"I would rather have your blood pump fiercely for other reasons, A'maelamin." There was a teasing glint in her turquoise eyes. Then more seriously, she added, "Fear not, I will not play the coquette. Amen can ply him with her ample charms." Her words were spoken softly as they were intended only for his ears.
Looking around the others on deck, Rain nodded at the suggestion that Dhaavan and Amen-set attempt to sway the man first and if that did not work then the group would use a little force and magic to get what they required from the assassin.
Adular is busy praying, but if told of the plan to try diplomacy first, he'll give a brief nod, and keeps praying. Carrot before stick is fine with him.
|
Variel will let the others know of the plans so they all may be aware of the situation and plan accordingly for the coming day. Flynn's suggestion about another assassin being valid Variel makes sure the captive is still secure before heading to bed.
Seijiro, not having any real diplomatic skills, merely waits for the others to decide when to question the man, and attends to witness and learn.
The Next Morning - Botting for Dhaavan
Dhaavan will great the others with his customary grin and cheerful affability.
”Morning, all! So, anyone want to give me a hand with chatting it up with this lad?” he asks the other officers.
”I figure me and Amen here can do what we can to soften him up, and then we ask whatever questions are needed. Hopefully he’ll we’ll get the straight word on information and then we can go from there,” he says to the other officers, not sure who wants to interview this assassin and who doesn’t.
He keeps his personal opinions about the assassin to himself as he prepares himself to question the man and hopefully get some information from him –
Dhaavan comes inside the cabin and sits down across from the man while Amen-set stands behind him, her face neutral.
”Hey there,” he says to the man slowly as he watches him.
”Right now I’m sure you’d like to get out of here and go back to what you’ve been up, but we can’t do that until we get some answers. Once we get the answers, to be honest, I got no problem with seeing you on your way.”
”You did a job, but you didn’t hurt us; we’re just looking for some information.”
”Come on, now; do what you can to help us out and we’ll see what we can do for you, eh?” he says, doing his best to persuade the man share information.
Amen-set glances at Dhaavan and then the assassin.
”I can not say myself what shall happen to you after you speak to us, yet if you are honest with your answers to us, I give you my word that whatever Fate may be prepared for you shall be tempered with mercy,” she says sincerely, then glances at Dhaavan for a moment and he smiles and nods at her words.
”We have our own cares and business; help us accomplish them with ease and we shall do what we can to make sure that you receive fair treatment.”
Seijiro just sits in the shadows and observes, curious, and impressed as well, at Dhaavan's skill and Amen-set's seamless assist.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The man looks back at you for a moment before shrugging and saying in heavily accented common, Alrights den. Whazzit yous wants ta knows den?
When you mention your questions he begins to answer relatively freely. Name be Giles Halmis and that nasty bird man be my last mark. My contract was to kill Haddon, Roweena, and Corlan. Theys all dead. As for who signed me contract, that be Zarskia Galembar of the Jasperleaf Apothecary in Port Peril. That said, if'n your goin there, the password be "two pounds of powdered thileu bark." That'll get ye entrance to a secluded meeting room where ye can do yer business. If'n ye do go and ye got a minds to, try an kill that b+@&& Mwangi Zarskia if ye can. All filthy, them Mwangi. Don't know who she be workin for nor nothing about no Shankshea or whatever the hells ye call that. As for poison, got that from the Apothecary b*$!! I did. Don't right like using it but the whore insisted. Anything else?
Anything else?
Dhaavan strokes his beard thoughtfully.
"You've been pretty square with us so far and I'll tell you, I don't have a problem with you, but as for other questions?"
He glances at Amen-set, then turns back to the guy.
"Well, I figure it might be good to know how you getting around, do you have a ship here? And if you do, where is it? Also, do you have any other mates helping you on this caper nearby?" he adds.
Amen-set leans in and whispers something to him and his eyes light up -
"Oh, and do you know anything about something called "Shanxia"?" he presses as she leans back.
