Sticks
  The Court of Citrine Chains  
RY 768, First Gibbous Moon of Resplendent Earth

In the days since the Empress disappeared, much has happened. The Bull of the North shattered the Legions of House Tepet, reducing the once-proud martial power to a desperate shell of its former self. The loss of Imperial favor as currency has upended the balance of power. What stability was measured in the Empress’s goodwill vanished overnight, making cold mathematics the only currency of value. Numbers of troops, numbers of ships, numbers of warehouses packed with grain and numbers of Exalts on the rolls of great houses have become the true might of the Families, and all that holds them in check is a veneer of polite realpolitik varnished with pretty little alliances.

Mind you, these are the factors that keep both kings and couriers awake at night. To the average peasant on the street, the only question is where the next Siu is coming from and if taking that Siu means they’ve signed on with one great house or another for the next war, whenever that starts.

It is here, among the peasants and merchants, the patricians and the paupers of the Blessed Isle, that our story begins. Along a smooth-cobbled street of the Imperial City lit by late-morning sunshine. A rose-colored finch lands outside a small two-story shop-front. The bird first looks to the ground, searching in vain for crumbs dropped by patrons. This shop’s teenage bus-boy is too attentive to let crumbs linger on the doorstep, they were swept up quickly and deposited in the wicker dust-bin, to be later emptied into the midden half a block away. The finch will find no luck there, the sleek-furred rats that hide in the shadows are too quick and fierce to contest. No, the bird’s best bet is to wait for a customer to leave with half a seed-cake in hand and no real desire to finish it. A careless toss is all the finch will need. In the meantime, it’s not too late in the season to try for a mate. The bird’s feathers ruffle as its diminutive chest inflates, a series of high notes burst from its beak as it perches on the tea-house’s menu board. An answering call from a walled garden prompts the little bird to take to the air, hope stirring in his chest. Not only does the reply hold promise of a potential amorous encounter, but he can see several patrons converging on the tea-house. Perhaps when he returns, mate in tow, there will be abandoned treats that have evaded  the bus-boy’s attentive eye.

Inside the tea-house, the expected guests are greeted by soft light, a tinkling wall-fountain and a courteous smile from the elderly proprietor. Sandals and boots are taken to bright wooden shelves behind a counter, and a middle-aged woman in a lilac dress leads the newcomers to a narrow stairwell at the back with bright wood paneling, bypassing tables and cushions currently housing several patrols

At the top of the stairs, the newcomers find themselves in a wide room that opens onto a balcony, currently unobstructed by the folding paper panels that stand to attention at either side. The center of the tatami-mat floor is occupied by a wide, low table of polished dark wood. A circular rotating tray takes up the majority of the surface, holding a teapot and several cups, plus plates of small pastries and fresh fruit. The smell in the air is lightly fragrant with fresh-cut wheat and spring clover.

Casting a shadow that barely reaches the dishes, a man sits with his back to the balcony, facing the newcomers. He is slim and short, barely taller than the old man at the counter downstairs. His navy-blue hair is tied in an elegant top-knot that manages to be formal without being fussy. A white nagagi with squared sleeves adorns his top, and as he rises the to greet the guests, the elegant folds of sky-blue hakama rustle gently with his movement. An undecorated haori of soft purple silk lies neatly creased on a small folding table, barely revealing the hilts of two weapons underneath. The man’s unlined face turns to each person in turn, smiling gently in greeting as he meets each set of eyes and gives a small bow. His movement is unrushed, his eyes hold no challenge, but there is an almost electrical sensation as he makes eye-contact, as though a storm passed over in that heartbeat.

“ Thank you all for accepting my invitation. Come, sit! We have much to discuss, but the tea here is excellent and we will not be disturbed. ”

He pours himself, one hand holding back his sleeve as he fills each cup and sends it around the rotating tray. Once everyone is served, he pours for himself and smiles contentedly. The only sounds are the light murmur of conversation from below, and the sound of birdsong not far off.

“ Well, as the host I should begin the introductions. I am Quiet Gale, and I have called you all here to propose a venture that I hope will be beneficial for us all. Would you mind introducing yourselves to the table? I hope there to be no secrets between us. ”

The last statement is said lightly, but there is an edge of irony obvious to any who pay attention.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Please take this opportunity to describe your character and make a quick introduction.
 
Inspector Valin
What might be the strangest figure in this group takes a position close to the balcony, rather than the door: placing her at the side of their host. Her attire is, at a glance, entirely suited to the Imperial City: a fine green tunic, in a style V'neef made fashionable a couple of years ago, a gossamer lace skirt worn as a highlight over understated brown pantaloons. The   guan  on her head is a familiar site in the patricate, but more understated than that most patricians wear: a faint hint of a ridge rising up to set her apart, while the cloth behind it enfolds her ears. Now that the traveller has removed her cloak and hood however, even a glance is enough to tell that her appearance is odd: from skin that seems pale as fresh clay, with lines of glinting metal seeming to run through it, and blue hair that jangles ever so slightly as she moves her head. For all the world, some kind of bizarre puppet has been invited to join this meeting.

