The prosecutor's begrudging admittance that one couldn't prove incompetence seems to Androk a topic of particular distaste for the human-looking tiefling; the Haven's patron nods thoughtfully, for a moment appearing regretful but then returning to cold-blooded calculation as to who would be better off dead. He watches the others handling the figures, as if having something to touch allowed his compatriots to get a better grasp on the individuals themselves, and a slight, abstracted smile ghosts onto his face.
A nod goes to Lucien at the Lieutenant's question about execution. "If they make it that far, they do. Something of a final test of their resolve and ... qualifications." He glances from one to the other to the next, gauging thought processes, listening to the points being debated.
"I think," he finally and slowly says, "that using the Gilded Lily too much would call unwanted attention to the place. I think that Counselor Lemaître is right, and that the Lieutenant should encounter his fellow, and engage Lieutenant Bonfil in philosophical debate about the ... hm." He stares at Bonfil's figure, then looks over at the military man. Bluntly, he states, "Not to offend, Lucien, but you lean too much on Alix for certain elements of thinking. That's going to bite you in the ass one of these days, but with luck it won't be in the next week or so. You need to engage her sense of morality, but you're going to have to do it by way of her ethics. The Army, and you especially, cannot be thought of as taking a moral stand. An ethical one, though -- that's what discipline and following orders is about. So while you're going to have to invoke the final blades at some point, I'd suggest approaching it with a discussion about obeying orders, something along those lines. Whether it's necessary to follow an order you know is wrong, that sort of thing. You can," he adds drily, "undoubtedly pull from your own experience." His smile, however, does its best to rob the minor jibe of any sting.
"Garson," he reminds the merchant for what seems to be the ten thousandth time, "no wine at this table. I'd rather not have to copy my notes again." Garson hasn't spilled wine in over a year, and has long since gotten into the habit of having the glass in his 'away' hand, but Androk is somewhat of a paranoid sort.
"A couple or three of things wrong with some of the ideas, unfortunately. First, the Lieutenant isn't permitted to march into town on any day but his assigned day, and can't keep the peace anywhere but his assigned station. As much as I'd like him to be able to have a hand in it, unless we make it happen outside the city walls, Lucien is out of it.
"Point the second -- having to do with the same plan -- is that we can't be sure from one night to the next where Joubert is staying. And as a sub-point, as it were, well -- I don't know if I agree that Joubert is ... unredeemable. I mean, he sounds like a follower of Ragathiel to me; if we let him survive this, maybe find a way to infuriate him against Sœur Cendre, see her as being a criminal, then we might be able to find out more about him. We might just need to cull his gang, we might need to put him down as a mad dog, but ... I don't know if we have enough information to make a solid decision either way.
"The third," Jeggare admits regretfully, "is the problem of foreknowledge. While Dolorès must work on being more open, more tied into the people around her perhaps," and here his attention turns to the mystic, "you're going to simply go about your daily business, without displaying any sort of awareness that someone's got their eye on you for --" he waves his hand "-- all of this. And while I don't think you sabotaging someone would be bad for you, exactly ... it would be out of character for you. So just ... go about your business, as it were. And when they pull you in, act natural. Well, natural with a bit more liveliness, I suppose." He smiles wryly.
"So. My suggestions are for Lucien to work -- as subtly as he can -- on Lieutenant Bonfils; Lucien, while I don't want you to keep leaning so heavily on her, I suppose you might consider bringing Alix with you to help stimulate the conversation. Lily, if you want to prime Cadet to highlight Bonfils' opinions on innocence, that'll definitely help there. I think removing Lambert is definitely no loss to the city, but I'm not so certain that either Soucy or Joubert are truly harmful -- or couldn't be put to better use. We have Dolorès essentially considered ..." He stares at the rest of them, then says slowly, "I ... really think we need more information on who to select and who to remove, all while making sure that the Gray Gardeners know nothing about the fact that we're making the selection for them this time. Going by the wording of the missive, though, the fifth is the day they'll actually make the choices -- or announce them to each other, perhaps. We have until then to get more information, make a plan for each of them, and put those plans into action."
Looking around, he says, "Except for you, Dolorès, why don't we each select one candidate and one Gardener -- perhaps those we each individually already know about, and we'll pick up the slack on the others -- and try to find out more about them? Let's make, say, the thirty-first as a deadline, and all meet again here?"
Lilli sat quietly as Androk spoke, weighing his words carefully. He might not always have the final say, but as the founder and de facto 'leader' of the group his opinion was always important.
