Welcome to Gaia! ::

Shaken from his moment of shocked silence by Akhil's comment, Valis is quick to take up the conversation as well.

"Even as you say my friend!" Valis added, his open smile returning. "A rare thing indeed in what many are calling The Age of Sorrows," he adds, a mournful blush entering his tone for those few words.

((Activates Mastery of Small Manners))

Momentarily attuned to the ebbs and flows of human interactions, Valis continues. "But in truth, we are here as much to marvel at that which was built, and offer trade to those citizens here. While our partners to the South were not willing to venture as much to take North, so uncertain are the times, we two disagreed. We choose to venture to so far from home, knowing that we'd find markets long held and rich in history, but many eager hands to claim our goods."

In tone, body language, and subtle, essence guided, ticks and inflections, projects as a formal greeting for both Valis and Akhil. One that will put the Ice Walkers at ease, and appeal to the sentiments of Aparna as well.

((Since I'm not sure what all their motives are yet, and since I'm not actually on an essence high at the moment, I'm not sure if that's exactly what would come out of Valis' mouth, but that's about it.))

>>> Sorry about the delay. Its been a crazy two days. <<<

Meanwhile, in the streets and alleys of Carnelian Peak...

Sasha and Renaldo are experts when it comes to a city's streets. They know that one of the best ways to understand a settlement is to walk along it main thoroughfares and duck through its back alleys. To watch its guards and citizens as they go about their daily lives.

Some spies put great effort into infiltrating government offices and military commands, just to steal a few state secrets. But some of the most important knowledge about an enemy isn't secret at all, if you know where to look.

With Renaldo's help, Sasha makes good time scouting out the lay of the city. Four major quarters radiate from a demolished castle in the center. The western portions of the city are not easily passable on foot, and a line of guard towers are well-positioned to ensure that no one tries. The southern quarter is primarily for markets and tradesmen, with the occasional hostelry and townhouses. The east quarter is the major population center, boasting the largest number of homes and offices, though many seem unoccupied. And finally, the north quarter is visibly the seat of Haltan and Icewalker presence, and Sasha can just spot the looming edifice of the old fortress, now sporting the pennants of its occupiers.

The people of Carnelian Peak are quieter than in other cities, more subdued. They know they are conquered, and are just on the verge of accepting that fate. But for now, busy streets still empty a few minutes ahead of a Haltan patrol, and patriotic graffitti still covers a few walls. Sasha manages to overhear a conversation between two... amateur artists.

"Hurry up, man! They'll be along soon, and I am not going to the mines."

"Don't soil yourself, you coward. Look at the sun; we still have plenty of time."

"What if they've changed the patrol times? They used to do that..."

"Yes, when the Resistance still bothered them. Now there's no one for them to try to catch. The Icewalkers hate the heat, and the Haltans hate the lack of trees. They just want to make their rounds and get back to the Fort."

"First of all we would like to sell various wares, mostly food items and ingredients in the local market. In this regard, we simply want to present ourselves formally to the city administration and take care of any permits or paperwork associated with establishing a stand and residence here. I trust there won't be too much ado about that. Secondly, we understand that there has been a movement of goods north lately. Can't imagine why...Regardless, my partner and I are extremely experienced caravaneers and we offer our business in this regard. We have a few wagons and men, mostly laborers and guards, on hand. However, we could have a train of men, carts, and pack animals in the city by a months time. And of course, additional labor or materials could be hired locally."

In the Streets

Renaldo spots the approaching patrol, still a good three minutes away. However, as he drops lightly beside Sasha to let her know, an indistinct figure blurs out of a side alley and slams into both the graffitti artists. Sasha and her cat slide safely into the shadows, able to see, but not to be seen.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen."

The voice is that of a man, but the figure looks like nothing more than a vaguely humanoid distortion in the air. Despite its insubstantial appearance, it has a hazy hand around each artist's throat, and is lifting both men off the ground.

"I'm afraid your insurrectionist activities will now cease. Further, you will tell me where I can find the rest of your cell."

The more stalwart of the artists manages to gasp out, "No cell! Just us!"

"Oh? Well, that is a great relief to me. In that case, a term of service in the mines will no doubt cure you of your exuberance."

The other man blanches, and the gauzy figure homes in upon the expression.

"Ah, but I see that you might know something that your compatriot does not? Perhaps you would be willing to share it with me, in exchange for some leniency."

"They... they aren't a real cell, right? I mean, no contact with anyone higher up, no soldiers left, just people who've had family killed or taken away. We usually meet up--"

"You trait-- urk!"

"We meet in the restaurant on the corner of Middle and Sixty, in the basement!"

"Thank you. After I hand you both over to my Haltan friends," the sound of boots on cobblestone was getting louder, "I'll pay a visit to this restaurant."

"The Haltans? You said you'd be lenient!"

"Well, I was planning to kill you, but I think your friend here will see to that. I understand the mines are a bad place for 'squealers'."

The figure drags both men, kicking and screaming, out to the main street.

In Aparna's Office

The minister has pulled out a sheet of paper and is jotting down notes in some sort of short-hand, while nodding along with Valis and Akhil. A slight smile flickered across her lips at Valis' suggestion of rebuilding.

"Yes, I admit that your services are in demand. Not enough for you to hike prices, mind you, but enough for a good profit on both sides. The last organization we hired for those purposes pulled out after repeated bandit attacks, but I'm told the roads are far safer now."

"As for your offer of dinner, I'd be happy to let you treat me, assuming my chaperones consent?"

The two soldiers at her sides look at one another. The younger one looks slightly anxious, while the older one is relaxed.

"It should not be great problem, Minister. Maybe this time, we trust you to conduct contract alone," he says.

The younger one breaks in, "But we should sit at near table, just in case, yes?"

Aparna smiles at the young man. "What's the matter, Snowflake, you don't trust me?" The way she says it makes it clear that 'Snowflake' is a nickname.

"I simply follow orders, Minister."

"Fine, you can sit a little ways off, Snowflake." She turns back to Akhil and Valis. "If you'll follow me, gentlemen, I know a nice little place that won't bar its doors to me."

Sasha wastes no time, and asks for directions from the first person on the street. Her suspicions are confirmed; as a Whitewall native, she understands the city's layout.

Like many major trade cities, Carnelian Peak is based on a circular pattern, with major roads that divide the city into rings, and other major roads that follow major degrees-lines. Hence, Middle refers to the road that encircles the city at its middle, and Sixty refers to the angle of the road leading out from the city center.

The intersection is close to the ruined parts of the western quarter, with rubble piles visible through the buildings. The restaurant, predictably, faces the destruction. Inside, a teenage boy waits on a handful of customers.

On the other side of the city...

Valis, Akhil, and Aparna are sitting at an outdoor cafe, with her Haltan supervisors at a nearby table. Other than a few angry glances, the customers ignore them. Dozens of servers swarm around, seemingly one for each table.

"You'll find no shortage of workers for your operations. The invaders cart off the unemployed to the mines, so I told the owner of this place to hire people for a token salary. In return, he tolerates my presence."

Aparna glances around, ensuring that her bodyguards are out of easy earshot. "I don't know how you convinced them to let us have this much privacy, but I have to say that I'm impressed."