Main Page |
<Narrator> ::The South Docks are as bustling as ever as Jade, following up on some of the information Lin Ang spilled under duress, makes her way down a row of towering warehouses to Wei Dong Xiao's building. It's situated in a better section of the warehouse district, nestled in among a broad section of holdings all belonging to his rich uncle, Wei Cheng.:: <Narrator> ::Local rumor pegs Wei Dong Xiao as a bad seed from the time he led a little gang of street punks at the age of thirteen, and few believe his claim that he's going straight with this latest rug merchanting business. His uncle, however, remains blindly optimistic, and has gifted him with this warehouse to get him started.:: * Jade has slipped away from the South Docks for a few days and returns now with a wagon load of carpets, dressed in the attire of a dusty and road weary merchant. She pulls her wagon to a stop in front of Dong Xiao's warehouse. <Guard> ::glancing at his partner and stepping up to the cart with a scowl, waving an arm at Jade in a "move-along" motion:: Here now, woman, you can't park that here! Move along, now! * Jade barks back at the guard in a merchant's pretentious tone, "I've got goods for your employer. You 'move-along' me again and see that you aren't out on your ear for costin' him mor'n you're worth." <Guard> ::frown deepening:: There's no delivery scheduled for today, and I don't know you. You're looking to sell, try the marketplace. Young Master Wei don't buy from strange ladies with dirt all over them! * Jade smacks the guard on his head with a carpet beater, "Mind how you talk to your betters, whelp. These here are made from the finest Khymrych wool, and you'll not find better than 'em this side of the Dragonsmere. Now you tell your boss Kong Juntou is here to offer him the best price he's ever likely to see." * Guard rubs his head and gives Jade a sullen glare. With a sigh, he turns and shrugs to his partner in a "what the hell do I do NOW" gesture. The other man shrugs back and jerks a thumb towards the doors. The first guard turns back to Jade, his tone grudging. "If you'll be pleased to wait, mistress, I'll go see if he has time to speak with you." * Jade nods, "Of course." * Guard gives her a last evil glare and disappears into the building. He is gone for the space of perhaps a quarter hour before he returns in the company of a thin, wiry-looking youth with bad teeth. <Wei Dong> ::squinting up at Jade after sparing a glance at her cart. "I'm Wei Dong. Why are you abusing my employee and wasting my time, woman?" <Jade> I've got a shipment of Khymrych wool carpets here. I reckon you'll not have seen finer in these barbaric parts." <Wei Dong> ::barely giving the carpets a glance:: I don't know you. Why should I buy from you? <Jade> You're not going to do much business if you only deal with people you know. And you should buy from me because I've got quality product and I'm going to deal with you a damn sight straighter than the filthy gaijin. <Wei Dong> ::putting his hands on his hips:: Don't think you can tell me how to run my business, woman. My Uncle Cheng is the big man of business around here, I know what I'm doing. ::shaking a finger at her:: You think you're gonna offload your cart full of rags quick, you think again! I buy straight from the makers. Keeps the price down, and I see the product myself before it comes in my warehouse. * Jade pulls the tarp off her load, revealing several high quality carpets. "See for yourself then. Like I'd disgrace my ancestors by sellin' rags. Though you're a fine one hidin' behind your uncle's good name rather 'an makin' one yourself." <Wei Dong> ::glancing at his guard with a sigh, and walking around to look at the carpets.:: You wanna sell, woman, you'd best learn to stop insulting the people you want to buy from you. <Wei Dong> ::grudgingly:: Not bad. How much? <Jade> 15 each. ::pulls the tarp back more to reveal that she has four carpets:: <Wei Dong> Sha! You see? This is why I cut out the middleman. I get mine for 8, better quality than that. Go away, woman. <Jade> Eight, these aren't motheaten cast offs. I'm not takin' anythin' less than twelve. <Wei Dong> Then you have no sale, and you can haul you and your dusty carpets and all the cartage fees back home with nothing. I would give you... ::pulls at his lip:: 10, out of generosity to my elders. * Jade smiles, "Done!" * Wei Dong looks faintly surprised, but nods. "One moment, then." He heads back inside, returning with a group of four thuggish-looking young men and a coin purse. * Wei Dong hands the purse over to Jade and nods to his pet thugs, who pull back the tarp the rest of the way and begin unloading the cart. * Jade reaches for the purse but instead grabs Wei Dong's wrist, lifting him off the ground as she jumps from the cart to the back of the horse, a wave of her other arm cutting the harness from the horse. <Jade> ::As Jade lands on the horse, Wei Dong draped over the horse in front of her, she kicks the horse with her heels and hits Wei Dong across the back of the head to render him unconscious.:: <Wei Dong> HEY! Crazy lady, put me-- UNH! ::slumping over her saddlebow, as his angry thugs and guards drop the carpets they're unloading and run after her:: * Jade races the horse through the narrow