The artificial woman echoes Gale's bow, kneeling before the table with familiarity. She looks down at her tea for a surprising length of time. At last, she takes a lengthy sniff, then a gentle sip, before looking up to the rest of the group.  "Melodic Echo. Of the Tokumize."  She seems well named: her voice is curiously tonal, as if not singing takes her some small amount of concentration. For now, this seems to be all the information she is willing to share. Instead of expounding, Echo places a small inkwell down upon the table, before withdrawing a slender notebook and pen from her robes. Now that she is ready to begin, Echo rests the book before her, taking the pen in hand. Rather than waiting for introductions to continue, she's already begun jotting something down, scratching quickly away at the page in front of her.
Ascension
A solidly-built woman bows carefully to her host - deeply enough to be properly respectful, but stopping short of deference - before taking a seat at the man's side, opposite the living doll. Her ivory skin and soft features are unremarkable, here on the Blessed Isle. Her hair is a touch more distinct, a lusterless brown shot through with premature grey, pinned atop her head in a frizzy, uneven bun. Her black-on-white  qujupao  is old-fashioned in its lines and colors, but formal enough for a Dynastic social function, despite the unconventionally macabre patterning in its decorative trim: where a typical brocade might feature floral patterning, hers subtly curls into skeletal shapes: jawbones, teeth, pelvic bones.

Unusually for a woman in scholar's apparel, two shortswords are sheathed at the small of her back, in parallel to her reinforced sash belt, their hilts visible on opposite sides of her body. One is in the plain style of the Empress's legions, the other a creamy white Jade, with inlays of black metal and tarnished brass spiraling up its grip and curling around its guard. Despite the incongruity, she wears them with grace, and it hardly seems worth calling attention to them.

She picks up her cup and takes a graceful sip. She looks around the room before she speaks, making eye contact with anyone who doesn't make an effort to avoid it. Her eyes are a variegated hazel, like gemstones ruined with inclusions.
 
"I am called Ragara Morana,"  she says. Her High Realm is formal and delivered with a court accent, no traces of regionalism.  "Scholar and entrepreneur." 

Anyone who's been keeping a close eye on Dynastic social scandals and business failures in recent years should at least suspect that this introduction is an understatement.  Morana has been adjacent to  many  a Ragara fall from grace over the last decade, though she never quite seems to be at the epicenter when everything collapses.
 
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Morana commits 1 mote to Harmonious Presence Meditation.
 
Eurus
The fourth figure at the table is a man, and it's a wonder that he doesn't stick out more. He's short --  noticeably  short, even sitting down -- and stocky, with a thick and unruly beard and a long, fat braid of hair, both the same dark green as his eyes. His clothes look like they're comprised about 70% of patches, rugged forester's garb so faded that it's impossible to tell if it ever had a real color. A large bow, unstrung, visibly sticks out of his pack, and several knives of different shapes and sizes are strapped to convenient points on his body for easy drawing. Most jarring of all is the expression on his face; he looks downright dour, like he absolutely doesn't want to be here and is making no secret of the fact.

For all that, it's easy to ignore him until you actually have a reason to look. He's been quiet and nearly motionless so far, after all. When he speaks, his voice is softer than you might expect from the look of him, but with a bit of a growl forcibly injected.

 "...Moss." 

Is that his name? Is it a warning? Is he  requesting  some moss? It's difficult to say.
pfm1995
The long-fingered Cynis Belar Sae slinks into the room with the kind of easy, languid grace that raises hackles and has folk checking their knives, doubly so when it's so incongruous with his actual appearance. Sitting still, he has the look of an unsuccessful scholar - prematurely grey hair, skin pockmarked with acne scars and hands spotted with burn marks, he looks like he'd be begging some far-flung provincial satrap for a job if he wasn't here. His robes, while in House Cynis colors, are faded light greens and greys rather than their usual bold colors.

It's a statement, just as him coming to this meeting unarmed is a statement. Whatever his allegiances, they're not to his family name.

" Belar Sae. " He introduces himself, eyes passing over their host and his potential compatriots before pausing over the mechanical woman. His eyes narrow, before he seems to shrug and consign himself to asking about it later.

 "I'm hopeful I was asked to be here for my martial skills, and not for my background." 

For those familiar with dynastic politics, the name is not familiar.
The_Snark
The last of the guests is a woman, not so much seated as  sprawled  at the table in a manner that suggests either complete ignorance or blithe indifference to teahouse etiquette. Her complexion is darker than most natives of the Isle, sun-browned and dotted with freckles; her hair is likewise dark, and cut short enough that it barely reaches her ears. Despite her careless manner, her eyes are bright and lively, darting around the room and taking in her new acquaintances with interest.

 "Saffron Blooms in Winter,"  she says cheerfully,  "of the Immaculate Order."  Her robe  could  be a monk's robe, though it's silk instead of the prescribed wool, but the jewelry she's wearing - an opal necklace, a pair of silver bangles and a couple of rings - certainly isn't proper Immaculate attire.
Ascension
Morana surveys the room once more. The gathered crowd is certainly... peculiar.
 
