Kalam sighs, "Alas, a tragic lack of imagination...but I'll forgive you this once.", he winks at Halsanna before continuing, "So what would you suggest? Problem found, now how would you go about fixing it? Our job as ordered is to ensure the Kitten's take will no longer be light and to attempt to recover the money lost to this point. I daresay my solution should meet both requirements handily."
"And how do you suggest we go about this plan of yours, oh wise Kalam?" Daeron says this last bit dripping with sarcasm, though actually requesting Kalam expand on his plan.
Kalam smirks, "Oh come now, surely so brilliant a mind as yours can wrap itself around the basics I've already laid out. We know Lamm's little secret, all that's left is a simple conversation with the man. The man will want to remain healthy and in business, with a little convincing he'll be sure to see we're offering him the best possible solution. Of course there's still potential for complication but if he proves too shortsighted we can simply resort to more mundane means of accomplishing our task, no?"
"Your thinking is too simple. No offense, but you need to think two more steps ahead. The lads who supply him with the drugs will be pissed off when he has to tell him he no longer needs their services. Our duty is to ensure the Kitten stays profitable. I say we make inquiries as to where our Varisian friends reside and take away the splinter that's being a torn in the side of the Kitten. Whether we then take care of our friend down in the basement is something we can discuss later. He is the reason the thorn is there, but taking care of him won't remove it."
"So much work! At least nobody will mind if we take out our vexation on the Varisian. I'm starting to develop a headache from the absolute tedium of it all. Darlings, how am I expected to go on!? Maybe dinner and some scum gasping his life out at my feet would prove a panacea."
Kalam gives the doctor a sharp look, "And your understanding is woefully inadequate. A more critcal analysis will tell you that I did not suggest severing Lamm's deal with the Sczarni at all. From what the Lady Yil tells us they are providing a quality product and there would be no reason we couldn't share in the profits. But I'm getting the sense you people would be much happier taking the route of propriety and death? If this is our decision so be it, lets see if we can't locate these drug dealers and destroy a perfectly sound business. But know I will be holding each of you personally responsible for damage to my person in the attempt..."
Abramov isn't fazed by Kalam's retort, "They encroach upon the boss' territory AND make one of his employees dependant upon them while causing the joint, said employee is running, to fall behind in revenue. I do not see why our boss would want to deal with these Sczarni in a friendly manner .. or better put perhaps - if I were in his position, I wouldn't."
"Of course you wouldn't, but the trick to running a profitable business is to leave your sense of honor out of it. A clever employer has little care for methods so long as the bottom line is maintained. The Sczarni are only indirectly responsible for the for the fall in revenue. The real blame lies at the incompetent feet of Mr.Lamm who seems either too stupid or greedy to manage the loose ends associated with his business practices."
Kalam shrugs, "But then again the Sczarni don't seem overly adept at circumspection either. Perhaps it's better to rid Lowcleft of such amateurs. Very well, I would suggest we ambush the next shipment of...wares, as it arrives. Thus their numbers will be divided from the start, making routing them out of whatever hole they hide in that much easier."
"That's fine by me, but it might involve going into the lion's den with arms wide open. We best make sure we figure out roughly how many there are of them."
"But first lunch. I'm parched! I'm famished! I might wither away without an ile flottante, darlings."
The Sczarni are a loose collection of Varisian crime families, operating primarily in the cities and towns of Varisia, but found wherever significant numbers of Varisians gather. They focus is on the less violent crimes such as robbery, pickpocketing, and confidence schemes, and generally target only non-Varisians. They believe that this affords them the maximum profit with minimum risk. They may be driven out of town, beaten, jailed, or even mutilated, but rarely is a Sczarni put to death for his or her crimes. Their activities are notorious enough, however, that they have greatly contributed to the racial stereotype of Varisians as untrustworthy thieves. Being independently minded in the extreme, one Sczarni family will have next to nothing in common with another, other than their occupation, cultural background, and general methods.
Jaster Frallino is the leader of the Gallowed, one of the biggest gangs in Magnimar. He's also the proud owner of the Fish Tank - a dive in Rag's End.