Giles shakes his head and says Nah I works alone. As fer a ship, I just was gonna book passage like anyone else. Acting normal is the key to stayin invisible. People think it's those that are stealthy that are best assassins, in truth, it be those that are forgettable. Now I says before, don't know nothin bout Shankshea or whatever ye said. Never heard of it. It some sort o'code word or somethin?
Giles shakes his head and says Nah I works alone. As fer a ship, I just was gonna book passage like anyone else. Acting normal is the key to stayin invisible. People think it's those that are stealthy that are best assassins, in truth, it be those that are forgettable. Now I says before, don't know nothin bout Shankshea or whatever ye said. Never heard of it. It some sort o'code word or somethin?
Dhaavan looks at whoever else in the room and shrugs about the Shanxia thing.
"Nah, no code, not as far as I know."
"Call me curious, I guess - just wondered if you heard of the word," he adds with a bright smile.
"Well, that's pretty much all I can think of to ask you. Why don't you wait here a moment for me to confer with my colleagues?" he says to the man, then tips his hat.
Meanwhile, the tattoo of his Thrush suddenly comes alive and waits in the room, too; watching the men with it's intent eyes.
"So, I'm not sure what your arrangement with this guy was, but me and Amen kind of promised we'd do what we could to be merciful to him."
"It's not a big deal to me if you aren't, on the other hand, this guy is kind of "connected". If we let him go he might be willing to help us out later down the line?"
He glances around and then shrugs.
"Anyhow, it's your call. I wasn't there when things went down so I don't know what you have planned for him, but I figured I would share that with you, just in case."
As for who signed me contract, that be Zarskia Galembar of the Jasperleaf Apothecary in Port Peril. ... All filthy, them Mwangi. Don't know who she be workin for nor nothing about no Shankshea or whatever the hells ye call that. As for poison, got that from the Apothecary b&$#@ I did. Don't right like using it but the whore insisted. Anything else?
Rain had listened without interruption to the assassin, Giles Halmis, and silently pondered if she had heard the Mwangi woman's name (or her reputation) mentioned in passing before or her apothecary business in Port Peril.
"So, I'm not sure what your arrangement with this guy was, but me and Amen kind of promised we'd do what we could to be merciful to him."
Rain, her gaze fixed on Giles, asked, "If indeed we show you mercy and let you go on your way, then you owe us and you will not reveal our identities or what has been spoken of here to your employers or any who should ask?"
Amen-set trusts Dhaavan's diplomatic skills, but peers hard at the assassin to gauge his response to Rain's question.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Fine by me darlin. No need to talk to no one as I been paid already. Ye let me go and I'll forget all about this meet'n.
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
other contraband goods there as well.
|
|
Variel listens intently as Shanxia is brought up figuring the assassin would have some knowledge of it. when nothing cameof it though Variel sighed and let Dhaavan and Amen finish their task. When the talk of what to do with Giles only then does he pipe up. That still seems like a risky proposition. One minute Giles.
To the rest quietly, What if we keep him on as crew? We can keep an eye on him and prevent him from talking to others and it is another crewman for us? We will have to watch him closely at first though.
After the assassin's assertions he would not speak a word of their encounter, Variel called the officers together for a private conversation.
"Would an assassin-for-hire want to work on a ship? So far I have not sensed any deception in his words. If you feel it would best to offer him a position on the Lady, I have no argument against it at this time."
She paused and continued more quietly,
"I know where this apothecary is located in Port Peril - corner of Fiddler's Lane and Anchor Way. This Zariska runs the shop, and bought the old mansion there three years and and converted into a place of business. She employs a number of ex-pirates as guards and does sell more than the usual poultices and medicines. I've heard talk that she secretly deals in poisons and other contraband goods through the store. The assassin did confirm she gave him the poison."
What if we keep him on as crew? We can keep an eye on him and prevent him from talking to others and it is another crewman for us? We will have to watch him closely at first though.
