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* Dawn is looking over the enormous warehouse he's purchased, taking measurements and making notes on a scrap of paper. His forearm is bandaged, and his face is bruised and still faintly scratched, but he seems otherwise fine. * Sylvie has a small bundle of papers tucked under her arm. She looks a little tired from travel, but her own bruises are finally fading. She is, however, smiling. "Ah, there you are, boss. Do you have any idea how many warehouses on this block fit Bie's description?" <Dawn> ::turns quickly, then smiles:: Sylvie! ::he greets her with a warm hug:: I'm glad to see you. Yes, I know. That's one of the reasons I like it so much. * Sylvie kisses his cheek. "Angel and Jewel are 'busy.' Or -" she smirks "- at least they're not taking visitors. But I figured you'd probably be better to talk to anyway." She looks around. "You're planning to live here?" <Dawn> ::laughs:: Not surprised. Aye... Shop front there, house behind. I promised Bienca I'd put in ceilings tall enough for her to stretch. <Sylvie> ::smiles:: Well, you're a sweetheart, aren't you? ::she rattles her sheaf of papers at him:: So. Boss. I have news. Good news. Bad news. Better news. You pick. <Dawn> Don't let that get around. ::he frowns, leaning against a wall and folding his arms:: Let's get the bad out of the way first. <Sylvie> ::thumbs through her papers:: Here you are. Being that I'm such a nice person and I was working on it anyway. That's the bill. The complete bill is what I mean to say. Between people we lost - both turning to Tower's side, and the ones he killed - and the ones who won't go back to their old jobs. And the damages to the various shops and establishments. <Sylvie> ::continuing:: And a very healthy bribe to the Lizards who got tipped off that there was a murder at my place day before yesterday. <Dawn> ::looks surprised, then takes the sheet and runs his eyes down the numbers, wincing:: Fuck... Well, at least you've saved me doing the work. Shit, we lost *Berry*? ::he sighs:: The good news had better be really damn good. <Sylvie> ::nods:: The good news is that I have three new employees - including one 'Rosin' who will be starting as soon as we finish the clean up as a house musician. Jolly's working out well - I think he should get a bonus for giving you the head's up. Snowman is... recovering. ::she gives Dawn a shrug:: And it seems that all the people we *didn't* lose are the higher paying members *anyway.* <Dawn> ::smiles faintly:: Violet will be glad to hear Rosin is safe. And aye, I'd planned on a bonus for Jolly. We'll renegotiate his tithe, too. Tower did do a job of cleaning out the offal for us, didn't he? ::cocks his head at her:: Should I ask what flavor of "recovering" Snowman's doing? <Sylvie> ::grins:: Oh, the usual. Swearing. Drinking too much. Irritating just about anyone I ask to nurse him for a while, so we've had a good rotation of females in and out of his room. ::her expression softens:: Telling me how much I was missed. Which is gratifying. <Dawn> ::smiles again and kisses her cheek:: He's not the only one who missed you. So... the final bit of news, then? <Sylvie> ::holds out a second sheet of numbers triumphantly:: Despite being badly wounded at Tower's base of operations, Angel is nothing if not extremely practical. He had me toss as much of Tower's house as possible. And I've finally gotten those items appraised and sold. ::she deposits the paper in Dawn's hand:: So... ::she looks smug:: * Dawn takes the sheet. His eyebrows raise slowly as he scans the column of numbers, and his eyes widen at the total. He looks at the sheet in his other hand, the tally of losses, and then back at the gains. After several more disbelieving comparisons, he laughs. "You're an amazing woman, Sylvie." <Sylvie> ::grins:: Well, I did have to haul the lot back to Marsember with me. I figured the least I could do was count it. ::her eyes narrow:: Tower was a rich man. I daresay there was a lot more of his investments that went up in smoke. Too bad. <Dawn> That's all right. Like as not, I wouldn't touch half his "investments" with the tip of a poisoned sword. I'm just as glad I don't know where *this* all came from. <Sylvie> ::practically:: It still spends, love. It all spends... <Dawn> That it does... ::he looks over the loss list again:: You know, I was under the impression that several of these businesses were not generally known to be Guild fronts. How did you get all this information? <Sylvie> ::eyes Dawn carefully:: Would you