Fate - First Reply Gilded Halls

[Azad]

"I'm in acquisitions." Azad said simply to Faye. A term that he had always enjoyed using, sounding a lot better than 'I steal things'.

Most people he dealt with in Thanasis didn't really give a shit either way, as long as you could do what you said nobody really cared what you called yourself. Carlyle and Faye however seemed a bit more particular, the former especially.

"Funny story really." He said to Faye. "We ran into each other in a hallway."

The joke was also a serious explanation in a way, and the truh. Though just as murky as someone in their business would expect. His head swiveling as he listened to Carlyle again. It was clear that he had a plan, and meant to follow it. "That sounds just fine to me."

Half the reason he'd never worked in a gang was the liability. Every time he depended on someone else, it usually turned out they were the sort not to be depended upon. He was more than happy to free up room for someone who would actually do something.

"I'm not interested in taking baubles either." The Thief warned. "If we’re going to be working together, it won’t be for anything small."

Simple as. He wouldn’t risk his neck for something that wasn’t worth it.

That was the rub of working with other people. You could do bigger jobs, get more money, but eventually, you had to give up a little bit of control.

 

[Faye Valimir]

Whatever Az had said seemed to please Faye, for she smiled and gestured them all to begin eating the dinner. She trusted Carlyle, had always trusted him as her father trusted him when they were both young, and knew him bringing along a guest to their home was a safe bet. She was not overly involved in the business, not when she was a glassblower before Carlyle had begun operations, but his line of work ensured she no longer had to spend months out in the Wylds to source dragon scales from dead gods or be at the mercy of the various creatures that walked this continent.

Faye lifted her glass, a light red reaching her lips as she took slow sips. She put it down, picking up her spoon and slowly swirled the steaming soup in the bowl before her. "Did your meeting take place in Lady Yuru's home?" Another client of Faye's, but the Lady of the House had a penchant for things not found commonly or easily in Thanasis. Carlyle had overheard the Lady speaking with Faye after a consultation in her workshop, marveling at the mastery Valimir used in implementing dragon scales to a piece. Yuru was aging, more than she had liked to, but suffered a pain that not even Ransa tears could heal. Carlyle knew what it was that would help, and from there built that trust with the noble lady.

 

[Carlyle Arevalo]

"Ambitious." Carlyle spoke through a spoonful of the soup. He would have been willing to fund Az no matter how high he aimed in his endeavors, but to hear his goals stated aloud re-affirmed to Arevalo that he was right about this one. "I wouldn't have it any other way. If we have the means, using them for anything but the most lucrative of prizes would be wasteful."

Tapping his spoon idly against the rim of his bowl, he closed his violet eyes and hummed in thought. That Az had made it into the estate of a noble like Yuru on his own was an impressive feat. Carlyle could only imagine what he'd be capable of with help, and it stemmed back to that strange little companion of his, that Dragon whom had totally escaped Carlyle's perception.

"I almost missed him entirely, even with Zeodag's eyes." He peered over at his lover, scooping up another mouthful of the steaming brew to his lips. Yuru had provided him with another order for Faye's services as well, but he'd wait until they had some privacy to broach that topic. Once the broth had settled in his gut, he continued. "A strange power you've got, Az. I can't say I grasp it, save that involves your friend. I take it he's also quite the sneak thief?"

He'd only briefly seen Az's dragon, smaller in size and quite nimble. He didn't see it now, however, and hadn't since that momentary glimpse, even on the walk back to the shop. How curious...

"Regardless, I've been looking for a reliable 'acquisitions' specialist for some time. It doesn't fall under Faye and I's specialties. My love is more talented at procuring rare and sought after materials, and mine is in the selling and transportation of those materials, perhaps outside of the normal trade regulations of Thanasis."

Smuggling was such an ugly word, after all...

Faye Valimir
Azad

 

[Faye Valimir]

Faye remained quiet for a while, allowing the men to talk. After all, it wasn't often that Carlyle brought someone to their home, especially when trying to hire someone.

Still listening to the conversation, she would dip her bread into her soup and take a bite of the softened piece, slowly finishing the cut before taking another thick cut slice, ripping it into a small piece and dunking it once more.