Horatio peers at the man, his eyes flicking back to Variel.
"If he's willing to work with us, it could work. But I don't think that'll happen," he says with a shrug.
"Did you hear his speech about ships or comrades? He sounds like a man who doesn't want to be attached to anything. Free to go where he wants and do what he does; kind of a 'lone gunman' sort, I'd wager," he adds.
"But that's just a hunch; if he's willing to do the usual labor on a ship - honest pay for, well... for working for us - then it might work."
"All the same, I don't plan on trusting him, even if he does end up working for us."
|
|
It is true that he may not want to join with us but I feel that it is an option that we must pursue. Better to have him under watch then free to report against us. Besides it may also give us chance to ask more questions to him if we think of such things. For instance, I am wondering how many people are at this apothecary that Rain knows about. Looking at Flynn and Dhaavan, I would think that both of you would keep an eye on him. Dhaavan would you make him the offer?
Getting more of the details from Rain about the Apothecary Variel is amazed at her knowledge of the place. If what you assay is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, then perhaps one of us should enter in and make some minor purchases just to see how many people are there. then we regroup and decide if we try a direct approach or wait till night to enter in quietly.
I would think that both of you would keep an eye on him. Dhaavan would you make him the offer?
"Sure thing, cap'," Dhaavan says with a grin at Variel, then turns to Horatio.
"Come on, Flynn, lighten up!We haven't even asked the guy and you're already thinking he's going to say 'no' without even trying? Show a little optimism, eh?" he says as he gives Flynn a wink and a grin as Horatio turns a baleful gaze toward Dhaavan and blows a twin stream of smoke through his nostrils as he rolls his eyes.
Seeing Horatio's look doesn't stop Dhaavan's action and he instead approached the assassin.
"Hey there, mate," he say to the man, a wide smile on his face, as he hands him a cup of rum.
"Now it's true, we did say we'd let you go, and so far we aren't having any issues with that. But we thought that maybe you'd be eager to sail with us for a spell?" he says as little flames lick over his fingers and he grins at his joke.
"For what it's worth, this isn't an order or a demand, it's just us offering you a place on our ship with good work and good people. You can see we're tough and you can see we're skilled, but we're also trustworthy enough to honor a deal - maybe that's better treatment than you'd get from other folk you've worked with?"
"That said, whatta' you say?" he says with a devilish smile.
As Dhaavan attempts to recruit the assassin to the crew, Horatio swings himself from the gunwale and moves to Variel –
”Begging your pardon, Captain-General,” he says with a glance at the horizon ”but it seems to me that we’ve been sitting her for a long-ass time.”
”Look, all I'm saying is that we got the information we need; so what are we waiting for?”
He studies the sky for a moment.
”I know you want the first officer to recruit this lad to the ship, but while that waits to happen maybe we could order the lads to get the ship to sail?”
”It sounds to me like we need to go to Port Peril if we want to deal with the contractor, sooner than later, eh?”
He glances at Jiro and Adular, his eyes flicking to Rain, then back to Variel.
”We’ve had more than enough time for everyone to toss in their opinions on the matter.”
”That said – if no one has anything to add then how about we get about it and get ready to sail now?” he says with a polite but sincere query to Variel.
”Because if we’re not going to take some actions, what the hell are we doing, you know what I mean?” he says as he suddenly glances at the sky, as if checking the weather or looking heavenward to the gods themselves for answers.
Hey all sorry for the lack of posting. Still very much in but work blocked the proxy I was using to get around their web filter and that's where I do most of my posting. Trying to find another way around it. May have to resort to emailing myself and posting through phone or something stupid like that.
The man seems to be pondering it for a while before shaking his head and saying Sorry mate, I roll alone and I don't think you all can afford me.
The man seems to be pondering it for a while before shaking his head and saying Sorry mate, I roll alone and I don't think you all can afford me.