accept 'I have my sources'? <Dawn> ::grumpily:: Everyone has better sources than me... ::he sighs mournfully, and crosses his arms over his chest:: It's been brought to my attention recently that I don't have a designated successor. I hadn't thought about it much, really, since I'm actually the designated successor, myself, in reality. But... they're right. If I'm going to pose as the head, then I need to have someone pose as my right hand. <Dawn> Obvious choice for the pose, of course, is Angel. Re-arrange the rumor mill a bit, to be sure, but that wouldn't hurt, either. Let it be known that his actions during the war proved his loyalty and ability to me, something like that. You feel free to spread that among your girls, and have them mention it to the appropriate customers. <Sylvie> ::laughs and puts one hand on Dawn's arm:: Well, that's redundant, but all right. <Sylvie> ::as if a thought has occurred to her:: Oh, and you might want to have a very public break-up with Jewel sometime soon. That rumor's getting around. <Dawn> ::nods:: I know it's redundant. And aye, I thought I'd... "cede" Jewel to him, for the sake of quashing those rumors. But if I fall - Angel's likely to be right beside me. So that doesn't solve the problem of who's *really* acting as my second. And we're so fucking shorthanded... Plenty of very talented folks, but damned slim on leadership, aye? <Sylvie> ::nods:: Well, don't peg Geremi for the job. I love him, but he's no leader. Even Il Roche knew that. <Dawn> ::laughs:: No, he's not the one I had in mind. I'd rather have a good manager. Someone with resources. And sources. <Sylvie> ::raises an eyebrow:: Me? ::she narrows her eyes:: Are you insane? <Dawn> Probably. Tell me why it's a bad idea. * Sylvie cups her breasts, making her cleavage very, very obvious. "Because I'm a *woman*. Who's going to listen to me?" <Dawn> ::snorts:: For one thing. If you can manage Snowman, you can manage any man in the Guild. For another. Tower's stunt cost us a *lot* of men - and gained us several women. Marsember guild's probably got a higher female to male ratio than any other guild on the continent. <Sylvie> ::tilts her head to one side:: Well, there is that. Two things, though. To quote that idiot Jacko 'I'm a lover, not a fighter.' Dawn, I can't protect myself. Not the way you can, or Angel, or Snowman. You saw that. One at a time, I can probably bash heads as well as any whore, but... ::she shrugs:: It's a vulnerability. Secondly... I'm older than you are, in case you hadn't noticed. Forty's already behind me. <Dawn> ::nods:: To answer the second concern first - I need a successor, not an *heir*. How much older than you is Snowman? You've got a good fifteen years left in you before you're really too old for the job - and I hope a few of the kids will show promise before another ten years is gone. Consider this a... stopgap measure. Something to keep things running smoothly until the true successor can be trained. <Sylvie> ::snorts:: Only the gods know how old Snowman is. I'd guess he's on his way to sixty? <Dawn> As for protection... We've got a fair number of excellent enforcers who would be glad to take a bodyguard's pay. Starting with your husband, if you want it that way. If you don't... There's other work I could hire him for, too, to lure him out of retirement. <Sylvie> ::shakes her head, looking at him:: I think you are crazy. All right then. What's in it for me? <Dawn> ::grins:: Fifteen percent of my take. And we'll reduce the brothel's tithe by four percent. <Sylvie> ::blinks:: That's a lot of money. ::considers, pacing around:: And what, exactly, am I going to be doing, aside from wearing a bright red sign saying 'Target'? * Dawn holds up the sheets. "This sort of thing, for starters. Which you're already doing. Collecting information for us. Which you're already doing, on a lesser scale. You may be the primary contact for a few of the businesses. Other duties, as appropriate." He grins. "It's a bit of an 'as-needed' sort of job." <Sylvie> ::eyes him shrewdly:: You're going to make me regret saying 'yes,' aren't you? <Dawn> It's part of the tradition, I think, aye. ::he winks, then sobers:: You don't have to say yes now. Talk it over with Snowman, if you like. I don't know how he'd feel about having to move back to the city. But seriously, Sylvie - I can't think of anyone better qualified, right now. You run that whorehouse with your eyes closed, practically. Wouldn't you like a little bit of a challenge? <Sylvie> ::sarcastically:: Oh, yes. I still think this is the