Author Topic: A Walk In The Shadows (Inex, CLOSED)  (Read 5275 times)

Riven

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A Walk In The Shadows (Inex, CLOSED)
« on: March 24, 2018, 05:25:36 PM »
The term 'black market' evokes all sorts of imagery -- clandestine backroom meetings, abandoned warehouses under moonlight, deals hashed out between crime bosses over cigars and whiskey. In some places these images would have been perfectly reasonable, expected even... but not in Vale. In prim and proper Vale such arrangements would, with few exceptions, draw far too much attention... no, the way to operate effectively wasn't in the shadows, but in broad daylight behind a veneer of the mundane and accepted. A common storefront, for example, might double as both a legitimate business and a place to arrange illicit exchanges on the sly. Such was the case with Weylan's Imports: on its surface a quirky odds-and-ends shop that specialized in art and oddities from the other three kingdoms, but behind the knickknacks and strangely designed lamps lay a shrewd businessman who could obtain almost anything if the lien was right.

Today he had a delivery for Amane Petrichor: a set of cutting edge Atlesian focusing lenses, military grade stuff... and a little something extra, passed to him through the grapevine. The only problem was, he could never seem to remember what she looked like between visits; old Weylan wasn't sure if she just had 'that kind' of face or if his memory was starting to go as he got up in years. In fact he didn't even recognize her as she walked in.

"Ah, yes miss. Welcome to Weylon's Imports. How can I help you today, hm?"
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STUDENTS

Beacon Student: Rory Vogel, "The Scarlet Shield" ~ 1st Year, Team VCVS

Shade Student: Sean Acacia, "Grenadier" ~ 1st Year



OTHERS

Beacon Teacher / Experimental Botanist: Dr. Budonoki Sophos, Medical & Wilderness Specialist

Baker / Retired Huntsman: Alec Chadwick, owner of 'Fabled Goods' bakery

Pirate / Freelancer: Captain Cordell of the Red Corsair ~ Available For Hire!

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Micah Sere AKA "Prowler" ~ Danger, Avoid If Possible

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Maria Sanguine AKA "Bloody Mary" ~ Underworld operative, "The Lady of a Thousand Faces"

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« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2018, 06:13:20 AM »
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« Last Edit: August 27, 2023, 07:30:37 PM by . »

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Re: A Walk In The Shadows (Inex, CLOSED)
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2018, 05:44:40 PM »
“Hi, I’m here for your recent shipment from Atlas.”

Weylon looked up from his stock records as she spoke -- he had seen her enter, of course, but it was always wise to not be too eager when a new face walked in the door. As he did his eyes glanced at the beautiful, expensive white car parked out front of his establishment, blinking in surprise. With a ride like that this girl was surely no small fish, though as he took in her appearance he couldn't for the life of him place her. Somewhere in the back of his mind rang a dim awareness that a regular, one of his 'under the table' customers, had a car just like that one, though specifics completely eluded him.

"Ah, yes miss -- and a good afternoon to you." He put on a jovial demeanor, still slightly wary that this might be a sting of some kind. "A, ah, shipment from the cold northlands, you say? I do get deliveries from there from time to time, yes. What name would it be under?"

He knew he only had one order for Atlesian goods -- the Dust lamps, opera holovids, and model Atlesian airships he had on display had been collecting dust for months, so there was no way she was here for one of those. Still, one could never be too careful in this business; discretion was the lifeblood of smuggled goods dealing, after all.
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STUDENTS

Beacon Student: Rory Vogel, "The Scarlet Shield" ~ 1st Year, Team VCVS

Shade Student: Sean Acacia, "Grenadier" ~ 1st Year



OTHERS

Beacon Teacher / Experimental Botanist: Dr. Budonoki Sophos, Medical & Wilderness Specialist

Baker / Retired Huntsman: Alec Chadwick, owner of 'Fabled Goods' bakery

Pirate / Freelancer: Captain Cordell of the Red Corsair ~ Available For Hire!