Dhaavan nods sympathetically to the man.
"Well, I understand. Nothing like doing your own thing and being your own man," he says with a cheerful grin.
Dhaavan turns and walks to Variel -
"Sorry, cap', but I did my best. I just don't think he's interest in sticking around. Still, maybe you might be able to convince him?" he says.
For now Dhaavan will let Variel, Rain, Adular and Jiro the chance to plan on what to do via the assassin, but he's done all he can and the man just doesn't seem very interested.
As the other officers consider their options, Dhaavan will turn his cheeky grin at the rest of the crew.
"Alright, lads and lasses; this is your First Officer. I want every one of you to get to work and be ready to sail!" he calls out lustily.
"We're setting course to Port Peril," he adds with enthusiasm.
"To Port Peril? I thought we had other plans first... " He shrugs, obviously going where the Dread Lady is going, but a little confused as to destination.
|
|
Once Variel hears that the assassin has no interest with joining them then he motions for Dhaavan and others to do what they want with him. Kill him, press gang him, or if you believe him enough that he will not pose a problem to us them let him go once we reach port peril and cooperate his story. I just don't want to have to worry about him again. We got the information we needed from for now. If you want to let him know that he just got free portage to Port Peril for his compliance with us. From there he can gain passage on any ship he wants and go from there. I believe you never said where you would let him go correct?
He then gives the order for the crew to be ready at Rain's command to set sail.
The man looks at you all and says So you planning on lettin' me go then? As soon as I grab my effects I'll be out of your way. Besides, my jobs done fer now.
The man looks at you all and says So you planning on lettin' me go then? As soon as I grab my effects I'll be out of your way. Besides, my jobs done fer now.
Dhaavan shrugs.
"Fine by me," he says.
"As for the rest of the gang? I figure they're all okay with that plan. Hell, if they had any issues, we'd know about it by now, right?" he tells the assassin.
He turns to Variel -
"No worries about ordering anyone to get ready to sail, cap," he says with a grin.
"I already took care of that myself while we were waiting," he adds as he tips his forelock and gives Variel a wink.
Kill him, press gang him, or if you believe him enough that he will not pose a problem to us them let him go once we reach port peril and corroborate his story. I just don't want to have to worry about him again.
So you planning on lettin' me go then? As soon as I grab my effects I'll be out of your way. Besides, my jobs done fer now.
Rain moved without word to the bound assassin. She crouched eye level with him and spoke her next words low with a deliberate undertone of threat.
Mark me, Giles Halmis, if you ever try to harm me or my companions in days, months or years to come or accept a contract on any of our heads, know I will track you down and kill you. We Elves live a long life and we have long memories. I will not forget your face. You may take your weapon and gear and you are free to leave the ship." She drew her dagger and cut his bonds.
Her turquoise eyes bored into the man's to import her meaning before turning to Variel.
"I do not believe we need transport this man. He is resourceful enough to find his own way - he appears to favour his independence."
He then gives the order for the crew to be ready at Rain's command to set sail.
"I already took care of that myself while we were waiting," he adds as he tips his forelock and gives Variel a wink.
"To Port Peril? I thought we had other plans first... "
"It would seem our plans have changed momentarily, Jiro. There is an urgency to get to Jasperleaf Apothecary in Port Peril and perhaps have a word with Zarskia Galembar", she gave the kitsune a small smile as her thoughts were occupied with how they would extract the information from the Mwangi woman.
If what you say is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, then perhaps one of us should enter in and make some minor purchases just to see how many people are there. Then we regroup and decide if we try a direct approach or wait till night to enter in quietly.
Rain's eyes moved to the sorcerer First Mate, "Dhaavan has the smoothest tongue to beguile and impress. He could go in and look about the shop. I will stay close, in the alley by the shop, as backup, if things go unexpectedly awry. What do you say, Dhavaan? Are you eager to expertly ply the Mwangi apothecary with your charms to see if she bites?"
