"Take a seat." Faerveren offers.
One the elves are seated she asks "Did you find out something new during your visit to some shopkeepers this morning?"
"I did. I found out where the money goes. At least the building."
Menan responds to Arawyn's motion and joins them at the table.
"Yes, I did make some progress. Good for you. Do have any ideas on how to address this issue yet? I am working on some myself. Just ideas at this point."
"You do magic, right? How about you make me invisible, so I could stand in the corner of their office for an hour and check what's going on there?"
"More like three minutes. There may be other ways to accommplish that. Give me a moment...."
Faerveren watches with interest, what Menan uses that moment for. "I have no plans for the night. Take your time. Main flaw with all those plans so far was that to few people did the actual work. And if that goes south, that one person is screwed. So a plan to get us all in would be better."
"The are bullies and bullies are cowards. Notice how quickly they doubled their numbers? You speak the truth. We are no going to get much if any help. If we could put the fear into them it may be enough. Like really messing one of them up from a distance every time. There are so many options."
If you knew why they doubled their numbers... "To induce fear you'd need to make an example of them. Which only works if you have witnesses, or leave evidence. I'd prefer to not bring the guard into this."
"Wouldn't it make more sense to fry the big fish? However we would do that."
"That was my original angle. That will take some time but is not out of the ordinary. I need to run into and meet this elder Marinelli. Where do the rich folk hang out? That could be my starting point. I could kill them all myself without ever being seen by anyone. I do not need that kind of attention."
"I meant that figuratively. As in scare the s%!~ out of the boss, whoever that is, and not the street thugs. If you roast Marinelli, it might solve the issue at hand. But it would for sure bring the wrath of the whole city on us."
"Even if no one likes this guy, they'd all fear for their life and wouldn't rest until they found the culprit."
"Also I'd like to know who bags the coin first. Would be good to know with how many people we're dealing."
"Yes, Faerveren. I agree completely."
After unloading a ship with rather disappointing payment, Persephone leaves the docks. At least it didn't take as long as the last job.
Not feeling like cooking she drags ehrself into The Pig's Whistle again. "Hi. You're waiting for me to order food, or is the kitchen not operated once again?" she inquires of the group sitting around the table with only drinks.
"It is doubtful Isabella found someone with what she pays. But, I have no idea if it is manned. How was your day?"
"One of the friends I made at the market this day is a woman of wealth. Every evening she frequents the restaurant that the other wealthy frequent. I indicated that I was of wealth and would join her there in a matter of days. Arawyn and I need to purchase some nice but not gaudy clothing. I shall use this opportunity to learn of the elder Marinelli and anyone else who may factor into this endeavor. Three of us are infiltrating from three different directions. I like this. Arawyn has her place but she is not an infiltrator at this point. I have plans for her and her blades."
"Hopefully you got more luck with that than I do. I get a lot of work at mediocre pay and haven't seen anyone in charge of anything helpful for our case."
"Keep at it Persephone. It looks like it will take all of us some time to gather our information. This could get interesting. Oh, I really do like Father Grimburrow. I believe I will attend his next service."
"Well, revolutions do begin in taverns. I never believed that."
With some half-baked plans all leave into the night. It is a night like most in Abadon. It is dark, silent and almost no one outside. And as always the bell starts the new day. For those that have an office job. All others are up earlier when the rooster crows.
Menan and Arawyn head to the market. They will seek out a tailor for clothing appropriate to the wealthier places in town.
On the market are actually no clothes sold. But there is a taylor located in one of the houses the surrounding the market place. It has a wide selection of clothes, but only for peasants and artisans. Even the sunday clothes they sell won't do for making the impression of being rich.
Menan is pointed to the boulevard in old town. There also is a taylor, that works for the nobles in town. As you approach, you wonder though. Only a brass plate, large and finely made, hint at the exquisite shop. No large display window, and even inside the shop there is no glamour. Just a reception and a busy workshop behind with about a dozen people working.