craziest, most crack-brained scheme I ever heard. But unless Geremi has a serious objection, I'll help you. And Angel. ::she grins:: You know, if the lot of you didn't try so hard to pretend to be bad-asses, you could be certified 'nice guys.' <Dawn> ::scowls menacingly:: For fucksake, Sylvie, don't let that get out... * Sylvie laughs. "Of course not, lovie. No one would believe it anyway." ------------------- * Loria is in the library, awkwardly attempting to balance baby and book. Valeria is mostly finished nursing and seems much more interested in attempting to turn the pages of the book. Loria experiments with holding the books at different heights and distances to keep it out of baby range. * Dawn looks very nearly presentable - a fresh shave has reduced his stubble to its minimum, his hair, still too short to tie back, has been re-trimmed, and his clothes are those of a respectable, if not especially well-to-do, tradesman. He knocks on the Talarins' door. * Ree opens the door, giving the usual speech. She blinks at Dawn in faint confusion until she finally recognizes him; then, she seems vaguely startled. <Dawn> ::performs his sad little bow:: Ma'am. Lady Talarin sent for me. Please tell her I've come. ::he offers Ree the note Loria sent:: <Ree> ::takes the note and shows Dawn in, then goes in search of Loria:: Lady? <Loria> ::raising her voice:: I'm in the library, Ree. <Loria> ::reluctantly, Loria puts a tab of leather into her book and closes it:: Well, Val, you win again. Mommy's not getting any reading done while Hesh and Da-di are out at the park. * Ree follows Loria's voice into the library. "Lady, that fellow is here to see you. He says you sent for him." She offers Dawn's note to Loria. <Loria> ::takes the note:: I did indeed. Thank you, Ree. Show him in. ::she eyes Valeria, then gently removes the baby from her breast and buttons her gown:: <Ree> Would you want me to take her down to the kitchen with me for a bit, now she's had her lunch? <Valeria> ::gives a very loud burp:: <Loria> My goodness... ::bounces the baby a few times, smiling:: If you don't mind. It might be easier to talk if she's not yanking my hair out by the handful. <Ree> Yes, ma'am. ::she shows Dawn in, taking the baby with her when she leaves:: * Dawn bows to Loria. "Lady Talarin." * Loria stands up and drops a graceful curtsey. "Thank you for seeing me. You're looking much better. I hope our patient is recovered as well?" <Dawn> Much better, thank you. I'm sure he'd have sent his greetings, if he hadn't been spending the last several days sequestered with his lady. <Loria> ::smiles:: Dare I inquire as to how your little problem is going? <Dawn> I dare to believe that the worst of it is over, and all that remains is a bit of mopping-up. <Loria> ::nods slowly:: Kevil will be reassured to hear it. He has... issues with slavers. Long-standing, personal issues. It was all I could do to keep him out of your affairs. <Dawn> ::raises his eyebrows, then shakes his head:: It's a nasty practice. <Dawn> ::after a brief moment:: I hope your family is well? <Loria> ::nods:: Quite well, thank you. Diya and Kevil are both clamoring to go home to Alanis for the summer, but I loathe the desert. If I'm going to hot, I'd rather do it where there's plenty of water. ::she stands up and goes to her desk, removing a sheaf of plans:: I got your notes, as I said. <Dawn> ::nods:: I hope you weren't offended. I was tired and out of sorts, and it was refreshing to consider a problem that didn't have lives weighing in the balance. <Loria> Oh, no, not at all offended. ::she grins, a slightly mischievous expression on her face:: As a matter of fact, it solved one big problem I seem to have. If you're interested in my proposal. <Dawn> ::smiles faintly, in response to her infectious grin:: I'm always interested in a lady's proposal. <Loria> ::years ago, Loria probably would have blushed, but years in Alanis and living with Kevil and Diya have significantly broadened both her tolerance and her horizons:: I'm certain you are. * Dawn grins and helps himself to a chair, though he doesn't allow himself to slouch. "Let's hear it, then." <Loria> I am, as you so bluntly put it, currently in possession of someone who's grandiose ideas are going to be very difficult to construct. And finance. I propose... a replacement. Namely, you. <Dawn> ::raises his eyebrows:: I am not an architect, Lady. Merely an engineer. <Loria> ::snorts:: As if they grow in the hedgerows. ::she pushes the plans at him across the table:: Can you not help me? It wouldn't be