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