Carlyle was correct in describing what it was Faye did, building the reputation of collecting dragons scales from deceased bodies out in the Wyld, and even accepted donations from others after their bonded dropped a few. To connect with the people, the riders, Faye would make them glass trinkets with the scales at no cost, but in the end if bought them a loyalty. If trouble came their way, the name Valimir would ensure someone was to back her up, protect her and her services to this side of the Outer City.

She peered up at her love, watching him work as he now began discussions on what he was offering their dinner guest.

Azad
Carlyle Arevalo

 

[Azad]

Az tipped his head in a nod to Faye, answering her as her partner continued his sell.

It didn’t take a genius to unravel the code in which Caryle was speaking, but Az appreciated it all the same. Thanasis had no real police force, not one that actively investigated things. Every now and again someone would point an Ascendent into the street and they would…well, they would clean up the damn place.

One of em’ was usually enough, but when the gangs got particularly bad they would send two or three to tamp things back down. That was why no criminal ever got too big for themselves within the city, because if you did, a dragon would come calling.

The difference was here, apparently there was already a Dragon on the other side. Maybe two, if Faye had one. ”I have a light touch, Spinny’s got the…everything else.”

If any of his friends were still alive they would confirm that Azad really was quite the thief. Even before getting Spinny, he’d made a reputation for himself as a man who could get in an out of almost everywhere. After he’d bonded the Dragon? The game almost became as simple as playing against a child.

”Sounds like we could all benefit from working together.” Az said. ”Did you…already have your eye on something?”

He mused to the two of them. A lot of rare and valuable things in Thanasis that would fetch quite the price elsewhere.”

Azad said, glancing between the two of them with a smile. Spinny, slowly turning at his side as excitement began to build.

The Little Dragon practically able to feel when something was about to be stolen.

 

[Carlyle Arevalo]

Carlyle could scant hide his curiosity over the strange dragon that Az so affectionately regarded as 'Spinny', but he held his tongue. The creature allowed Az to achieve feats of stealth unheard of to most mortal men, and that boon far outweighed his want for knowledge.

"Indeed." He nodded along with his visitor's summation, skimming his spoon along the edge of the bowl before scooping another bite into his mouth. "I think it'd be a shame to waste the opportunity fate has placed before us. Our paths did not cross by chance, of this I'm confident." A woman of faith had raised Carlyle, but it was not the divine that fueled him. When one suffered through the trials that Arevalo had, you came to believe in the invisible hands of fate, lest your life be defined by pure luck.

And just as his new partner had surmised, Carlyle did have a particular target in mind, something even he hadn't dared to target without assistance. Briefly, his violet eyes sought those of his lover, watching him with that silent adoration that fueled his every breath.

No, he couldn't. Not yet. He needed to speak to her alone first.

"I propose a test. A small task, to ensure that we are compatible on the field." Arevalo pushed forward his nearly empty bowl, narrowing his gaze down at the table in front of him for a moment as he confirmed the choice in his own mind. "While I do have a lucrative prize for us to pursue, I did not expect the means to appear so suddenly, and preparations need to be made. This test will ease any doubts between us, and give me the time I need."

Azad Faye Valimir

 

[Azad]

Azad frowned, his lips pressing to a thin line as he considered Carlyle’s words.

It was a pragmatic enough request, and in truth he couldn't even blame the man. The two of them had told him quite a bit, but all of them were still nothing more than strangers. Pulling a job with people you didn't know could have its advantages, but if the play was a big one? Better that the guy next to you was a known quantity rather than some random brigand picked up in the streets.

Or a manor house in this case. ”Fair enough.”

Az said with a nod of his head. Letting the frown slip from his features as he smiled.

”But I never work for free.” He was done doing that. As an Urchin he'd been corralled like many others into the begging gangs. Spending days on end stealing and scraping for as much coin as he could. Paying up to the bigger kids and earning only scraps for himself. The thief had promised himself long ago he'd never do something like that again. ”So whatever it is, it'll have to at least be worth it.”

He said, offering the small negotiation with a look at the couple.

 

[Carlyle Arevalo]

(Somebody forgot it was their turn. Whoops.)

