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 Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 12:36 pm
"Hofstra Medical? We have a healer on site that I'm sure would very much enjoy access to such fine materials." Madame Primrose took a moment to think it over and during that time Nyko could see bits of Grub pulling through. Anytime she needed to really mull something over a little dimple would appear on her left cheek, almost as if she were chewing on the inner flesh and pulling it close. Her concentration drifted from Yunan to Nyko, though, as Poppy adjusted his bosom to take some of the weight off his shoulders. A little grin sprouted. "Bigger isn't a blessing, Poppy. Wishing for more than you can handle is a risk."
"I'm used to bigger, but in more of a southern regard." The stupidity of the statement was enough to earn an eye roll from the Madame, but with her attention caught, Nyko added, "I know this is a risk for you, Grub, and I wouldn't be here if I thought it wasn't worth it. I know you don't trust strangers, but you and I grew up together. You know this needs to happen."
"If I didn't trust you you wouldn't be here." She stated pointedly. "And because of Poppy I'm willing to trust you on your word, Iris. Normally I would take a deposit, have a contract written up or at the very least some sort of insurance that what you say here won't come back to haunt me. However-. " With a deep inhale, she carefully handed the stack over to Yunan, "-I need this event to go just as smoothly as you do."
For the night they were playing call girls. Trussed up in layers of padding, makeup, and false hair, Nyko looked every bit the part, but this was Aiyonna's life. He knew she must have seen so many nobles come and go, treating her staff as they pleased until she got to a position where she could do something about it. How many times had she bit her tongue against sharp words? Taken customers she never wanted to keep the peace?
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 1:28 pm
Yunan nodded, crossing his arms under his bosom as the Madame took her time to ponder the offer. He was confident in his stores, the only issue in getting it established within Sulburi was the merchants and nobles who opposed his presence there. They wanted the supplies, but didn’t want the owner to make profit and break the hierarchy within their city. There was a moment of confusion at the sudden change towards Poppy as the Madame adjusted the weight there, but Yunan kept still. This relationship was probably what allowed them this privilege in the first place and it wasn’t the best moment to let his jealousy show. If anything despite the banter, Yunan did relax more when the conversation turned in his favor. “I understand and I appreciate you taking the risk. However, I do assure you that it will be worth it.” He promised. “My store’s products were never the issue, as you surely know.”
His gaze narrowed thoughtfully at the last words, Yunan catching on just as quickly as Nyko to the troubles that were hidden in such an establishment. “It won’t clean up every corner of Sulburi, but it will take a good portion of any trash from the area.” The hybrid finally acknowledged before his own mouth turned upwards into a small smile. “I’m also not one to do things half-assed. You’ll have a contract when this is over, I’m not going to be the owner of the Oban branch forever but I will have them honor this agreement once the dust settles from the city streets.” He had his own matters to attend to, contracts and deeds to put into writing when things were more secured. Right now though Yunan couldn’t risk someone finding out these connections. It was a way to keep both the Madame’s establishment and his own separate and safe. He glanced over at Nyko, watching for his reaction to his words and quietly adding. “I’ll explain more later, but the Belrean branch will always be mine once this is resolved.” For Belrea was where they wanted to be in the end, right? Yunan knew he had a home in Matori, but Oba? Not so much his cup of tea, everything he did though was to make his business stronger so that he could pass it on to the Matori who had inspired him to take up the business in the first place. He once before would have fought to hold onto as much power for himself as possible, but now? Well he had more important things in his life.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 1:42 pm
"I'm sure they are." The madam answered primly. "The fact is I have never seen your products, never heard of anyone who uses them and the payment I'm receiving is based on the hope that your business is a success. Saying you're well received in Belrea does little for me here. So,-" Her smile got all the sharper as she studied Yunan. ",-you'll be watched until a formal contract is discussed and signed. Really, it shouldn't be any different from the surveillance you're under now."
While there was a bitter edge to her tone, Nyko didn't fault her for it. She wasn't doing anything they hadn't done already a dozen times and probably would again. Anything to ensure one's safety and that of their business; how could he judge her?
"Since we still have you for a while longer, could I ask you to look over these with us and discuss who you think is going to be the biggest asset?" All of this talk of contracts and business was a little over Nyko's head, but figuring out which military official would be their front runner wasn't. The list was nearly endless so having a little help there would be amazing.
"I could, if you'd like. As he said you both have me for a while longer so I can answer most anything you throw at me."
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:06 pm
“As I would hope.” Replied Yunan with a sharp smile of his own. “It would be a shame to rely upon someone who didn’t take the chance to study their new business contact.” He wanted to be watched, wanted to be tested so that it proved he wasn’t working with a slacker himself. If she was lax then how easy would it be for things to fall apart? So far though he was feeling fairly confident about this connection, not even doubting himself or his product despite Madame Primrose watching him. And a bitter tone to her voice? It wouldn’t be the first time he had faced such a situation though admittedly he had been hoping for a bit more warmth after the display with Nyko. Though it made sense, regardless of her connection with Nyko the hybrid was a complete stranger to her.
The questioning made Yunan pause, pondering their situation and the lists given to them. “I can also answer anything you would want, as long as it doesn’t get too personal.” His golden gaze swept over Nyko before returning towards Madame Primrose, Yunan acknowledging their relationship without saying such a thing out loud. “If you have an idea of which name would be the most willing to cooperate and bring justice down without being a bit biased in their favor then we’ll begin there.” Whoever couldn’t be bribed easily, basically. Or even better if it was someone who would have a grudge against anyone attending the wedding, that would be best. “As for my side of things, give me an idea of what you would like for your employees. A box may appear soon with a female carrier, they would just need a time or way to get inside without too many eyes on them.”