"Are you proposing a  business  venture, Gale?"  she asks their host, with a measured note of incredulity.  "I hope you're not trying to tempt our esteemed representative of the Order away from her vows." 

She manages to deliver that line with grave enough solemnity to leave reasonable doubt as to whether she's being sarcastic or not.
Sticks
Quiet Gale gives a smile that is almost warm, but not unfriendly.

" Oh, I certainly hope to tempt each and every one of you. It's much easier to work with people who are open about their desires. "

He folds his hands in his lap and takes a breath before launching into a prepared speech.

" I'll be blunt. I've arranged to have each of you here because I am faced with a challenging task. I am a member of the All-Seeing Eye, the Empress's information-gathering services. Don't try to reveal my identity to anyone, it would do you no good and make explaining your death very inconvenient. " He says the last sentence without a hint of irony and takes a sip of tea before continuing.

" I have recruited you because I do not know what exactly this task entails. My remit is broad, my objective vague and my parameters are nonexistent, aside from ensuring that I succeed and nobody knows that I was involved. For this, I've assembled a team of individuals with varied talents from combat to finances to social climbing, the five of you here. " At this he raises his cup in a mock toast, but puts it down without drinking this time.

 "You are skilled, each in your own way. I also know that for one reason or another, none of you are the toast of the Realm. Your pasts, your behaviors and even the facts of your existence make you an oddity beyond the usual tolerance of the Scarlet Dynasty. Assume I know why you are outside of Realm society, as well as any relevant details, it's my job to know such things. This means you are currently unobserved, beneath suspicion. You can act where I cannot and do things I am incapable of doing. For this, I will be happy to reward you with whatever is in my power. "

At this Gale takes a long sip of his tea, allowing his words to sink in. The promise of wealth, influence, secrets and more would tempt many, and he knows that the people assembled at the table would not have come if they didn't intend to take his offer.

 
 Spoiler: RP Spoilers 
Gale is going to pause for a moment to let anyone who wishes to speak, but he'll continue shortly if nobody wishes to fill the silence.
 
Inspector Valin
Echo raises an eyebrow. The strange puppet woman has abandoned her book for the moment, studying their host quite intently. That... was not something she had expected. As he takes his sip, Echo shares a thought with the group.  "We live in a time of charlatans, tricksters and con men, when the truth is often hard to spot. With so many things hidden, and so many would be manipulators at large, how do you know when you've met an actual Agent of the All-Seeing Eye?" 

She takes a far briefer sip of tea than Gale, letting the rhetorical question sit with the room before providing her own answer with a smile.  "When they admit what they don't know." 
Ascension
Morana looks to the puppet - the puppet who can  drink tea  and form cogent thoughts - and arches an eyebrow.

 "I attended the Spiral Academy,"  she says.  "Let me assure you that humility is not a hallmark of everyone engaged in the act of espionage." 

She turns her attention back towards Gale.
 
"And it is 'much easier to work with' someone in the business of knowing when they do know  something . If you haven't at least a breadcrumb, I don't see how we could be of help to your... nebulous-but-urgent mission." 
Eurus
Moss snorts and grumbles under his breath, a rant that doesn't seem directed at anyone in specific and progressively gets more and more indecipherable.  "Get us to do the dirty work so that you can keep your hands clean... business as usual for your type, I'm sure... (something) noose of the empire... (something) twist my arm (something)..." 

He doesn't react to Echo or Morana.
The_Snark
In contrast to Moss's grumbling, Saffron laughs.  "Are you being cagey because you don't want to tell us too much before we've agreed to hear you out, or do you actually not know what the job is?"  she inquires, and though the words could be biting her tone is playful rather than accusing, like she's bantering with an old friend.  "Oh! Are we being hired to  figure out  what you're supposed to do? That's a new one even for me! I like it." 
Sticks
Gale drains his cup and places it down gently, a laugh on his lips. " My good Moss, of course it is business as usual for my kind. However, this time I am keeping my hands clean to prevent my involvement becoming a bigger issue than the consequences of failure. "

Quiet Gale reaches into his belt and draws out a small carved cameo necklace. Expertly carved in white jade, the face of a small girl stares up at the ceiling with childish joy. Her face is rounded, her hair cut in a bob and she has a small mole under her right eye. " This is your objective. This girl, V'neef Eun-Ji, is missing. "

Gale holds up a hand to forestall any immediate questions, then continues. " I know, not the conspiracy you might have been hoping for. I must insist though, that Eun-Ji's absence is cause for concern. She is a very special little girl. Her parents are V'neef Geo-Roo, and Peleps Hajime. You will be hard-pressed to find two houses with more open animosity than V'neef and Peleps, but these two ship captains did the unthinkable and fell in love. Worse, they managed to marry and produce an heir before their families could intervene. The happy couple represent something unheard of, the potential for a happy union between two rival houses. "

He crosses his arms and a frown creases his unlined face. " Now, Eun-Ji's disappearance represents a problem. She is the lynchpin holding her parents together. From what I have learned they are besides themselves with worry, their relationship is extremely close and their open affection for their daughter is...remarkable...at least among the great houses. They will not divorce willingly, but House Peleps is resentful of their relationship. Geo-Roo is the mother, and as such Eun-Ji takes her house-name and V'neef stands to gain more by her life and anticipated exaltation. Worse, her claims on house Peleps represent an existential threat to the unity of the Imperial Navy. Should such a child become a leader with claims on both the Merchant Fleet and the Navy, she would be able to influence the balance of power in the Realm...assuming she lives to adulthood of course." 