It was obvious to anybody with a semblance of savvy that Az wasn't a fan of the idea. The stony expression that crossed his lips spoke as much. Still, it couldn't be denied that such a test run was in the best interest of all three parties, if for no other reason than to provide a blanket level of... confidence, in one another's ability.

That he asked to be compensated was of no consequence, Carlyle waved off the concern and laid back against his chair. No, their goal had already been decided, and it was one well worth all of their time. "You had no difficulty infiltrating the Yuru estate, but I worry that perhaps I interrupted you before you could make off with any meaningful profit." This was not to be a test of Az's skill; Carlyle had already seen that demonstrated. No, this was about cooperation: What he and Faye could add. "Did you know, Az, that there is a well-hidden vault within that home?"

Lady Yuru loved adorning her halls with gaudy, obnoxious knick-a-brack, but there was a room, tucked away deep within the estate, where she kept that which she dare not display so openly. Carlyle drummed his fingertips on the table, toying with one of his rings as he glanced over at Faye. "Dear Faye has seen it firsthand. A previous work was delivered directly to this vault, in fact. The mechanism to enter is... complicated. Despite knowing its location, I've had no means of opening it, at least not one that I felt confident in."

A slow smirk grew on his lips as he met Az's eyes.

"Until now."

Azad Faye Valimir

 

[Faye Valimir]

"By the end of this week, I will have finished the latest piece for the Lady. Once it is done, a message will be sent to her, and she will write back when she would like the delivery to be done." Standard procedure. A carriage would be sent to the glassblower to escort her and the precious and fragile art she creates.

She set done her spoon and looked to Carlyle, her shoulders lifting with inhale and slowly lowering as she exhales through a small part in her lips. "Any luck on the Ēarendel scales I will need for the project? It seems to be her favoured dragon." The iridescent beasts were the hardest to acquire scales of, but not impossible.

Faye turned her earthy green eyes to their guest, a small, calculated smile spreading on her lips. "The Lady has an eye for detail, prefers complexities over simplicity. No matter how many times I may witnessed entering the vault, I seem to miss a step or action..."

 

[Azad]

Ah.

Azad was quick enough to catch what the two were proposing, and the thought was more than a little enticing. The good Lady Yuru was one of the wealthiest people in Thanasis. Not one of the Ascendent, nor royalty, but the proprietor of several extremely profitable businesses. Her home was decorated with some of the finest art in all of Malakath, not to mention all the gild and gold she kept around the place.

He'd had no idea of a vault, having only ever been able to stake out the manor from the outside, but he was entirely unsurprised at the reveal that one existed. If the woman kept such ostentatious displays outside in her home, he could only fantasize about what she might consider hiding.

A small smile pulled on his lips. ”Oh, is that all? I thought it would be harder.”

Confidence and cockiness drew through his tone.

From what they described, all he would have to do was walk in and watch as lady Yuru opened her vault. A simple task really, particularly when to most eyes he was completely invisible. At least as long as Spinny was around.

”I can open the vault.” He said confidently. Even if he could not observe everything, he knew a few names that could point him towards cracking the mechanism. ”The problem will be in getting the goods out.”

The thief said with a frown. ”Me and Spinny can only carry so much, so we'll need a distraction if we want to take anything more than I can hold.”

He reasoned as they planned their caper.

 

[Carlyle Arevalo]

Carlyle smiled over to his lover, nodding at the mention of the scales she'd requested of him a few weeks prior. "Yes, darling. They should be in your hand within a few more days. Just waiting for the donor to arrive." He assured her, waving a hand. "There was a storm along the wall, I believe her rider got delayed. Not something to fret over, though."

He hadn't been expecting Faye to speak so openly of their methods, quite honestly; the poaching of dragon scales was a rather taboo career even among criminals. However, Arevalo supposed that their new partner would find out exactly how she acquired her supplies eventually anyway. If he had second thoughts, may as well confront them now.

"I appreciate your confidence," Carlyle returned his attention to Azad, smirking at the man's assuredness in his ability. "But I did refer to this as a test. I have much higher value targets in mind for the future. This is just the preliminary, my friend." Yuru's vault was a daring feat of thievery, but Carlyle believed the only reason it hadn't been emptied already was chiefly because its existence was so well hidden.