She knew Jiro was capable of such a ruse, too, but the sorcerer possessed guile in abundance.
As the crew finalised their preparations, Rain made her own preparations and then went to the Wheel and gave the order to weigh anchor and set sail for Port Peril.
Seijiro sighs and nods... "I understand, was just hoping to go back to Quent. I guess that will have to wait... " He seems almost anxious to set sail now and get to Port Peril...
"I'd be happy to wait in the alley with you, Rain. NOt that I doubt Dhaavan's ability to get what he needs .. he can be quite persuasive."
At the mention of Quent, Rain's thoughts turned to the cause of the Kitsune Quartermaster's despondent sigh. I have never seen Jiro this love sick ... His thoughts, of late, are invariably on his Kitsune lover. Rain knew to keep her thoughts to herself and not embarrass him. Could he be in love with the Calistrian courtesan? Or was it newborn lust and the thrill of passion?
Rain smiled and nodded her head, "Happy for the company, Jiro. Two sets of eyes are better than one. And if Dhaavan needs us, we will be ready to approach and enter."
"Alright... well, I'd best get some rest if I'm going to relieve you for the night hours. See you later, Rain."
"See you at dusk, Jiro. Rest well," and with a smile she turned back to the ocean vista before her, feeling the Lady traverse over the waves with an ease and grace.
"I'm not one for pressgangs meself." Adular says. If he seems distracted, it's because he's thinking of just when he'll have time ot pick up an order he made with a certain woodcarver.
The man smiles and says As you say darlin. You all done as right as can be expected by me. You'll not hear bad from me, nor will I take contract against you or yours in the future.
Once you give him his stuff and let him go, he heads off the ship to seek passage.
----------------------------------------------------
The weather looks to be clear today but tomorrow you think a pretty powerful storm maybe getting spinned off of the Eye of Abendego through the Shackles. Seas will be rough as you head into Port Peril so you will need to be careful maneuvering around the reefs and shoals. The first day goes by well, Rain making excellent time, the Lady slicing through the water with ease. During the night however, the storm hits with a vengeance, it is nothing like skimming the Eye but powerful nonetheless. Rain manages to get you all through to Port Peril but spies one of Harrigan's ships caught on a reef...which lifts your spirits immensely.
Pulling into the dock, you manage to tie her off and pay the dockmaster without any more incidents.
She drew a long breath as she safely docked the Lady in Port Peril's harbour. The storm had been challenging but the Lady had proven herself once again.
After docking fees were paid to the harbourmaster, Rain called Neko to her side and looked to her companions.
"We still have light and will for several hours. What now? Do we make our way presently to the apothecary shop and set up a watch as Dhaavan moves in? Or do we wait until evening and use the shadows and dusk as cover?"
"We still have light and will for several hours. What now? Do we make our way presently to the apothecary shop and set up a watch as Dhaavan moves in? Or do we wait until evening and use the shadows and dusk as cover?"
Horatio rubs his chin thoughtfully.
"I think it all depends on what we want to do."
"This person paid for some killings to be done, right? But the apothecary shop is still their primary business, or at least their "front" for whatever it is they do for real money."
"Either way you slice it, if someone walk into the shop won't the owner, as well as any casual witnesses, just figure whoever is walking in is just looking for an apothecary? I mean, we could go stealthy, but if someone did manage to see us being sly they'd be suspicious."
"If we just walked in and said we were looking for the owner about a job I think most people would simply ignore us..."
He glances at Rain, then the others.
"Don't mistake me, I'm not saying what we ought to do, but I guess I'm a little foggy on our plans here is all."
"If we wait til dark or even dusk, might the shop not be closed, and then we'd have to wait til morning... I think we should just go now and Dhaavan should ask to speak to the proprietor... go from there."
Horatio glances at Jiro, then it seems as if he is thinking for a long moment.
