Erik
Head Advisor Dimitri Novikov
Meros Library, Erba

Dimitri was surprised to see Leon pull out what was very clearly the _good_ stuff. "Very honestly, Leon, Islanders _are_ tiring. I work with them all the time, and they run me ragged. It's exactly why you've got an Azaryan to speak to." He picked up the glass between his thumb and forefinger, swishing the liquid in the light of the fire and checking for filament. Nothing. 

"What _is_ this?" He brought it to his nose to check for any particular notes. "It's exquisite." He brought it to his lips and took a small sip. He let a soft chuckle escape his lips as he reclined further, setting the glass back on the table. "I do apologize for taking your spot. It's all yours if you want it. What we want from you is access to the river Zacil. We simply want to trade with the riverlands, and that has to go through you. Thankfully, this isn't a hollow promise. We've brought just a sample of the goods you can expect to come through here on a regular basis. Chocolate, fine Amorothian silks, textiles, foreign fruits, rum, sugar, tobacco." He shrugged, "And a _significant_ amount of gold. Enough to repave those streets in it. Unless, of course, gold _isn't_ your thing." 

Dimitri Novikov threw open his overcoat and reached into one of the pockets, procuring a small leather sack and tossing it onto the table. It fell with a heavy thud, and from it, he pulled out a small silver coin. "I'm sure a man of your caliber has made deals in platinum, yes?"

The Pirate King Bradai Maith

Meros Drawing Room, Erba

"—vhats exactly right! Tha dry season is lovely, only about a 'alf an 'our of rain a day. Tha wet season is absolutely miserab—" His conversation with the servant girl was interrupted by the arrival of Robin. He would turn briefly to register that it was him, fish into his pocket and pull out a gold coin, place it in the hand of the girl, and smile. "Now do me a favor and go out to spend vhis tonight. After tha dinner, right? If anyone asks why you're not at your post, tell vhem vhey can talk to me, yeah?" She returned the nod and headed off around the corner, sensing that the arrival of the pirate was a good enough time as any to leave. 

"Well, Mister Swillwater. What are you now, mate? Not a Captain anymore, comin' on a diplomatic mission like vhis." Bradai, despite clearly being in enemy territory, was in good spirits. "Tha nice fing about you mate, is vhat I never 'ave to see you." He narrowed his eyes and smirked, patting him on his thigh. "And I mean vhat in tha best of ways. You get everyfing done, you keep everyone in line. I see your name in letters and ledgers, but I never need to make a trip to come and visit you personally. You've got everyfing under control." He removed his hand and shook a finger before placing it back into the pommel of his cane, on top of his other hand. The Pirate King leaned in towards the Advisor, eyes fixed towards the crowd. "But we're done at keeping fings under control now, mate. Now we _bring_ tha madness, yeah? For once."

His hand gestured towards Thalia, positioned by the window in that stunning blue dress. "One of yours. I don't know 'er vhat well, but—" He cocked his head slightly, as if it was going to crack her wide open, "I'd like to. She seems bright, a good 'ead on 'er shoulders. Seven 'ells, she's tha one growing most uff tha poppy for my 'ouse, and I've 'ever 'eard a peep. Bunch of youngbloods, 'ouse Alder. Tell me about 'er."
Douglas
Provincial Leon Welles
Meros Library, Erba.

Leon scoffed, "Is that right? An Azaryan?" He looked the man up and down once, "Seems about right. Although, how you call yourself an Azaryan when you're a pawn in The Pirate King's quest to rid the entire world of any sort of culture he doesn't approve of remains a mystery to me." He took a long slow drink of the amber beverage he'd poured for them both. "I'd better not hear my son use the word Araedian in regards to himself... He spat on Araedia when he brought you and your shitblood King to her shores." 

Leon relaxed in his seat, "It's an Araedian take on brandy. No official name for it yet, not a lot of people have had the pleasure of sampling it. Comes from a certain grape, it's not always available. Give it time, I planned on making an investment." He shook his head when Dimitri offered to change seats, really there wasn't a bad one in the room. 

Leon listened when Dimitri went on to explain what they needed from him. They needed his face, really. Brandon couldn't deliver them that. His first reaction was to deny him, let them do whatever they would to him because his disdain for them ran deep at the thought of his son in the drawing room licking the Pirate King's boots. He sat quietly for a long while, turning his head to look at the fire lowly burning in the hearth.