"Once Faye finishes the piece, she will deliver it personally to Yuru's vault. As it is quite a complex and fragile work, she never makes deliveries without helpers. You will be one of those helpers, offering you a completely legitimate means of entry."

Assuming that little dragon of his was as good as Arevalo suspected, Yuru or her attendants would not recognize Az.

"As for your exit, that will be my burden to bear. Worry not; you'll have your window."

Azad
Faye Valimir

 

[Faye Valimir]

Faye arched a brow.

She was less concerned about this new guy doing a good job in the test Carlyle laid out for him than him being trusted to help transport the delicate and fragile artwork she would be delivering for one of her best customers. Yuru will be wary of the newcomer, but Faye was a charmed and sure artist and woman that she was sure she could win over the Lady with ease.

And so, the woman shrugged as she continued to eat her meal, letting her love continue the conversation.

She would finish her dinner before the both of them, in a hurry to get back into the workshop and call down her bonded to help the blazes going for a few smaller work pieces. Before she left the table, leaving the dishes for Carlyle to clear as was their routine, Faye would steal a kiss from him before nodding to their guest.

 

[Azad]

Az pressed his lips to a thin line.

He'd never much liked working out in the open. Con-men could make quite a bit of money, but everyone and their mother saw their faces. Azad preferred slips. Quick jobs where he could break in, take what he wanted, and then get out. Never leaving a sign that he would be around at all, but with this job...

Carlyle's plan was a good one, a great one really. Even Az couldn't deny that. "Alright..."

He said with a flicker of nerves, but didn't push back. Instead he glanced down at Spinny, and for the first time found himself wondering if the Dragon could do more than just hide him. They had never really explored his abilities, simply going by the way of feel.

For a moment more he stared, the little Dragon looking up at him with a happy trill.

With a smile on his face, Az looked back up at his host.

"Lets see how it goes." The thief said, thinking there was nothing else to say. The plan was sound, and although he wished they could somehow practice, this was only a try out.

No point in delaying things. "I'll be ready when you are."

 

[Carlyle Arevalo]

Before Az departed their home, Carlyle gave him a date to return, as well as a list of items to bring with him. He did not insult his new partner's intelligence by telling him to bring basic thieving tools but instead listed what he would need to pass off as one of Faye's assistants.

These men were highly trained and possessed equipment vital to handling Valimir's delicate creations. This included specialized gloves that prevented the heat of his hands from deforming the finished product on the unlikely chance he touched a weak spot, and an array of tools for carefully unpacking the crate the work was to be contained in.

Rather than adding to Az's expenditure by requiring he purchase these tools on his own, Carlyle listed locations within the city where they could be simply stolen by a man of his talent. If Az griped about the extra work, Arevalo would merely point out the sizable selling value of the tools. That should be enough to sate him.

Over the course of the next three days, Faye put the finishing touches on her latest piece for Lady Yuru, while Carlyle paid several visits to the noblewoman under the guise of pleasant conversation with a high-paying client. During these visits, Arevalo would plant the story in her head that one of Faye's helpers had been wounded in a forging accident, and they'd needed to make a quick replacement hire.

Though she may look twice, the all-too-trusting Yuru would give Az's presence the benefit of the doubt.

Finally the day had come when it all was to be put into action. Carlyle stood outside the Valimir Estate, waiting for Az's arrival, and for Faye to finish packaging her latest masterful work of art. Yuru expected them in one hour's time.

Rather, she expected Az and Faye.

Carlyle had a different part to play.

Faye Valimir Azad

 

[Faye Valimir]

Faye liked a challenge.

Lady Yuru had always dreamt of the stars, and Faye delivered such a vision. She then spoke of a delicate bouquet of orchids, and Faye created such treasured blooms. This commission asked of her to bring to life a centrepiece for an upcoming party event, to celebrate the end of the summer season. Faye had to acquire the Ēarendel scales to pull off the piece, knowing her client well now to know what would make her happy.

A fountain piece, something to marvel at atop the fountain in the Yuru Estate gardens. Ēarendel scales glittered in the glass depiction of a blooming moon flower, where Faye had a trained smith work down the scales into smaller pieces to be delicately placed in her creation.