streets of the South Docks, bowling people over in her haste as she attempts to make it to one of the broader roads with a direct shot for Marsember proper. Jade hunches low over Wei Dong both to avoid low hanging fixtures, but also to minimize the target she presents to any archers that may be watching her escape route. <Narrator> ::A few arrows belatedly fly overhead, but the hue-and-cry behind her dies off as she increases her distance. Instead, she receives many angry shouts and irritated words as she practically gallops people over. At one point, a man tosses up a basketful of fish in his haste to get away, and the horse shies.:: * Jade manages to slide off the horse's back and catch Wei Dong's unconscious form. <Jade> Slinging Wei Dong over one shoulder Jade slaps the horse's rear, leaving behind a shuriken that periodically pulses with ki. <Narrator> ::the horse, relieved of its annoying burden and frightened, gallops off:: * Jade races for the nearest canal, ducking through shadows and back alleys whenever they present themselves. <Narrator> ::More people dive out of the way of the horse, the few that came to offer help to the thrown rider moving back quickly to avoid flying hooves.:: <Jade> ::reaching the canal, Jade quickly ties a burlap sack over Wei Dong's head, then jumps in, swimming down stream, staying underwater as much as possible.:: <Narrator> ::choking sounds issue from the bag the first time Jade goes under to get it wet, and Wei Dong's body flops around a bit. Afterwards, as she pulls the "bag" along behind her like a bit of nasty flotsam, he stays quiet and floats easily.:: <Narrator> ::Aside from one nasty moment when a wide barge drifts by overhead, nearly clocking Wei Dong in the head (again) and threatening to drown Jade, she and her cargo make it without incident to open water. (After all, who in their right mind would *willingly* swim the canals, much less swim UNDER water?):: <Jade> ::Having reached open water Jade swims for the nearest secluded strip of swamp outside of the city walls, continuing to swim underwater with Wei Dong's bagged head floating along with her.:: <Jade> ::As she approaches land Jade pauses to extend her sense, searching for any ki signatures near her chosen landing point.:: <Narrator> ::The swamp seems to be as devoid of human life as most swamps rightfully are. Although there's this little balding grey guy with huge eyes who-- oh, wait, wrong story:: * Jade swims ashore, dragging Wei Dong in behind her. <Jade> ::Once ashore, Jade check to make certain that Wei Dong is still alive and breathing.:: * Wei Dong is, indeed, still alive, although soon might be wishing he wasn't. He appears to be starting to regain consciousness, as well-- he moves a little and coughs up a last bit of "water." <Jade> ::As Wei Dong clears his throat Jade ties his ankles together, then removes the bag from his head. She then stands over him and produces a flaying knife.:: Sorry for the inconvenience Wei Dong Xiao, but I have some questions for you. I hope I have your undivided attention now." * Jade gives her best, "I'm a ruthless killer who kicks puppies for light comedy and thinks baby seal clubbing should be a professional sport" look. * Wei Dong's eyes flutter open. He coughs up a little more water and wrinkles his nose at the stench, before realizing the stench comes from HIM. He rubs the back of his head, squinting, and realizes in quick succession that he is 1) covered with slime 2) lying on the ground and 3) being loomed over by a knife-wielding homicidal maniac who just kidnapped him in broad daylight. He tries to get up and stumbles back on his butt again, awkwardly crabbing away from her. He screams hoarsely. "S-stay away!" * Jade casually walks up and steps on Wei Dong forcing him back to the ground. Her free hand produces a serrated knife. "Wrong answer. The question was, 'Do I have your undivided attention?' Another attempt to leave here without my permission and I'll stake you in place." <Wei Dong> ::teeth chattering:: Y-yes. ::he pauses, breathing hard, the whites of his eyes showing:: M-My uncle... my uncle will pay you. Whatever you want, I promise, as long as you don't harm me! * Jade crouches down, one foot still on Wei Dong as she turns her smile on a bit more, "Did I tell you not to hide behind your uncle's good name? You've been trying to make a name for yourself haven't you? Why don't you tell me about that?" <Wei Dong> I... d-don't know what you mean... please, what do you want? * Jade runs the flaying knife lightly along Wei Dong's face, trimming a few stray hairs but not damaging the skin. "My patience is running very thin Dong Xiao. Tell me about your business. Your real business. The one you're using your uncle's warehouse as a front for." <Wei Dong> ::sucks in a breath:: I... I... ::whimpers:: Please. They would kill me. * Jade smiles, "Well isn't that too bad. They'll kill you if you do talk, I'll kill you if you don't." Grinds her foot into him for emphasis. "I on the other hand would take great delight in dissecting you, slowly and painful, with just enough medical attention to ensure that you're alive and conscious to enjoy the experience for weeks." * Wei Dong shudders and falls limp, defeated. "I... I will talk. What is it you wish to know?" |
|
|