Kalam smirks and looks the others quizzically, "So the real question is : Are we confident enough to take on the arguably largest street gang in this unruly city? Personally, I'm always the first to bet on me but for some strange reason I'm feeling rather acutely aware of my own mortality at the moment. Perhaps Halsanna is on to something? We could always wander down to the Fish Tank and take measure of our problem in person?"
He pauses for a moment, "However, I am entirely sure the Lady Yil is on the right track. We should move our conversation somewhere that offers warm food and decent refreshment. I for one have no intention of eating at the fish tank. Rag's End is known for many things but fine cuisine is not among them."
The party makes their way closer to the docks and finds themselves seated at a quiet waterside tavern enjoying a lunch of fried eels, carrots, and some good wine.
Though she loudly bemoans the lack of ile flottante or even a key-lime pie for dessert, the Lady Yll devours her meal with gusto. Never before have such impeccable table manners been married to such a voracious appetite.
Darlings, the situation is painfully simple. We have in essence fulfilled our mission. The consortium has asked us to determine why the Kitten's profits are declining, and we have done so. And, yet, I feel, we would impress no one if we returned now. Kalam has raised an understandable concern: he fears that he may be harmed demonstrating his strength over the beggar scum."
At this point, Yolanda reaches an amethyst hand across the table to pat Kalam's hand consolingly.
"But, let us be honest with ourselves, such concerns are so defeatist -- so middle class. Aim higher, darlings. Aim for aristio boldness. If we can seize these drugs, return the money, and at the same time bloody the noise of peasants who think to raise their eyes to the Aspis, then think how well we will be received upon our return. Let us (you) find where these drugs are, and then take them by any means necessary."
"What if our bosses expected us to do just that and sent us out as independent agents so they'd catch no blame if we were to fail or terribly screw up?"
The antsy doctor delivers precise cuts to his meat, but his eyes are all over the place. The sound of the front door being opened or closed puts him on the edge and any sounds coming from behind or to his side are met with a quick turn of his head.
"Yes, that's exactly what they are doing. That just means we cannot 'screw up.'"
Yolanda's words cause Abramov's right eyelid to twitch and spasm.
"Kalam, you are right. We have done little, and we must be ambitious if we're every going to be more than simple pageboys, doing errands for the Consortium's will. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have no desire to be a mook for the rest of my life."
Daeron looks around the room, studying the place. He was sure there was information to be had, and people to manipulate.
"Let us push the envelope here, even just a bit—Kalam and I have gotten out of many sticky situations before—I'm sure with five of us, we can handle much.
Kalam eats slowly, studying the other patrons in a casual fashion and washing each mouthful down with his mead. His attention returns to the group as Yolanda pats his hand and he grins at her.
"Your concern is touching my lady, though I think mainly of those left to mourn my tragic passing. Still, I wholly agree that there should be no half-measures involved with our solution. Mediocraty, much like failure is simply not an option when aiming to impress. Ordinarily I'd suggest that I insinuate myself into the Gallowed as a a young up and coming recruit. However, call me lazy if you must but I'm disinclined to waste a week or so pretending to be a mere racist thug on something so trivial as the Kitten's finances."
Kalam sighs heavily momentarily meets the eyes of the others before continuting, "It would seem we are left with solely with the direct approach. Surprisingly I'm disinclined to believe there is anything deeper going on here. The situation at the Kitten seems routed simply in the petty schemes of unimaginative criminals. In light of this I propose our next move should be to ambush the next drug shipment as it arrives at the Kitten. Once done I believe our next course of action should be much easier to determine. I'm sure we can...convince one of the deliverymen to enlighten us as to the headquarters of the Gallowed, what resistance we might find there and a dirth of other pertinent information. If nothing else we can at least send one back to inform Mr.Frallino that the Kitten is under the Aspis' protecton and Lamm's deal with him is henceforth terminated. If the consortium lacks the influence to back up such a claim I'm not entirely sure we should be hitching our wagons to them, so to speak."
He drains the last of his mead, "So, are we agreed?"