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Micah Sere AKA "Prowler" ~ Danger, Avoid If Possible

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Maria Sanguine AKA "Bloody Mary" ~ Underworld operative, "The Lady of a Thousand Faces"

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« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2018, 08:17:25 PM »
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« Last Edit: August 27, 2023, 07:32:27 PM by . »

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Re: A Walk In The Shadows (Inex, CLOSED)
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2018, 04:33:20 PM »
The name fell on his ears like a ton of bricks and set his heart to racing -- either this was the client, which meant his memory was indeed as bad as he was coming to fear... or this girl was part of a very well-informed sting operation. The police? A rival trader? Weylon's mind ran a mile a minute as he nervously considered all the possibilities. In that time, however, the young girl in front of him offered no additional words, merely an expectant gaze. Could he really be so forgetful? He tried to memorize her face, to place it somewhere in his memory, pull up a shred of something. Nothing came. He knew he'd dealt with Amane Petrichor with some regularity, so then why...?

He sighed softly, giving up. He had no reason to think she wasn't the client, and if word got around that he was second-guessing his customers people would take their lien elsewhere. "Y-yes, my apologies miss Petrichor -- it's been a busy week and I didn't recognize you at first." He didn't recognize her at all, but saying so would only make matters worse. "One moment then."

After a quick trip into the back room Weylon returned with a small, discreet, unlabeled box. "For the record, I have no idea what these are or where they came from, officially speaking... and what you do with them is your business, not mine. If anyone asks, you never came in here and I," He tried not to look embarrassed as he said the next words. "I've, um, never seen you before in my life. Oh! One more thing."

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a collapsed Scroll and placed it on the table. "My, er..., friends in the business sent this along with your order. Said it was from a dealer who wanted to do business with you -- no details beyond that. Personally it seems a little shady to me, but I was paid well to make sure it made it into your hands; you can toss it in the bin on the way out if you'd rather not take any risks. Up to you, ma'am."

If Amane decided to open the Scroll she would find it virtually empty: no apps, no CCTN browser, just one lone name in the contact list -- 'The Lady', with a note saying "Call me"...
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STUDENTS

Beacon Student: Rory Vogel, "The Scarlet Shield" ~ 1st Year, Team VCVS

Shade Student: Sean Acacia, "Grenadier" ~ 1st Year



OTHERS

Beacon Teacher / Experimental Botanist: Dr. Budonoki Sophos, Medical & Wilderness Specialist

Baker / Retired Huntsman: Alec Chadwick, owner of 'Fabled Goods' bakery

Pirate / Freelancer: Captain Cordell of the Red Corsair ~ Available For Hire!

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Micah Sere AKA "Prowler" ~ Danger, Avoid If Possible

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Maria Sanguine AKA "Bloody Mary" ~ Underworld operative, "The Lady of a Thousand Faces"

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« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2018, 05:48:41 PM »
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« Last Edit: August 27, 2023, 07:32:57 PM by . »

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Re: A Walk In The Shadows (Inex, CLOSED)
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2018, 06:43:14 PM »
"Y-yes, certainly." He smiled nervously, not quite sure how to take her comment. The ship models were rung up quickly and bagged. "Your total comes to..." He glanced at a records book, just to make sure. "2650 lien, since you prepaid for the, er, special order. Any other goods I can look into for you, miss Petrichor?"



(OOC: I'm using this for lien values, since there isn't yet anything canonically established. Basically the two models cost around $20 USD each, which is pretty average for model kits overall. Figured you'd appreciate the frame of reference.)
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STUDENTS

Beacon Student: Rory Vogel, "The Scarlet Shield" ~ 1st Year, Team VCVS

Shade Student: Sean Acacia, "Grenadier" ~ 1st Year



OTHERS

Beacon Teacher / Experimental Botanist: Dr. Budonoki Sophos, Medical & Wilderness Specialist

Baker / Retired Huntsman: Alec Chadwick, owner of 'Fabled Goods' bakery

Pirate / Freelancer: Captain Cordell of the Red Corsair ~ Available For Hire!