All boxed and safely secured, Faye poked her head out from the workshop doors that opened to the front of the street. "Is he here yet?"

 

[Azad]

Azad seemed to appear from nothing as he joined his new crewmembers. Stepping not from out of a crowd or alleyway, but seemingly thin air. Spinny's odd powers drawing free of him as he approached Faye and Carlyle a small smile on his lips. "He's here."

The Thief confirmed.

"Not a second late, I might add." Punctuality in their line of business was as important as could be. Timing was the very thing which kept a plan from falling apart. Doing things even a second too late could be utterly disastrous, but so could being early.

In polite society, doing something before you were supposed to was seen as a good thing. It meant you were respectful and shit, but in the course of crime it would only ever fuck things up. A scheme like this had to be done exactly right. Not too early, not too late.

Exactly right. "We ready?"

He asked, glancing between the two of them.

Carlyle had told him most of the plan the last time they were together, and the burden of most of it had been on them. As far as he knew everything was set to go, they were here after all.

 

[Carlyle Arevalo]

Carlyle had been lost in his thoughts and designs for what was to come in the following hours. At least, that is what it appeared from an outside perspective. In reality, Arevalo sought the counsel of the black behemoth Zeodag flying high overhead, a quiet and impatient temperament soaking every thought his Bondmate shared with him, far too eager to disrupt and destroy.

He'd have his chance.

Arevalo stiffened slightly at Faye's call, opening his eyes and turning towards his lover as her head emerged from one of the workshop windows. Her face glistened with sweat from the heat of her nest, and Carlyle smiled at the sight, always drawn to the artist within the beauty. "Any moment, I'd wager. I take it you've finished your work?"

Faye hadn't a chance to answer before Az seemingly materialized from nothing to announce his presence. Impressive, but also an act that somewhat irked Carlyle, if only because he still could not grasp how such an ability worked. Withholding his annoyance, the violet-haired man turned to his newfound partner and nodded his head, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yes. I do believe Faye has just place the finishing touches on our ticket inside. Come, let's not dally."

---

If 'Az' ever decided to hang up his lockpicks, he'd make a fine helper for Faye. He proved himself far more capable than her usual crew, hoisting the glass sculpture onto the wooden supports and into the large crate that carried it with more grace than he'd seen from any besides Valimir herself. It paid to have careful hands in their trade, he supposed.

Now, both Az and Faye wheeled the packaged sculpture through the gates of the Yuru estate, not an eye on them as they traveled the long stone path through the gardens that adorned the front of the manor. It was not until they reached the large entryway that they were stopped by two armed guards, though they familiar with one of their visitors already.

"Miss Valimir!" Chirped the man who stepped forward to look them over. "It's always a pleasure to see you out and about in the sun, Madame! I do hope you're well? No trouble getting through the gates?" For better or for worse, Valimir was still a bachelorette and a desirable one at that. Despite Carlyle's presence, many still fell victim to her charms, often to a fault.

Briefly, the Guard's eyes fettered over to Az, gaze narrowing and stance tightening as he squared the stranger up.

"Who's this then? Don't recognize him, is Dilan not helping you anymore?"

Azad Faye Valimir

 

[Faye Valimir]

"At ease, Ballon." Faye smiled. For the delivery, the glassblower had made herself look more put together than she did around her home. Her black hair was pulled away from her face, combed and styled into neat waves that showed the sheer length of the dark waterfall at her back, and her dress made from material much too nice on the income of a glassblower, but Faye was fortunate enough to be born a Valimir, a name known over centuries for their talents in the arts. Her skill and name brought her the rich clients, and the handsome pay that came with their custom demands.

"This is merely a new recruit to my team, and I thought Dilan deserved a day off today... and besides, Lady Yuru's daughter took quite a liking to him, he was embarrassed." For the young lady was to be wed, she had looked to Faye's usual delivery man for a way out.

Gesturing to Azad , Faye smirked at him. "Want to introduce yourself?"

Ballon stepped forward and held his hand out for the papers in Faye's hands, which she handed over. They were details about the delivery, and the sum of the payment she expected for her hard work and the materials used in the piece. Valimir was soon to receive a nice pay day from this custom job.

It just had to go perfectly.