Quiet Gale claps his hands together once, beams around the table and speaks very quickly " Anyway, she has gone missing, V'neef are accusing Peleps, Peleps is denying all involvement but not trying to find her, the parents are beside themselves and normal investigations have failed. This falls to the Eye and to me, and now I'm handing it off to you because I can't be seen to be involved. What do you say? Care to look for a missing little girl? "
Inspector Valin
Echo is extremely still, arms at her sides, face left resting as she studies Gale. Her mind is turning back. It's... likely a very bad idea to openly work with the All Seeing Eye. He couldn't have proof of anything and this puts her at more risk than ever before. She can't trust an entire circle of Dragon Blooded, that's  ridiculous . But work of a covert nature would require some secrecy and discretion from everyone involved. And... the nature of this assignment. Helping a small child of a loving family, caught up in dynastic politics beyond her control...

She should still stay out of it. It would be easy to stay out of this. Fall back on the old, comfortable veil. Leave this job to Gale and his allies. V'neef Eun-Ji will be found without her input. There's no need to take this path. But the possibilities here, both good and bad are spiralling.   Should've. Could've. Would've. 

"Yes." 

The word comes suddenly. It even surprises Echo herself. SItting up, she nods to Gale.  "I would appreciate some notice if we have to leave the City for a duration. I need to set my affairs in order, appoint appropriate understudies, budget for the intervening time. But in principle, the answer is yes."  She waves a hand, gesturing to the side.  "You say normal investigations have failed. Do you have any report on what has been uncovered? Any starting point would be helpful." 
Ascension
So this is the situation. A child made a pawn, a  victim , of a Dynastic power-play. Was Morana brought to this table so that the parallels could be used as leverage against her? Is this manipulation or coincidence? Morana resents it, regardless. She resents her vulnerability to this scenario, her inability to say no.

She still can't say no. But she resents Gale nonetheless.
 
 'If you cross me, Quiet Gale, I will bury you. Bury you so deep you'll never see the sun again,'   she thinks.
 
"Begin at the beginning,"  she says aloud, jumping in on the construct's planning without deigning to affirm her participation in the venture. She won't sign any contracts, even verbally, until she has read every last clause and punctuation mark. She knows too well what traps can lurk there.
 
"Even if others claim that the crime scene is void of useful information, we couldn't take their word for it. I have... certain uncommon talents with forensic applications, and I would not be surprised if others in this gathering have unusual gifts or unorthodox approaches. We would have to have access to the girl's last known location. That is non-negotiable." 
Sticks
Quiet Gale nods politely to Melodic Echo. " Yes, I will give you the full dossier on the investigation so far. We've managed to obtain both V'neef and Peleps' official reports as well as an investigation by the local magistrate. None of them felt they'd turned up anything useful, but you may notice details they overlooked. As far as Travel, the girl vanished here in the Imperial City, though where your investigation takes you, I do not know. I am willing to cover your personal expenses in this endeavor, food, lodging, bribes and so on provided you bring receipts.  I cannot account for any further losses you may incur by taking on this job. Just think about adding a lump-sum to your compensation if you need to. "

Gale looks to the others, face impassive. " Please do ask any questions you have, I'm here to help and I hope you'll all agree. "


 
 Originally Posted by Ascension 
 So this is the situation. A child made a pawn, a  victim , of a Dynastic power-play. Was Morana brought to this table so that the parallels could be used as leverage against her? Is this manipulation or coincidence? Morana resents it, regardless. She resents her vulnerability to this scenario, her inability to say no.

She still can't say no. But she resents Gale nonetheless.
 
 'If you cross me, Quiet Gale, I will bury you. Bury you so deep you'll never see the sun again,'   she thinks.
 
"Begin at the beginning,"  she says aloud, jumping in on the construct's planning without deigning to affirm her participation in the venture. She won't sign any contracts, even verbally, until she has read every last clause and punctuation mark. She knows too well what traps can lurk there.
 
"Even if others claim that the crime scene is void of useful information, we couldn't take their word for it. I have... certain uncommon talents with forensic applications, and I would not be surprised if others in this gathering have unusual gifts or unorthodox approaches. We would have to have access to the girl's last known location. That is non-negotiable."  
 

Gale sighs aloud. " Yes, I rather hope your particular talents in forensics aren't required, Ragara Morana, but I am hoping to bring you in partially if they are needed. Your particular suite of abilities is a uniquely useful niche, and I had hoped to work with you at some point regardless. " He gives a smile that is intended to be reassuring, then lets out a dry cough and pours more tea.