Horatio then turns to Rain and looks at her for a while.
"You know what, I thought it over."
"I'm still pretty confused as to what's up but it seems you got a handle on it, certainly a lot more than I do."
He thinks for a bit more.
"As for when we go or what we do - you just give me the order and I'll do it."
Rain looked from Human to Kitsune thoughtfully without word and then moved toward the rail, Neko at her heels. What she had said was sensible as the apothecary dealt in contraband and other manner of unusual goods and poisons and scouting the shop at dusk would mean they would see the other dealings going on. She was not against going now, yet her two companions seemed determine to misunderstand her meaning. She bit down her ire and refrained from giving into it.
"Now it is then," she replied simply and steadily.
Turning to the Master Gunner, she explained the plan Variel had spoken of earlier,
"There was talk that Dhaavan entering the apothecary and making a minor purchase or two while observing how many people Zarkia Galembar has in her employ. After any pertinent observations can be made, we regroup on the ship to hear what Dhaavan has to say and then as a group we can decide to either approach Zarkia directly about the poisons or other special contraband and figure out why she hired the assassin or wait until the shop is closed for the night and enter and look around."
"Now it is then," she replied simply and steadily.
Horatio says nothing but returns Rain's stare, his expression inscrutable.
Turning to the Master Gunner, she explained the plan Variel had spoken of earlier.
"There was talk that Dhaavan entering the apothecary and making a minor purchase or two while observing how many people Zarkia Galembar has in her employ. After any pertinent observations can be made, we regroup on the ship to hear what Dhaavan has to say and then as a group we can decide to either approach Zarkia directly about the poisons or other special contraband and figure out why she hired the assassin or wait until the shop is closed for the night and enter and look around."
He continues to look at Rain for a moment.
"Thank you for the explanation," he says.
He turns to Amen-set.
"You heard the plan; you will go with the First Officer because a second pair of eyes are better than one. You will help him succeed in the mission."
She bows to him in respect and Horatio turns and moves forward and lights a smoke then take a long drag from it.
Rain looked as Flynn and Amen decided the next course of action without discussing it with the rest of them. "Wait. It's been spoken but I shall repeat it, Jiro and I will be stationed outside the shop, in the shadows of the alley, and provide assistance to Dhaavan if he requires it."
"Wait. It's been spoken but I shall repeat it, Jiro and I will be stationed outside the shop, in the shadows of the alley, and provide assistance to Dhaavan if he requires it."
Horatio turns from his position by the gunwale and listens to Rain's words.
"Begging your pardon, Pilot-Major but I think there is some confusion here."
"You orders were to have the First Officer inside the shop and make observations while he attempts to to get information from Zarkia Galembar."
"While I knew you would be outside as backup it had occurred to me that if the First Officer was to study the inside of the shop and attempt to use his skill to glean information from Zarkia Galembar that having another person skilled with perception and diplomacy who may offer assistance to the First Officer may be useful."
"Those were my orders to her; to help the First Officer when he eventually left the ship, which I understood was to happen later. I was not telling her to leave now, only to go with the First Officer when he does leave."
He watches her eyes for a long moment.
"If you do not want her to go with the First Officer when he is to leave, please tell me now and I will have her remain here instead."
|
|
Hoping to stave off some confusion Variel tries another tack with Horatio and amen set, Perhaps Flynn you and Amen set could comb the area and inquire as to information about the apothecary. Rain has much information that she shared with us but things might have changed since she last knew.
Dhaavan can leave with Jiro and Rain as planned to scout the area first while you garner what information you can. I can go with Adular to recruit some more hands for the ship and we all meet back here in a few hours. Make sure you are back before sundown or we will assume the worst and come looking for those missing.
He looks around at the group. Agreed?
Rain gave an inward sigh upon the man's words. As she was about to answer, Variel announced a plan for all of them. She looked to her betrothed and then back to Flynn.