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Micah Sere AKA "Prowler" ~ Danger, Avoid If Possible

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Maria Sanguine AKA "Bloody Mary" ~ Underworld operative, "The Lady of a Thousand Faces"

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« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2018, 07:05:16 PM »
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« Last Edit: August 27, 2023, 07:35:47 PM by . »

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Re: A Walk In The Shadows (Inex, CLOSED)
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2018, 05:33:42 PM »
S C E N E ~ M U S I C
Transient
by Synkro


The Scroll rang exactly three times, exactly to the measure, before 'The Lady' picked up. The voice on the other end was feminine but distorted sounding, as though run through a synthesizer and remixed to strip away all sense of music from the voice -- what remained was a skeleton of tone and timbre accented with a dull echo and a dry electric crackle deep in its undertones. The effect was at once mysterious and impersonal, nevertheless there was no menace in it.

"Thank you for making this call, miss Petrichor. I'm known as the Lady of a Thousand Faces, and we have similar interests in, shall we say, the procurement of hard to come by goods. I was wondering if you might be willing in doing a little work for me. I promise fair pay for moderate risk, and you won't even have to leave Vale. What's more, you can keep half of what we'd be acquiring. Are you interested?"
« Last Edit: July 24, 2018, 06:05:39 PM by Riven »
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STUDENTS

Beacon Student: Rory Vogel, "The Scarlet Shield" ~ 1st Year, Team VCVS

Shade Student: Sean Acacia, "Grenadier" ~ 1st Year



OTHERS

Beacon Teacher / Experimental Botanist: Dr. Budonoki Sophos, Medical & Wilderness Specialist

Baker / Retired Huntsman: Alec Chadwick, owner of 'Fabled Goods' bakery

Pirate / Freelancer: Captain Cordell of the Red Corsair ~ Available For Hire!

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Micah Sere AKA "Prowler" ~ Danger, Avoid If Possible

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Maria Sanguine AKA "Bloody Mary" ~ Underworld operative, "The Lady of a Thousand Faces"

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« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2018, 10:35:39 PM »
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« Last Edit: August 27, 2023, 07:35:08 PM by . »

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Re: A Walk In The Shadows (Inex, CLOSED)
« Reply #10 on: May 13, 2018, 09:15:13 AM »
"A fine offer, though like yourself I prefer to remain largely anonymous in my dealings. On that note, I must commend you -- finding any sort of information on you has proven remarkably difficult, miss Petrichor, and I pride myself on being well informed." The voice on the other end paused, as if deliberating. "For many reasons I cannot meet you in person, at least not yet. However, I respect your preference for a face-to-face. Would you consider meeting another in my place? She is a trusted contact: discreet, capable, and empowered to speak on my behalf."
« Last Edit: July 24, 2018, 06:05:56 PM by Riven »
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STUDENTS

Beacon Student: Rory Vogel, "The Scarlet Shield" ~ 1st Year, Team VCVS

Shade Student: Sean Acacia, "Grenadier" ~ 1st Year



OTHERS

Beacon Teacher / Experimental Botanist: Dr. Budonoki Sophos, Medical & Wilderness Specialist

Baker / Retired Huntsman: Alec Chadwick, owner of 'Fabled Goods' bakery

Pirate / Freelancer: Captain Cordell of the Red Corsair ~ Available For Hire!

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Micah Sere AKA "Prowler" ~ Danger, Avoid If Possible

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Maria Sanguine AKA "Bloody Mary" ~ Underworld operative, "The Lady of a Thousand Faces"

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« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2018, 04:07:55 PM »
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« Last Edit: August 27, 2023, 07:36:37 PM by . »

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Re: A Walk In The Shadows (Inex, CLOSED)
« Reply #12 on: June 12, 2018, 12:21:00 PM »
"Wonderful. You'll know her by the symbol -- my symbol -- that she bears: a single drop of blood, worn in the form of small ruby earrings. Just let me know the address and I'll see that she meets you where and when you wish."