" Ahem, I won't be making a formal contract with any of you directly. You'll be deputized under the auspices of the Black Helms, with Saffron Blooms in Winter offering further legitimacy under the Immaculate order. On paper, you're answering to Cathak Solru, a functionary in the Imperial justice system, but he's a stuffed shirt working for me. Any official message to or from him will instead be to or from me, with his signature. You will have full investigative powers, the ability to detain witnesses, take evidence and accept testimony. If you are dealing with a patrician or, dragons forbid, a dynast who needs detaining, simply encourage them to remain at home until I can have Solru issue a formal arrest warrant. Anyone of common stock may of course be detained however you wish, please make use of the local constabulary's premises and resources. "

He takes a long sip of tea, sighing with appreciation. " Ah, this tea always helps with the season. The flowering trees smell so sweetly but they do make such a mess that clogs my throat."  He brushes absently at his robes, and indeed a small cascade of pollen drifts to the floor.

" Now, as for the details of the case: the V'neef have a large Manse within the city, the House of Cheerful Bounty. It is a fire-aspected structure gifted to them by Her Majesty some decades ago. Eun-Ji and her parents were staying at the House while they were visiting the city. The girl had been presented to her Grandmother, V'neef herself...please don't try to interview her, it's more red-tape than I'll get through in a century...and Peleps Hajime was being formally welcomed to the family. Apparently that went better than had been expected. Hajime, it seems, is an amiable man who was well-liked. They spent an evening as a family, the evening went on late for the adults, and in the morning the child went missing before her parents awoke. The servants have been questioned, they can account for the girl's movements and their own in the early morning, she certainly spent the night in her bed, and by the third bell after sunrise she was missing. A servant went looking for her to bring her tea and she could not be found. The household looked for her, but she had simply vanished. By early-afternoon the formal search had begun, servants were questioned, anyone who had business with the house was investigated, nothing. Nobody saw or heard anything out of the ordinary." 

He pauses to sip, but Echo at least notices that the sip works to bring drama. It's clear there's more to say. Gale puts his cup down again and folds his hand in his lap. It's clear he's trying to keep his tone even as he speaks. " The one incongruity is the testimony of the girl's nanny. When she was pressed, she admitted that the night before as she was helping Eun-Ji into her night-clothes, the girl seemed perturbed. She asked her what was troubling her, and Eun-Ji said 'Someone wants to kill me.' "
Ascension
 "One more question. To our knowledge, the girl has not yet Exalted, yes?" 

Given her presumed age, this should be a given, but Morana has seen enough strangeness in her life to take little for granted.
Eurus
Moss stops grumbling, although his expression doesn't look any happier. He thinks for a few seconds. He starts tapping his fingers on the table, like a nervous tic. Then he fixes Gale with a glare, and huffs.

 "...What if she's already dead? Are two families of angry lee- of  dynasts  going to come for our heads for failing to work a miracle?" 
Sticks
 
 Originally Posted by Eurus 
 Moss stops grumbling, although his expression doesn't look any happier. He thinks for a few seconds. He starts tapping his fingers on the table, like a nervous tic. Then he fixes Gale with a glare, and huffs.

 "...What if she's already dead? Are two families of angry lee- of  dynasts  going to come for our heads for failing to work a miracle?"  
 

" Ah, a fair question. No, I have no idea if the girl is dead or alive. If she is dead, I will still reward you the same if you can discern who killed her and why. As for failing to produce a miracle...no-one can account for the actions of grieving parents or affronted chosen, but I will ensure no official censure falls upon you for merely investigating. Any animosity you stir up during the course of your investigation will be your burden. That is the best guarantee you can get from me. "

In reply to Morana, Gale's expression softens somewhat. " Ah, no. As I understand it the girl was up to writing her own name in advanced junior calligraphy and reciting the deeds of the Dragons in Old Realm verse, but had not yet begun igniting her bedding or growing her dinner-salad into an orchard. Considering the pedigree of her doting parents, she will most likely grow into an Exalt of some potential. "
Ascension
Morana shifts in her seat, surreptitiously brushing her left hand against the composite hilt of her artifact blade. Her skin goes cold at the touch, and emotion floods into her... the raw emotion of an unquiet ghost.

  'Asaka, how do you feel about this?'   she asks through their link, though she feels certain of the answer.

Sure enough, a wave of wrath surges through her, and a familiar voice, harshened by death and emotion, whispers in her mind,   'we AVENGE her.'  

She sends back affirmation and lets her hand drift away from the sword hilt.

She turns her focus to Gale.
 
"I expect you'll provide a written contract outlining the details of your expectations and our compensation. The former can be shielded in euphemism, of course, given the nature of the work, but the latter should be crystal clear. Yes?" 

It's barely a question. She radiates certainty that her terms will inevitably be accepted.
Sticks
Gale frowns slightly. He straightens up and addresses the entire group as he answers Morana.

