The man at the door puts his hand on Arc's shoulder, "Look, I'd really like to help you, but the Mayor is getting ready to retire for the evening, and really can't be disturbed now."
"Time is of the essence, man," Arc says seriously. ]b]"This is information the mayor needs to know."[/b]
"It may help assuage the peace between the various... organizations present here in town."
It appears that the friendly Majordomo really does want to help, but it also appears that your insistence is actually putting him off.
"Alright buddy," Arc resigns with a sigh. "When is the soonest we can see him?"
Not braking his recent trend, Grunyer complains as they are finding somewhere to rest until the time the office opens. "More bureaucracy. More waiting. Let the damned vampire take the town. It'll be more efficient." He looks around for an inn with private rooms, or at least a secured bunk room for the party. With all the diseases he's acquired over their delve into the ruins, he'd hate to infect innocents on accident.
"Alright buddy," Arc resigns with a sigh. "When is the soonest we can see him?"
"Speak to Vivian at the Mayor's office in town. Let her know that Baisel" he points to himself "said to give you an appointment early in the day before the Mayor starts drinking."
Arc looks to the others for confirmation that they find this acceptable.
Khajuna long ago after eating her food crawls off into a corner and goes to sleep.
After glowering for a moment, Grunyer finally speaks, "Fine, at least we have line jumping privileges this time. And if anyone complains..." he grins at the thought of physicality, "let them find out what happens." He does note that the mayor likes drinking. "Perhaps a bottle of wine would help lubricate discussions."
"To the Mayor's office!" Arc says as he thrusts a finger into the air.
Whoa, slow down mate, Pneuferro says still puffing from her morning yoga. "How about some crunchies, then we go see the mayor?
"No time Pneuferro. We need to set up the meeting asap."
Grunyer looks a little disappointed as well also wants to get these errands over with so they can go back to doing meaningful work. "The way these things have been going, better to get there early before more foolishness gets in the way."
"Right then, mates follow me." Pneuferro heads to the mayor's appointment place.
You go to the Mayor's office, but, being nighttime, it is closed.
Early in the morning you head there again. After waiting a bit, Vivian shows up. She'll let you in, to wait while she sets up.
Finally, around 9 am she asks, "Well, what can I do for you?"
It being early still, Grunyer hasn't yet had time to become grumpy. "Hello Ma'am, we're here to get an appointment with the mayor. We're told this is the place to do so. If at all possible, we'd like it to be sooner rather than later."
Arc adds, "Baisel said quote, 'to give us an appointment early in the day before the Mayor starts drinking', end quote"
Pneuferro makes no comment on Baisel's comment but is thinking I hope it is not too late already.
With a twinkle in her eye, she says, "Well, Baisel must have a good reason. The Mayor should arrive in a little while. If you don't mind, after he looks at his mail, I'll set you up. You can wait there," she points at an adjoining room.
An hour or so later, the Mayor opens his office door. (You realize he must have an alternate entrance that avoids public scrutiny.) "Vivian. What's on the agenda today," he says.
"There are some people here to see you. I've secured your table at the Grounded Dragon for lunch with Selonza N'Gama, the new singer at the caberet. And, merchants from the gaffer's guild want you this afternoon."
The mayor looks in your direction, turns, and with a trailing hand motions you to follow him.
He sits at the desk, and starts looking at some papers.
Khajuna rolls her eyes, shrugs and follows the others in.
Arc clears his throat and speaks seriously, "Mayor, you have a debt to pay. We have been sent to retrieve the payment. It was suggested that we take other tactics, but I figured it would be more respectful to start here."
"I'm sure this is not an easy message to hear, but please... lets be reasonable."
Though it would be nice if we secured the staff from that vampire eh mates?
"Debt? What debt?" the Mayor says.
While the Mayor really appears to not know what you are talking about, Khajuna notices beads of sweat on his brow. Khajuna realizes that the Mayor is nervous.
"Barthel," Arc says flatly.
Diplomacy mate, the goblin says, It's good for countries, theatres and simple favors.
Arc sighs. "Mayor, Barthel sent us to retrieve your debt to him. "
"Well, I don't see why he has to send ruffians to collect what is due him." He waves his hand in dismissal. "Let him know that I don't have the full amount today, but, I should have it in... hmmmm... three days time."
"How much are you missing? Barthel might be more lenient the more you have."
"Well, If you think so, I have five thousand gold available."
"We'll take that and speak to Barthel on your behalf."
The mayor leaves for a back room, and brings out a sealed box and hands it to you.
Grunyer takes the box for safe keeping before looking to the others and nodding. "Thanks fer being reasonable Mr Mayor. Sorry for any inconvenience."
Arc nods in agreement and prepares to leave.
Before we go, let's make an appointment for... let's say dinner time. We don't have to keep the appointment, but we can't waist days getting back to meet him.
Pneuferro is willing to stay here just to keep this appointment 'open'. She is unwilling to take 'no appointment' as an option.
Arc nods to Pneuferro in agreement.
Khajuna discreetly picks her nose and stretches with a moan.
"Oh. Dinner time. Perhaps meet me at Alexis' Stagefront Restaurant for dinner."
Appointment set, Pneuferro follows the party to Barthel, where they present the mayor's case (and payment), and finalize the agreement.
"We are here to speak to Barthel," Arc says commandingly as they approach the lines they waited in yesterday. "We are expected."
You are ushered in to the Propmaster's office.
You give the payment to him.
As you explain what the mayor said, Barthel becomes angrier and angrier.
"Yes," he shouts, "That's the principal. But, where's the vig? It's the 27th of Serenith. He owes 2500 gold in vig. Go get it. Now!"
Arc level his gaze at Barthel as Barthel shouts. "We. Are. Not. Thugs," he says cooly. "We are also not your cronies. We gave you multiple thousand gold owed to you. If I were just some thug, your behavior suggests to me that I'm better off simply taking the five thousand gold off of your cold, dead corpse. But," he adds with less irritation, "I'm not a thug. So, why don't you send your cronies to do that after you sign our triplicate contract?"
"You come to me, asking for favors. I give you a simple task. To convince someone of what they owe. You accept the task. Then renege because you can't do it. Then you threaten me. Get out of here. You obviously can't be trusted."
At this point, two of the men at the back of the room move to the door. One opens it. The other, with a hand on the knife on his belt, raises the buckler on his other arm.
All of you feel an urge to go.
Shoulders hunched the goblin follows the others out.
That Bartho seemed much friendlier the first time mates. Did anyone notice anything strange about him? You don't think he might be a vampire himself? Maybe he is afraid of the competition?
Arc is grumbling under his breath. "Five thousand gold...should just take it for ourselves...jackass..."
Shoulders hunched the goblin follows the others out.