Some Time Later...


It had been a long time since Maria had walked around in Vale. The kingdom, known for its peaceful and balanced disposition, wasn't exactly rife with opportunity the way Mistral or Vacuo were... still, it was a far cry from the stern and insular nature of Atlas, to be sure. She'd kept herself to nondescript, business-casual attire, embracing short sleeves and pants with open seams that went halfway up her lower legs to make the most of the day's late-spring warmth -- a good day for gelato indeed. Thin-frame sunglasses rested on the curve of her nose, dimly reflecting the hustle and bustle around her as she navigated the streets and sidewalks. And of course, a subtle pair of teardrop-shaped rubies hung one to each ear. She put out a cigarette beneath her flat-heeled shoe as she spotted the gelato place up ahead, a soft smile gracing her lips.

It was time to meet "the invisible girl".
« Last Edit: July 24, 2018, 06:06:08 PM by Riven »
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STUDENTS

Beacon Student: Rory Vogel, "The Scarlet Shield" ~ 1st Year, Team VCVS

Shade Student: Sean Acacia, "Grenadier" ~ 1st Year



OTHERS

Beacon Teacher / Experimental Botanist: Dr. Budonoki Sophos, Medical & Wilderness Specialist

Baker / Retired Huntsman: Alec Chadwick, owner of 'Fabled Goods' bakery

Pirate / Freelancer: Captain Cordell of the Red Corsair ~ Available For Hire!

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Micah Sere AKA "Prowler" ~ Danger, Avoid If Possible

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Maria Sanguine AKA "Bloody Mary" ~ Underworld operative, "The Lady of a Thousand Faces"

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« Reply #13 on: June 23, 2018, 12:16:28 AM »
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« Last Edit: August 27, 2023, 07:37:43 PM by . »

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Re: A Walk In The Shadows (Inex, CLOSED)
« Reply #14 on: June 27, 2018, 05:56:39 PM »
Mozetti's Gelato struck Maria as a quiet, local place that was just a hint out of the way -- known by people from the area but not heavily trafficked, subtle without seeming covert, and with just enough of a crowd so that if the deal went sideways miss Petrichor could ensure Maria wouldn't try anything unpleasant. She had to give the girl credit, this clearly wasn't her first meet-and-greet.

Stepping inside, she glanced around and quickly spotted the only other woman in the room. Unless Amane was among those outside, or a master of disguise, this was her. A pleasant smile and a wave, as if greeting a friend, was cover for Maria doing her utmost to memorize every detail of her potential-accomplice's appearance... not knowing, unfortunately, that such an effort would be completely futile. Ordering a small cherry-vanilla in a dish, the understated young woman brought her ice cream over to where Amane was seated. "Miss Petrichor, I assume? I'm Julia Garnet, here on behalf of the Haema Foundation." Maria brushed away the hair from one ear so that her earring would be clearly visible, then extended her hand for a handshake.
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STUDENTS

Beacon Student: Rory Vogel, "The Scarlet Shield" ~ 1st Year, Team VCVS

Shade Student: Sean Acacia, "Grenadier" ~ 1st Year



OTHERS

Beacon Teacher / Experimental Botanist: Dr. Budonoki Sophos, Medical & Wilderness Specialist

Baker / Retired Huntsman: Alec Chadwick, owner of 'Fabled Goods' bakery

Pirate / Freelancer: Captain Cordell of the Red Corsair ~ Available For Hire!

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Micah Sere AKA "Prowler" ~ Danger, Avoid If Possible

Mercenary / Infiltrator: Maria Sanguine AKA "Bloody Mary" ~ Underworld operative, "The Lady of a Thousand Faces"