" No, I'm afraid a written contract is out of the question. On paper, I do not exist. Your payment for services rendered will be guaranteed by Cathak Solru's office, but it will be a nominal sum for the act of investigating. I would not have sought you all out if mere money were enough to bring you aboard. Your rewards besides money will be delivered by me, on my honor as an agent of her Majesty's Imperial Intelligence Service. I offer information, access to resources beyond what most dynasts are able to acquire, particular artifacts within my power to obtain and an offer of service of your choosing. Name your price and I will do my utmost to meet it. That is the offer you will only get from me. Approach either the V'Neef or the Peleps parties for employment and they will not be able to match my offer. You have no particular reason to trust me, but I give my word that my interests support yours in this matter. "

Quite Gale settles back onto his knees. It is clear that his offer is on the table. He offers a guarantee of Jade and a promise to return the favor, but no further assurances. Whether the assembled Exalts take the deal, or how happy they are with the conditions, is up to them.
Inspector Valin
 "This presents a... strange situation for me, Master Gale."
 
The puppet woman is the first to speak, though her words are slow. They're carefully measured, and seem to match some kind of hidden beat.  "I have little need of Jade, or artifacts. Information has some value, but that's part of my business as things stand. There's one clear payment that could truly secure my cooperation, but it's one that I suspect you will be the most reluctant to give." 

Still, better to ask and have it shot down rather than let the best possibility go unspoken.  " Would  official support from the Service for the Tokumize be negotiable?"  She reopens her journal, flicking to a blank page.  "I do not require personnel, or resources. Simply that your interest and support for our hall is made known to those who matter.  The implication that the Eye watches over us would be value beyond the whole Scarlet Purse in today's climate."  

She smiles to Gale, but there's a sad look on Echo's strange clay-like face.  "That is, at least, the  ideal  payment. You can rest assured, such an act would secure my loyalty in a way a mountain of jade could not. But that very act would tie you to me and mine, in a way that all this bureaucratic separation seems designed to avoid. It's...  annoying  that something so perfect, so ideal, would be off the table."
 
She sighs, half-closing the book but resting it's cover on her hand for the moment.  "If it's not a viable solution, say. That will not stop my participation in this enterprise. Other forms of payment are possible, and even if unspoken, I view this relationship as holding potential value. But if you  aren't  able to give me what I need, and instead must resort to what I  want ... A higher price seems fair. No?"
 
Leaving that thought with the Intelligencer, Melodic Echo turns back to Morana.  "If you want a stronger guarantee of compensation, I may be able to underwrite Master Gale's agreement, depending on what you want. I've discretionary funds enough to handle a good deal myself. And if I'm working with you directly, I won't be able to evade your reach."  The puppet chuckles.  "The same offer holds for anyone at this table. If this does fall apart, an agreement with Ragara Morana, or other Dragon Blooded worthies, would be an...  acceptable  alternative to the Eye's direct support. I doubt I can offer as much as he, but I can at least give you some kind of security, if you're concerned about taking a spy at his word." 
Eurus
Moss listens to Melodic Echo with slightly more interest than he's shown for most of these proceedings. He lets her finish before he grunts at Quiet Gale, unfazed by the man's rather shady conditions. Moss, perhaps more than most, is fully aware of the balance of power at this table, and it's not one that's in Moss's favor.

 "You know what I want already, or you should... I want to be left alone, officially. No coin, no razor, no more debts. And a fat pouch of jade wouldn't go amiss, since your headhunters burned my last house down. Easy enough, right?" 
pfm1995
Sae stays quiet throughout the discussion, seeming to chew over his options. His head tilts one way, then the other, and his eyes briefly close as he nods along to his own internal argument. Never once in all of this does he even consider asking a question. In fact, whenever the others do he seems to twitch slightly, almost unnoticeably, and when the Ragara makes her demand his hands immediately settle flat on the table with a kind of patient menace.

In his world, there is only one reason to make records, much less ask for them, and only one punishment: whole families floating belly up in the tangled inlets of the Thousand Tongues, prizes for the scavenger-gods to fight over. A Ragara should know better.

Then, maybe that's their way - they're face-thieves, shielded but never bound by the law. She'd want a record as a weapon, then, but even Cynis children know that weapons are better kept hidden until they're needed.

It's not until talk turns to payment that he speaks, and it requires very little thought on his part.

 "Thirteen years ago, a branch family of the patrician House Terai were killed in their estate on the Dawn River. Official Imperial investigations later found them connected to a minor drug ring supplying the The Garden of Crimson Pleasures, and closed the issue as the natural consequences of failing virtue. The Eyes also made an investigation - I would like the results." 
Ascension
Morana winces internally, though she schools her expressions thoroughly enough to limit its external expression to a single fleeting twitch.

Gale's offer is the sort which is fine tuned to manipulate... or, more charitably, to mutually benefit... people possessed of ambitions beyond their power. She, meanwhile, is a creature whose ambitions have already run their course. Even that which she should still fear - reprisal from those she visited vengeance upon, a vicious cycle of revenge - hardly moves her.

Yet, she  wants  to help Gale in this task, not for her sake  or  for his, but for that of the young V'neef. And that impulse towards charity is absolutely the  last  thing she should reveal to a man like Gale. She  cannot  have it known that she can be bought so cheaply, by nothing more than  sentiment .