too much. Refine the plans? Supervise the construction - part time, of course. I'm asking, perhaps ten hours of your time, per week. <Dawn> ::considers the plans:: I can certainly argue with your architect about practicalities such as time and budget and comfort compared to aesthetics... Ten hours a week for how many weeks? <Loria> ::rubs her chin:: I'm told the temple will take perhaps five years to construct. It's not very large. Obviously, as we gain followers, we'll have to expand, but surely this is enough, for now. With the possibility of re-negotiating? <Dawn> Five years. ::he snorts, still eyeing the plans, then looks at her sharply:: For which I get? <Loria> ::spreads her hands:: Church support. For the duration of the contract. Healing. Blessings. Sanctuary, if needed, for select members of your guild. Draughts, if you give me enough notice to prepare them. <Dawn> That's... an interesting proposal. Define "select members," please. You'd give all this to the Hookes regardless of any contract with me, I have no doubt. <Loria> ::nods:: That depends on you, Master Dawn. I have to trust you, not to put my family in danger by sending a madman to my door for healing. <Loria> Which is to say, I - and my Goddess - will hold you *personally* responsible for any actions of the people you send to me for aid. <Dawn> ::nods slowly, thinking:: Aye, of course. How much time is required for draughts? <Loria> Depends of the number needed. Generally speaking, about five days, to make anywhere between three and seven draughts. Much depends on the quality of herbs I can acquire. More can be made in the spring and summer, obviously. <Loria> If I push Rook some - ::she makes a slight face:: - he can usually help me increase that number by fifty percent. <Dawn> ::nods, long familiar with the vagaries of potion making, and grins briefly at her expression with regard to Rook:: Just looking for the base. It's... a generous offer, Lady. Will you be offended if I ask whether your, ah, menfolk are aware you're making it? <Loria> ::she sighs:: Kevil, yes. And Diya will not ask. You understand, at home, Diya holds a similar rank and position as the Purple Dragons do around here. Although the Guild there is all but legally recognized. <Dawn> ::blinks:: How can a criminal organization possibly be- Never mind. Never happen in Cormyr, anyhow. Not in my lifetime. I just need to be sure that no one's going to be surprised and threaten my people if they show up on your doorstep. <Loria> ::shrugs:: As I understand it, the Guild there is very... patriotic. I believe several sultans over their history owe their lives to the Guild. The Rangers... don't ask too many questions, when the Guild is well-regulated. <Loria> And once, at least, the offices are constructed at the temple, I'd prefer people are sent there. No need to tempt the Dragons into camping across the street waiting for someone to happen by. <Dawn> ::looks at the plans for a moment more then nods:: All right, Lady. I'll do it. Give me a password. I'll give it to my people who can be trusted with it. <Loria> ::considers:: Have them say they're friends of the e'Carell family. That should confound anyone who's not up on their mythology. <Dawn> e'Carell family. All right. <Loria> ::grins:: Thank you, Master Dawn. Please, take the plans with you. Our lot's address is written on the back. Tomorrow, you and I will get together with Master Bessan and we'll get started? Are you the slugabed, like Kevil, or up with the sun, like Diya? In either case, I'm generally up early. <Dawn> ::shrugs, half-smiling as he picks up the plans and rolls them neatly:: I sleep when I have time for it, though my lady is partial to late nights and lazy mornings. Tomorrow morning would be fine. Shall I come here, or meet you at the lot? <Loria> At the lot, please. Master Bessan and I will probably be in the middle of another of our famous screaming matches, so we'll both welcome the interruption. <Dawn> ::grins:: This is your architect? Do I get to scream at him, too? <Loria> Certainly you may... as long as you don't actually poke holes in him, I leave it up to you to determine how much he can be terrorized into compliance. <Dawn> ::chuckles:: This could be fun. Ah! A detail. For Master Bessan's sake, and that of other legitimate hirelings - I've a license in the name of one Master Tobias Gen. <Loria> Master Gen, then. ::she offers her hand to him:: I look forward to working with you. * Dawn takes her hand. "As do I, Lady. Thank you." |
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