As Menan approaches the desk, the man behind who was sorting through letters directs his attention to the elf. Not recognizing him he inquires "How can I help you?"
"Good day sir. I am Menan and this is Arawyn. We are travelers originally from Kyonin. We seek high quality clothing made with fine craftsmanship. Nothing gaudy my any means. Just well made fine garments. Would that be appropriate for the finer restaurants in town?"
The man looks confused at the two visitors. "Whom are the garments for?" he inquires and on confirmation that it is indeed for the two elves the confused look disappears and the attitude changes to professional politeness.
"Dear Madam, dear Sir, please excuse my slow-wittedness." he asks with a slight bow.
"We can of course make an appointment. You name the occasion you need appropriate clothing for, like a social meeting at a restaurant, maybe some preferences in style you have. Then you tell us where you're lodging, and when we shall visit you there, and our master tailor will come with his assistants to take your measurements, as well as a collection of fabrics or pre-made pieces for you to select from."
"A social meeting at a restaurant indeed. What are our options and your recommendation?"
"Our options are almost limitless, as our skilled workers can create everything that can be imagined. Are you imagining a serious, business like appearance, or more some of romantic interest?"
He shows some rolls of fabric as examples for both. Some plain in decent colors, but very good quality, and great to the touch. Others more peacock like. Probably misplaced when worn while walking through town, from what you have seen of town so far. He also suggests matching undergarments made from silk.
"Plain but very good quality. More business or business casual. Not romantic."
As neither Menan, nor Arawyn can be bothered to give an address but simply press on to have it done immediately the man suggests "Our master tailor is out of the house for an appointment. I can offer you an appointment already tomorrow morning, ..." Not getting the desired reaction he adds "Or I can ask one of our seamstresses right now to take your measurements. But we have no way to provide the privacy most prefer for this stage of the work."
"Thank you sir, we will be here in the morning. Do you have an estimate of the cost?"
"That would be 30 gold per dress." The man explains. "Half of it when ordered and half on delivery."
"A fine price, sir. We can be located at the Fat Goose in the morning."
"Thank you very much. Sir Menan and Lady Arawyn," he notes down the names in the schedule. "Our master taylor will be with you about an hour after the bell tolls in the morning."
Persephone drags herself to the dogs again. "I'm on time. You got a better job than dragging crates? Don't you have some office jobs too?" she greets Finn.
"There are not many who ask for office jobs. But those are not mine to hand out. I can ask later. Until then your pretty arse is mine to haul boxes as I see fit." Finn replies with a grin.
"This time from the third row in the warehouse everything needs to be put on that ship. You know the drill."
Menan and Arawyn rent a room at the Fat Goose again for the usual rate. Persephone hauls boxes all day. In the evening all meet again at The Pig's Whistle to talk what progress the day brought over an ale and some stew. Which isn't much. So they call it a day to be fresh for the day to come.
The day starts again with the toll of the bell.
An hour later there is a knock on the door of Menan and Arawyn in the Fat Goose. A man in fine cloth, accompanied by two assistants, carrying four suitcases stand in front of the door.
"Dear Lady Arawyn, dear Sir Menan, I'm here for our appointment."
Once let in, they unpack the suitcases, producing a small pedestal, different fabrics, preselected already for business look and the tools of the trade, as well as some half-made pieces of clothing to start with.
While the assistants unpack, the man introduces himself as the master tailor of the 'Fine Garments' and praises the decision Menan and Arawyn made by visiting this best shop for clothes in town.
"I brought some choices to start with, and we can work them into perfectly fitting finished peices or art, or use them to only get precise measurements to produce something from from your preferred choice of fabric. Who would like to go first."
During the process it becomes more and more clear, that the main skill of this master tailor is making the customer feel good, while the assistants do all the work.
"Ladies first."