She needs to name a price that will cost Gale, a price that will not allow him to undervalue her. But what? Something petty - Jade, simple favors, a husband - that would make her look small-minded. Power as the Realm conventionally recognizes it - a Legion, a senate seat, a satrapy - that would come with enough strings to risk making a puppet of her. That leaves what, the esoteric?

A thought dawns. An absurd thought, but one just on the border of plausibility. One which wouldn't necessarily trigger the same warning bells as, say, asking after the Imperial Manse.
 
"Well. If we are to deal in promises and possibilities..." 

She leans towards Gale, a ghost of a smile on her lips.
 
"Would your network be capable of locating a tomb?" 
Sticks
Quiet Gale sits and takes in the requests. For the most part his face is inscrutable, but after a moment he takes out a sheaf of paper and a charcoal stick and writes several quick lines in shorthand. He finishes writing, folds the paper into a simple bird shape, then gently tosses it over his shoulder towards the balcony. A breeze takes the paper and gently whisks it out of sight.

" Acceptable, for the most part. I cannot have the Eye make any official statements, but I can fulfill all of these requests through indirect means. "

He wipes charcoal residue from his fingers, then smiles at the other chosen. " I take it this means you'll accept the job? "
Eurus
Moss grunts affirmatively. He eyes his (presumed) new coworkers a little more closely, wondering how far he can trust any of them. They all reek of nobility to varying extents... except the monk, but that's only slightly better.
pfm1995
 "Yes."  Sae says simply, spending less time on the question than he does on eyeing the others. Mostly, he's trying to determine one thing only: is this a step down in criminality for them, or a step up?
The_Snark
 "Of course I will!"  Saffron exclaims, clapping her hands together.  "And you needn't worry yourself over anything as mercenary as payment; traditionally, I believe a traveling monk works for room, board, and the goodwill of their fellow Dynasts, and who am I to buck tradition?"  Which is not to say she's refusing payment; the goodwill of the powerful - or favors, in a more cynical parlance - is a currency more valuable by far than jade or gemstones. Quiet Gale  and  the V'neef girl's family? She always did like being paid twice for the same job.

 "I do have one last question, though. You said you can't be seen getting involved here. Why? Who are you worried about, and should we be worried too?" 
Ascension
Morana is left with an unfamiliar feeling - the impression that she's  lost  a negotiation. But Asaka is determined, she's determined... She has to see this through.

 "Your terms are... acceptable,"  she grudgingly concedes.
Sticks
Quiet Gale sighs in relief, nodding his approval at the gathered Chosen's agreement.

He starts to rise, then pauses at Saffron's question. He settles back down and says simply " I am an agent of the All Seeing Eye. My loyalty must be to the Realm first and foremost. With the Empress missing and the Regent spending his time...indisposed...my agency needs to keep up the appearance of impartiality. By interfering, I could be seen as favoring one house over another, which would compromise the Eye's neutrality and likely end my career as an agent...you can understand why I did not lead with this information. "
Sticks
A light rain has fallen by the time the newly minted circle of Chosen leaves the tea-house. The quiet, friendly patrons all give knowing nods as the Exalts make their way onto the steaming bricks. Eagle-eyed members of the group notice cudgels, knives and other easily concealed weapons on the other patrons; it seems Gale did not meet them alone.

There is a moment's hesitation as Moss orients the group in the proper direction, and in that time Echo's Palanquin-bearers approach. The four sturdy servants bear between them an elegant cherry-wood conveyance gently littered with cashmere pillows in delicate shades of pink, cyan and teal. The rain seems to have not touched the chair, its open top protected by four large hand-held wax-paper umbrellas. The servants lower the chair for Echo, then set off at a relaxed pace. True opulence is never in a hurry.

The path to the House of Cheerful Bounty is not long, as the heron flies, but it takes some time as the markets are re-opening after shuttering for the rain. In the hazy damp heat of the morning sun, the streets and alleys boast all manner of sights, sounds and smells. A western shadow-puppet show catches the attention of children, weaving a morality tale of wicked, over-reaching gods and the Dragons who tamed them and set order to the world. Pots of rice and meat sizzle and bubble with enticing spices, men and women alike line up for professional touch-ups to their makeup, made to run in the drizzle.

Before they reach their destination, the circle will pass through the lamplight district, always dry and quiet, but filled with the quiet hum of commerce at work. Here the serious-minded and scholarly go for clandestine meetings where they will be seen, but their conversations will go unheard by prying ears. Following that is the Jade Octagon, a public park of famed beauty where discreet black-helms silently patrol for sleeping vagrants. The laughter of children always drowns out the scolding of their tutors and servants as the young patricians tumble down grassy slopes, staining their elegant students' robes. Often the children don't even notice the cursing of retired laborers snatching their tackle-boxes away from the youths' flailing legs, their quiet morning's fishing in the many ponds disturbed by the childish display of merriment.

Indeed, it will take a good slice of the morning to cross all that, longer if anyone has business on the way, but who would begrudge a dragon's indulgence?