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:18 pm
"Major General Zhan." Primrose moved toward her desk and beckoned the two closer with the crook of her finger. She motioned to the desktop, instructing Yunan to lay out the pages without saying as much. When she came across the Major General's information she tapped it with one perfectly filed nail. "His mistress used to be nobility, now she works here. He can't keep her with him because of her reputation, but the only reason her family fell in the first place was due to more than a few run ins with your guest list." She crossed her arms under her bust, giving her already impressive assets an unneeded bounce. "He has the most influence and a motive to see it through." "A few of my staff were talking about it," Nyko murmured. While several of the names on that list stood out to him this one definitely scared him. If they didn't play their hand just right with this man he would come after them instead. "They planted evidence against her father and when the man tried to beg for his daughter's amnesty it was denied." "It's a filthy affair," Primrose shook her head. "But, I've a meeting with him later in the week so his connection should be secure. My follow up question, though, is what's next? You sweep into Oba, tear down a few nobles and then what? Go back to Belrea?""Gods willing." Nyko answered. When he turned to look at Yunan his gaze held, seeing through the disguise to the man underneath and, braver still, he reached out to take his hand. "We'll get as far away from Oba as possible and start fresh in Belrea. I don't care what happens after this wedding so long as we get the hell out of here."
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:52 pm
A dangerous glint entered Yunan’s gaze as he listened to the explanation. It didn’t seem that this General Zhan would need much convincing at all, did it? “I see.” He replied quietly with a nod. “That’ll be the first person I’ll invite to the event.” Someone that high up would probably bring plenty, but just in case he would invite one or two others. The less they invited the more likely things wouldn’t leak about their plans, but it was best to also have one backup just in case something happened to the general before then. They would have to be cautious with how they approached, but he would figure something out to get the general on their side rather than against the whole gathering.
Yunan glanced over towards Nyko, his expression full of disgust as he listened to the story. “I wouldn’t blame him for doing more than simply arresting a few.” If some died because of resistance then so be it. What else could they do? Yunan would fully support it, especially after hearing about the man’s mistress and how they had been affected by those attending his wedding. “Agreed, our future lies in Belrea not Oba.” He looked towards Madame Primrose. “But it’s better to take out a few here and there, no? I have another contact who I can recommend once this is over. She’ll be able to provide future assistance if you want to fully clean out the city. She’s also good at providing new attire, a perfect connection for an establishment like this.” As if that hint wasn’t enough to pinpoint Madam Zayn, someone else who had plenty of bad blood with the upper nobility despite hiding it well. Most wouldn’t suspect the fashionista of anything other than providing the latest trends, but she was also ready to do a sweep of the city and more than willing to back Yunan’s plans.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 3:02 pm
"I'm sure more than a couple won't make it to trial." Nyko commented with a curl to his lip. A man of his ranking would have no choice but to follow the law in front of his peers. Behind closed doors, however, Nyko could only imagine what a man like that could do.
"I'll keep it in mind. If all goes to plan I wouldn't mind looking into a few of my more problematic clientele."
Over the course of the hour Madame Primrose would go on to point out several other names, giving descriptions as to their appearance and what to watch out for. The fact that she knew so many in the military wasn't surprising to Nyko; what did surprise him was the depth of her memory. Every question had an answer and it was never something basic. She could have written a tome with what she knew and they'd only scratched the surface.
It really was strange how differently they'd gone in life. Grub and Nicosia, once two kids in flour sack clothing tending to nobles, living their own versions of luxury.
The moment the spell broke a violet light surrounded the door and when Nyko turned to look at it the lock make a small, but audible, 'pop'.
"Looks like our times up."
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 3:21 pm
“It seems we’ll be in contact even after the event.” Acknowledged Yunan before the discussion continued, the trio discussing options and sharing whatever was necessary and what Yunan felt he could trust with the Madame. Even Yunan lost track of time until the small pop caught his attention and he nodded. “We should go then. I need to get back.” He placed a hand against his chest, frowning at the feeling of clevage there, and then bowed his head respectfully towards Madam Primrose. “Thank you for your help once more.”
“Ready?” He held out a hand towards Nyko, preparing to guide him down the steps as if they hadn’t spent any time discussing major plans that could ruin quite a few lives in Oban society. If anything it had been a pleasant afternoon between a pair of ladies who would end things returning to a flower shop to purchase some bouquets or something for their rooms.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 3:30 pm
"Take care of yourself Iris." She dipped into as polite a curtsy as possible without revealing what little she had hidden. When she stood, she brushed some of the curls off her shoulder. "And take care of Poppy."
Taking Yunan's hand, Nyko started his descent down the staircase, but not without one last look back to Primrose. She stood near her desk, a warm silhouette in a cold hall, but a smile that could melt steel. He mouthed a little 'bye' to her before the image faded completely.
"Well, I'd call that a success, wouldn't you?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 3:33 pm
"Don't worry, I will."
Yunan smirked as he walked with Nyko. "I would definitely call that a success." And now off towards the finale. Yunan glanced up at the sky, his expression thoughtful as he pondered everything that needed to happen soon. At least it would be worthwhile in the end as they could return to Belrea with this chapter closed and his business secured. It was also benefiting a new companion to lock others away, the feeling actually bringing a bit of comfort to Yunan despite not expecting his concern for others to resurface like this. How strange that his life had shifted in this way and it was all thanks to some Poppy flower that had sprouted up in his life. It made him squeeze Nyko's hand back, the hybrid showing his affection as they continued forward.
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