As Arawyn gets placed on the pedestal the master tailor turns away to leave the female assistant to do the measurements as this requires some exposure of skin that the lady might be uncomfortable with in the presence of a man.
"If you'd like to share who else will be part of the meeting you're dressing up for, it might help when selecting the details. You see, almost all nobles in Abadon obtain their apparel from 'Fine Garments' and if I knew whom you meet, I'd have an idea, what they will wear."
"We will be meeting most of them for the first time. I met a wonderful lady that frequents the restaurant and she asked us to join her. I do look forward to meeting with those whose luck by birth or hard work has been good to them. So, those that may frequent the restaurant will be the first to see your work."
"That is remarkably vague, but I think that is where Lady Eleanor meets with others for tea once a week." The tailor ponders that for a moment and then starts making suggestions about colors to choose and styles that would look good for the occasion.
After all necessary choices are made he comments "You mentioned, you're originally from Kyonin? I am totally unaware of the customs there, but just in case it is unknown to you - If you desire to meet and be met as equals by the like of Lady Eleanor and choose the prestigious garbs that are common around this area, you need to know that they all wear precious jewellery to social events to ... present their status."
"Just so you are aware and can prepare, to not be mistaken as a peasant in an expensive dress."
"Yes, Lady Eleanor. That is correct. Regarding customs of the elite, I have found no exception to that in any of the places that we have visited. I find it shallow and repulsive. If I had all of the money in the world none of it would go to jewelry or gems. Thank you for that input."
"As you wish. We can have your clothes finished be tomorrow afternoon." Fioravanti informs.
Menan hands William a gold piece. "Thank you. Will you be delivering them?"
"Of course." Fioravanti replies "Except you wish otherwise."
As Persephone appears for work at the dock again Finn has 'good' news. "You get to do inventory again if you want to avoid hauling boxes. The boss found once too often that something still in the books refuses to be found. And now he demands to know what is there and what is missing."
He leads her to the three story building with the yard and the storage facility behind. Once there he introduces her to a clerk. "Hey Gorm. Here is Percy. She can do the inventory for ya."
Gorm looks down on Percy from his elevated position at the two stairs at the entrance of the office - literally and figuratively. "Here is the list. Everything has a number of the crate or the item itself. And there is the place named where it is found. You get a pencil, and mark for each item with a checkmark if it is found, a checkmark if the place is correct. For some items it lists the content with a number of items inside. In this case count them. Checkmark if correct. Everything not correct a correction is to be done by striking through the wrong information with a straight horizontal line and marking the correct information above. No unintelligible handwriting, but clearly readable information. Don't waste my time, my pencil, or my paper if you want to be payed. Am I clear?"
Persephone follows Finn. Not really happy about another day of inventory, but it's better than dragging stuff around. At least it provides some insight into the business Marinelli is in.
She is not sure about that, once she meets this Gorm. "Yes Sir!" she replies in hopes of satisfying this very strict person.
Gorm hands the list and the pencil to Finn. "Show her."
Then he retreats back into the office where he can watch over the yard from his desk.
Finn leads Persephone into the storage room. It is much smaller than the other warehouse, but contains a different kind of goods. Smaller crates, things in shelves, but also a few big crates as in th elarge warehouse.
"System is the same. Rows are labeled here, the numbers are written there, and for most things it should be obvious what they are. Closed crates simply go by the number sometimes. Don't leave. I'll come look after you later and check you didn't pocket something. Gorm is serious about that."
Persephone sighs. She should have brought lunch. But now it's too late, so she starts her work. Box, number, place, check, check, box, number, place, check, check,...
The content of the warehouse is indeed interesting. First, once the door is closed and the breeze from the sea is kept out it starts smelling very interesting. The goods here as far as they are visible are from the luxury segment. There are dozens of cases of the special wine, that is delivered every Wealday. There are also a few cases with liquor of different kinds. Some barrels with dried leaves, that spread that nice smell. Small sacks with pits from a fruit.