"This makes sense. If we have the time to gather more information that will be preferable to moving based on what limited knowledge we currently have. I will definitely start gathering information on Joubert" She smiles sweetly as the she starts to make plans in her mind. "I have several teams available that are free to roam the city to find him and watch his movements and activities. It might even be possible to infiltrate his gang and get some inside information." She pulls out her journal and makes a few notes in a strange cipher. "In terms of Gardeners, I probably have the best chance of getting to know Cadet, using my establishment. I agree with our host that using it too often during engagements might draw attention to it, but finding a way to convince a known lecher to add it to his list of favored haunts should be innocent enough, and my girls and myself are quite adept at getting to know our clients' minds."
She snaps her book closed and looks around the table again. "At least those are the two I propose to investigate. There are also potential ties to others if someone prefers working with those two themselves. I welcome your opinions on the matter."
Lucien nods, apparently completely at ease with Jeggare's well meaning advice. "I will take Bonfils, but anyone else will be difficult. I might find some of Pascal's past - she was once a soldier too." With that decided he stands. "I cannot stay much longer - if I miss curfew questions will be asked. The thirty-first should work, but I probably will not be in contact until then."
He rejoins the group and his tail, low to the ground, brushes Jeggare's leg for a moment.
"That can work, that can work. I will feel the pulse of the legal system about Lambert's current jobs, the causes he's taken and such." He doesn't bother making notes, his memory being trained by the legal studies. "And I will look for more information about the elusive Monsieur Belmont, who may be a candidate for either of the roles. And perhaps I can keep an eye out for Cendre, see if we can make Soucy unsuitable without having to act against him directly."
"Look further into Sœur Argent as well, if you can," suggests Androk to Lily. "Lucien, I would predict that Sœur Cadet is in a position to have some sort of repeat contact with Bonfils. You might have you and yours keep your ears open and see if anyone besides us is asking after her; that may lead you to Cadet's ... non-Gardener identity." Nodding at Jerome, he adds, "I think you mean Sœur Glauque, Soucy's judge in this, not Sœur Cendre who is Joubert's. But in the same line as Lucien, see if your people can suss out who might be nosing about Lambert; that may be Frère Nickel.
"Garson, Thibaut Belmont sounds like he might be a businessman; see if you can't approach him, find out more about him. Sœur Cendre also sounds like she might be a sober individual; see if you can't find out a bit more on that front." He strokes his thumb next to his nose, then grimaces. "I'll see if I can't find out anything more about Sœur Cendre and Frère Ardoise, not to mention some kind of information about Frères Nickel and Charbon; I'll see if my people have information on Joubert, Soucy, and Belmont as well. And if push comes to shove, I'll go have a talk with the archer Pascal."
He looks around at his five co-conspirators, then goes to fetch the wine decanter. "A toast," he proposes, going about and pouring at least a mouthful into everyone's glass, his own being last. Decanter down and glass up, he lifts it. "To the end of the revolution," he proposes and, presuming he is echoed, swallows down the mouthful-and-some.
"Lucien," he adds, "let me walk you up; I had a question about a rumor I heard regarding your commanding officer."
Dolorès lifts her glass with an unsteady hand and stares absently into the liquid that swirls within. "To the end," she murmurs, speaking both to the faces that surround the table, and to the spirits that call to her from the blade that sits above the catacombs.
Feeling as though she should say something more, the oracle takes a long, serious look at each of her comrades, before offering some parting words in her slow, dreamy way. "I promise, Sœur Argent will find an ideal candidate in me. She will not be the first, nor the last, to be stirred by my words. Iomedae has taught me to move hearts and minds, prepared me all my life to walk the path Pharasma has laid before us. I will follow to its conclusion... Thank you all for choosing to walk beside me."
Lilli also lifts her glass and quietly joins the others. "To the end..."
As Dolorès makes her pledge, she smiles maternally at the young woman and then immediately starts preparing to leave. "I shall return with a better idea of Joubert's activities and will do what I can to identify his recruiter as well as investigate Argent and Cadet. If I am needed, simply drop a note with one of my ladies at the tea house."
After packing up what few things she was utilizing and ensuring that she has left no evidence of her presence behind, she slips away and disappears into the catacombs.
"Ah, yes, Glauque. My, does eyesight get worse with age." Jerome corrects himself, craning his neck to see the cards at a better angle.
"And to new beginnings." he answers the toast, lifting his glass. "I will keep the legal system under careful observation. You all know where my office is, you'll find me there if you need anything from me. A bientôt, mes amis, let us meet again under good omens."
"The end." Lucien echoes, lifting his glass and taking a brief sip. With the pleasantries out of the way he replaces his glass and moves towards the exit, waiting for Jeggare to join him.
"New beginnings," Jeggare echoes. "With hard work and a bit of luck. As always, should you find new information that is time-critical, do not hesitate to send a message to Gideon D at the store-front attached to the orphanage; as always, he will be able to get a message to me through Mordecai. Good luck to each of you, and gods bless." He nods, then accompanies Lucien out of the planning room.