"I can find myself in that plan. It might take a couple of days though before the shipment comes in. Then there's one more thing. Do we tell our friend at the Kitten House that we're waiting for the shipment and if so, force out of him when the next shipment is due? Or do we wait?"
"I imagine one of the hostesses must know when the good usually arrive? Regardless, we will need to keep an eye on Mr.Lamm in the meantime. Wouldn't do to have him interfering in some way. Of course once we have have the shipment we will need to collect the wayward money from him and decide how best to punish the fool."
"If the next shipment is planned for this evening, then we must move quickly. Kalam, you know my strengths, and as much as I hate to admit them, my weaknesses. This is your plan—I will provide any assistance I can."
Daeron smirks at Kalam, acknowledging the rarity of his statement.
Kalam manages a seated bow to Daeron, "My my, such confidence. I suppose I'd better not get us all killed or I'd never hear the end of it!"
"Provided there are no objections I guess we'd better finish our meal and get back to the Kitten." I'll see what else the lovely Annabelle can tell me about the usual deliveries. Then we'll have some preperations to make."
"Daeron, if you could ensure Mr.Lamm remains in his office and does nothing stupid until the shipment arrives it would be rather appreciated."
"Halsanna, if you would put that mercenary's eye to work? Check out the loading area where we'll be accepting the delivery and decide where best to place our motley forces?"
"Abramov, kindly appropriate an out the way room and prep it for our impending Sczarni guest."
"Lady Yil, does Mr.Morris do else but tote baggage? I imagine we will need all hands on deck when the shipment actually arrives."
The party returns to the Kitten to find it much as when they left. The staff moves about cleaning up and preparing for the mid-day rush.
Annabelle greets Kalam with a bit of anxiety. "Welcome back to the Kitten House. I hope it's pleasure and not business that warrants your return", she says with knowing glance.
"It's always a pleasure to see you my lady. However it is in fact business that must be attended to at the moment. But with luck this should be the last time such is true. I'm afraid my companions and I will need your assistance for the immediate future."
Once she has secured her replacement, Kalam will maneuver Annabelle and the others to a quiet room, "Firstly, I must apologise for the strain we must put on your schedule and thank you for your continued accomedation. Secondly, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could tell us what you know about the Kitten's impending delivery of wares? Where are they usually recieved? Who from the staff does the recieving? How many men are on hand to make the delivery? That sort of thing."
Daeron sweeps in with a haughtiness often seen among nobles.
"M'lady Annabelle, I must speak with Master Lamm--I apologize for the intrusion, but I simply must speak to him. I will find him myself."
With that, Daeron sweeps past her toward Lamm's office.
"Sir! Sir! You can't just go back there. Guards!"
"Now, now, Annabelle. There's no need for that. I assure you, it will be better for everyone if you allow me to see Master Lamm."
With that, he pulls a gold coin from his pocket and begins to roll it through his fingers.
The woman calms down when the elf stops to speak to her. She pauses at the sight of the coin.
"This is just a taste, m'lady. There's more to come if you cooperate."
Annabelle sighs softly. "I will let Mr. Lamm know that you're interested in speaking with him but he didn't seem interested in visitors. What should I say is the nature of your business?"
The doctor followed the lead of the sultry enchantress, slightly disturbed by the intoxicating aura that followed her wherever she went, but enjoying it nonetheless.
Circling around back, Halsanna finds that the Kitten does have a rear entrance but that it's a one-way door. The alley is empty but the myriad muddy footprints suggest people come this way often.
"Tell him I need to speak with him about a business opportunity, one he would be foolish to ignore."
"I will tell him right away. Please wait here", Annabelle replies before exiting past Daeron into the basement office.
A few minutes later, she returns.
"Master Lamm will see you now", she says with a gesture toward the descending stairs.
Venturing into the musky basement office, Daeron finds the Kitten's manager. Lamm is an almost skeletally thin varisian man with a greasy comb-over. He gives the elf an appraising glance as he enters the room.
"What's this about a business venture? It had better be good. I'm a busy man."
"You strike me as a man who knows a good business opportunity when he sees it, Master Lamm. Well I have one for you, one that can expand the experience of you customers."