"You were too quick to send Amen without agreement from all. It is not a matter of not permitting Amen to join Dhaavan. This task requires a certain kind of tact and social play. And Amen, for all her particular talents, well ... let us say her passions may be too hot and her truth-telling too open for this task and Dhaavan should undertake the errand inside the shop on his own, in my opinion" Looking to Amen-set, she simply added, "No offence levied upon you, little sister, for I am well aware of your many virtues."
To Variel's proposition, Rain replied, "I am in agreement."
Hoping to stave off some confusion Variel tries another tack with Horatio and amen set, Perhaps Flynn you and Amen set could comb the area and inquire as to information about the apothecary. Rain has much information that she shared with us but things might have changed since she last knew.
Horatio shrugs at this, but doesn’t say anything until he hears the rest of Variel’s ideas.
Dhaavan can leave with Jiro and Rain as planned to scout the area first while you garner what information you can. I can go with Adular to recruit some more hands for the ship and we all meet back here in a few hours. Make sure you are back before sundown or we will assume the worst and come looking for those missing.
Horatio seems to think for a moment, then he offers his thoughts.
”You know, if things go south at this place than that means that the First Officer, the Quarter-Master and the Pilot-Major won’t have anyone to heal them. Plus, if this lass is really an apothecary, and the same place that assassin got his poisons, then she may try to do something dodgy with poison on those three.”
”If you’re opposed to sending Amen-set with Dhaavan, that’s fine. But why not at least send the padre with them, too? After all, having at least one person that can heal and possibly use magic to stem off poison can’t hurt.”
Horatio scratches his beard a bit absently, then cocks his head and looks at Variel. Despite their arguments in the past Horatio had grown to genuinely like and respect Variel and hoped the Elf knew he was just trying to offer some thoughts and that he wasn’t trying to do something foolish like argue with Variel for the sake of arguing.
”Also, Amen-set is probably the second-best qualified candidate to do the job of recruiting, after the First Officer. For what it’s worth, maybe me, her and you could be recruiting folks together, the two of us aiding her?”
”Now I know we may not be able to find much follow-up about the this apothecary if me and her are recruiting, but with both you and me are aiding Amen-set then we may have a better chance to get some lads instead of just you and the padre.”
His eyes light up as a sudden thought occurs to him.
”Plus, if Adular goes with the others and you come with us then that means there’s only two groups of us to keep track of instead of three – you know, in case something goes south. I mean, I got no problem with going off on my own, but in the past I’ve found that can be a bit much for some folks to keep track of,” he says as he favors the heavens above with a dry smile.
As he waits for Variel to consider this, he offers one more piece of information.
”Now I know it’s not what you suggested, but after we recruit the lads for the ship I thought I could introduce you to a friend I made here last time. It may not be much, but I think talking to him could be a good thing for you, especially as you’re still looking for that Shanxia thing.”
He glances at the deck with a somewhat sheepish expression on his face, knowing that his tendency to talk at length was often off-putting, still, he thought his suggestions seemed pretty reasonable, all things considered.
Then he laughs a little at his own thoughts and looks up at Variel with a grin.
”Well, that said, what do you think of my counter-offer?” he asks with a friendly voice.
As Horatio waits for Variel’s response to his counter-suggestion, Rain answers him on his earlier question about Amen-set.
"You were too quick to send Amen without agreement from all. It is not a matter of not permitting Amen to join Dhaavan. This task requires a certain kind of tact and social play. And Amen, for all her particular talents, well ... let us say her passions may be too hot and her truth-telling too open for this task and Dhaavan should undertake the errand inside the shop on his own, in my opinion"
He cocks his head and looks at her for a moment.
”Well, maybe so. But to be fair, I wasn’t planning on sending her directly off the ship because the First Officer wasn’t leaving right away. I was just suggesting that she get herself ready to go and follow him when he did eventually leave."
"Sounds like it was just a misunderstanding, but now everything's cleared up," he says with a nod.