad start. Still it didn't matter what he felt, ultimately this was the Scars game.

[Zandelia]

There was finally the clarity of thought that she had been hoping for, the idea sparking that in order to gain something then they would need to give something back which was valued by the other party. She could almost see the mind working it through, she thought, as Buras retreated from the negotiating position and instead opted for Mason to do the talking for them. It was as this was occurring that she felt Fallon approach, close now as she circled her and came around. Wolf-like indeed, prowling almost as she sniffed out the scents of what she desired. She fancied that th woman would be slightly more amenable now that trade in more than words was being offered - even if only in principle. Gold was gold but truly they had no right to it yet, they had done nothing but meet and talk. The offer, however ahead of itself it was in negotiations, was a show of faith and principle that she knew the mercenary could get behind.

She does so like to barter, she barters everything. She even bartered me…well, initially she noted to herself with a faint smile.

A rising anger now gave way to a sense of relief, at least someone had some sense. Fallon saw it and her words about mason being wasted were true enough. On some level he was, yet she did not think he would be ready to become more just yet. Potential he had but that would need to be fostered before it blossomed fully. His offer was better than the one upon the table before but the words Fallon spoke rang in her ears, persuasive and to the point as she tried to quickly decipher what had been stated in Nader-Cannoch, she had blinked as it had been stated but even after a while she found no meaning she could discern fully. It seemed…fragmented…as if words were missing. She tilted her head and looked between Buras and Mason a few times in consideration.

“Yes…we do not require gold now. Besides which we have yet to fulfill any services for you, as such you have nothing to pay for. I thank you, however, on grasping the idea that there will need to be a trade” she stated simply.

“So you are a mercenary, there are many mercenaries. Buras is a thief if what he told me is true. A Fixer of sorts perhaps and he can fight a bit too. Just the two of you?” she enquired softly, “of course not. There will be others I presume. Skills of their own too no doubt. So I find myself wondering why you would want us to help you at all?”

“Are you weak, is that it? You need our strength to boost your own. A decent prospect, especially if all is being asked is that we express an interest in your protection. However….however, there will come a time - should we do this - that words will not be enough. We will have to actually intervene for you and bloody ourselves with your enemies…that is the way of things here”

She looked to Fallon briefly, a flicker of meeting of the eyes, she was trying to follow the other woman’s thoughts as she had lain them out. It was a relatively linear progression in terms of the level of negotiation. It was a simple dealing at the moment, there were no massive ideals or promises that were asked to be made. Still there were risks and she wanted to know as much detail as was possible before a decision was made. Not that the decision was truly hers, but still it was wisest to look before you leapt. If offered the opportunity at least. She had acted on instinct before, as and when required, but proper dealing was superior always to instinct. She chuckled as she finally worked out the words Fallon had spoke…or that she thought she had.

“Nader Ranura…Dala Daeq…Pond, Djas Isika” she nodded at them both as she spoke the words for Fallon.

“Tell me, if we are to help protect your territory then it would be decent to at least tell us where it is. I’m sure a rough geographical location would be fine. If we are going to be talking about you and our interest in your group we need to know enough facts to make it convincing otherwise it is pointless. You offer us a contract of sorts, now is the time to set terms and exchange information…agreed?” she turned her head as the last word was spoken to Fallon.

“Nader hea…nen-glig…irst?” she muttered, she was unsure of that phrase and even if it were understandable.