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
If you have any interest in stopping at any of these locales or investigating the city, please take the opportunity to do so here.
 
Ascension
Morana moves at a deliberate pace, tracing a path around any puddles or patches of mud which might linger in the way with more diligence than grace. She'd had a feeling there would be rain today, and her own furled umbrella is held firmly beneath one arm. If anyone tries to engage her in conversation before the circle is out of mortal earshot of the teahouse, she will deflect, falling back on well-worn small talk if pressed: The anecdote about the time her third cousin's fiancé (an Exalted patrician weary of condescension from the Dynastic family he intended to marry into) ruined a gala with ensorcelled wine might play well with this crowd.

As the odd little Hearth gains distance from the teahouse, she starts paying attention to the businesses lining the street. As they pass a makeup artist's stall, she pauses and snatches up a hand mirror, holding up an imperious finger to forestall any protests from any shop girl or queued patron.
 
"I am  not  waiting in a line, regardless,"  she says, matter-of-factly,  "but you can hardly expect anyone to queue up for your services without checking first to see if they  need  them." 

In actuality, she's entirely unconcerned with her (basic, but flattering and durable) makeup; rather, she uses the mirror to quickly check behind her for too-familiar faces from the teahouse or suspicious movement in the crowd or on the rooftops. Simultaneously, she reaches out through the earth under her feet, uncanny senses allowing her to parse every subtle vibration nearby and filter out the  unseen  amidst the seen. If Quiet Gale... or anyone  else ... is having her and her fresh-minted allies tailed, she would like to know.

 
 Spoiler: OOC and Roll 
So, I'll commit a mote to All-Encompassing Earth Sense, automatically alerting Morana to "a hidden danger or concealed character out to medium range as long as they are on the same surface, or no more than one range band above on structures or scenery resting on the ground, such as a roof or a tree branch." She's also going to make a visual check. Since this is a somewhat hasty glance-around rather than a slower approach, I'll roll Finesse + Awareness. If All-Encompassing Earth Sense would apply to someone but they're hidden flawlessly due to magic, this roll will contest their stealth with double-8s; if we have a tail but they would  not  be picked up by Earth Sense (because they're airborne, for instance), I'd like to apply the roll against them, but it would not be magically enhanced.

Without further ado:
 
 Spoiler: Finesse+Awareness 
Finesse (3) + Awareness (3) + Stunt (2):  (8d10)[ 10 ][ 5 ][ 8 ][ 5 ][ 5 ][ 4 ][ 9 ][ 10 ](56) 
 

 
Sticks
The girl at the stall cuts off her protest at once. It is unwise to quarrel with a dynast at the best of times, and doing so while she's already busy with customers would be even more unwise.

Morana sees many of the usual sights of the market in her brief glimpse of the mirror, but no tails, obvious or otherwise. The pulse of magic through her feet into the earth tells her much about her surroundings, from the pickpocket lifting a man's purse while her friend reads tiles on an upturned rice-bale, to children hiding from an irate fruit-vendor, sticky juice running down their faces as they eat slices of stolen melon. None of the faces in the crowd are those of the patrons at the tea-house, and if anyone is acting suspicious, it does not seem to have anything to do with her or her new companions.

It seems as though Quiet Gale is extending them trust, at least for now.
pfm1995
Sae steps out of the teahouse with the heavy-shouldered mien of a man already resigned to getting rained on, even if it hasn't quite happened yet. He strides through the street with his hands in his pockets and makes no effort to avoid the muck and effluvia of the street or the early-morning crowds stirring it all up. When a mortal lad, busy staring at the women advertising a store across the street, bumps into him, he waves off the bowing and scraping with barely a glance. He'd be called merciful, if his expression didn't make it very clear he didn't consider punishing the boy even slightly worth his time.

The very, very observant may notice that he leaves the encounter just a little bit lighter.

Four blocks later and no fewer than six people have bumped into Cynis Belar Sae. Each was let go with nothing but a grunt of acknowledgement, but by now even the dullest of observers have realized that something is afoot. Inside his pockets, Sae's too-long fingers run over and over chits carved of soft woods, reading their stories even as his nails carve new ones.

Then, seemingly remembering that he is working with other people, he slows his pace to let the palanquin draw nearer to him. When he does, he speaks in far too casual a tone for the subject matter at hand.

 "It's not uncommon for children with the blood of dragons to be kidnapped for profit - certainly more common than the Eyes or their lesser cousins would have you believe - but this matches virtually none of the usual patterns for that kind of work. Our ingenue is too politically well connected. Those kinds of flesh peddlers have a deep aversion to that level of risk. Still, in the interest of leaving no stone unturned, I've sent some old friends to ask some questions in the waterways and smuggler's docks. If she tries to leave the Isle on anything less than a Dynastic barge, they will know and soon thereafter I will too." 

He pauses, apparently thinking.

 "If help was hired for the kidnapping itself, I may be able to track them down as well. But that will take time, and I would like a look at the servants first." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Sae's Contacts primary merit putting in work.
 