When he turned back to Dimitri he smirked then leaned forward to retrieve the platinum, " I like the sound of the arrangement. I'll be expecting a small display of what's to come, a little chocolate and some silks. For my daughter, you know what these young women are like these days." He laughed shortly, "However, I'd like one more thing. Something simple... Won't cost you a thing, but the entire agreement depends upon it." He leaned forward in his chair, pointing his finger at Dimitri even though it was still holding on to the glass he was drinking from.." You will release my son from any duties you assigned him, cut him out completely. You'll leave him here with absolutely nothing. He will sleep in his bed tonight knowing exactly where his place is in the Southern Isles and in Araedia."
Erik
Head Advisor Dimitri Novikov
Meros Library, Erba

Dimitri looked at Leon and smirked, "You don't have to like me, Leon. You can hate me with every fiber of your being, but _please_, but those differences aside to that we—" He sat up, placing his elbows on his knees and leaning forwards to look at the bottle of Araedian brandy, "Can discuss this liquor. Do you make this _on_ the property?" It was clear that he was one hundred percent legitimate. 

Dimitri Novikov tipped back the rest of his drink. "Azarya is—" He gestured with an empty glass and placed it down on the table. He pushed it forwards with his fingertips, towards the bottle. "You've never been. We elect bastards to the position of kings. Our blood caste is complicated to the point of exhaustion. A shitblood, given the right positions, very well _could've_ been King back in the mother kingdom. My King _revels_ in the outrage of you calling him a Shitblood. It's not an offensive term anymore. Not to us, anyways." Leon's frustration was apparent, but his lack of knowledge was at the very least a deterrent for any anger on his part.

"You have to understand exactly _how_ difficult cutting Brandon out of the deal is going to be. He's the only reason we're allowed to be here. You could put it down in writing but then, of course, Leon Welles just signed a deal with the Shitblood King, allowing him into Araedian shores. Of course, we don't think that's going to happen. We think you'll sign a contract, then go to your Queen and kick us out. We love Araedians in the Isles, we _really_ do, but just as the blood caste doesn't hold us back, we've never considered the concepts of _honor_ or _integrity_ to dictate your thinking. So if you want to make a deal, we can make a deal. But we do need something from you. Something that will prove that if we decide to make a deal, you won't prove to be an issue later down the line. We just wouldn't want to give you the impression that you could weasel your way out of it."
Douglas
Provincial Leon Welles
Meros Library, Erba.

There was a bit of a thrill that Dimitri liked the liquor so much, "In a way. One of my tenants makes it. He's on a vineyard that hasn't run properly for years. Upcoming project." As much as he did want to hate Dimitri, he certainly tapped into what made Leon tick. Despite the fact that he wanted to kick him out, he found himself pouring the man another glass.

It was true, Leon knew very little of other Kindgom's affairs outside what he needed to know to bring in trade through Bentwater. He made no response when it was obvious that his insults weren't going to lead him where he wanted to go. He huffed at his redirection when he said shitblood wasn't an offensive term, "I'll find one. Don't you worry." 

Leon shook his head when he said it would be difficult to cut Brandon out, "I don't care. I find it difficult to sit here calmly while there's a party happening under my roof with an enemy of my Kingdom. You'll mange it. I have no doubt." Leon smirked, "You underestimate my Queen. I sign that paper, and go running to her... I lose my fuckin' head for treason regardless of the circumstances. I sign a contract with the enemy of my Queen, and I'm a dead man walking. I will not speak ill of her, but patience and understanding are not what she is known for."
Erik
Head Advisor Dimitri Novikov
Meros Library, Erba

"And so what, Leon?" Dimitri relaxed, throwing one leg over the other, sipping the brandy. "No one _expects_ you to sit here calmly. What, you don't think Brandon expects you to rush out at any moment, stomping your feet, kicking me out of your library? He _knows_ you. He knows you won't sign any contract, leaving yourself as an unviable partner. He's taking advantage of your trepidation, and _that's_ what's frustrating to you." 

He was beginning to feel the brandy. "If you want to cut him out of the deal, then _you_ need to cut him out of the deal. He had you confined to an office while he invited a king to dinner. Either you start making long term plans with us, or you can get used to painting, or writing, or playing the lute. Because you'll be in that office for a while. _I_ have a plan, if you'd be willing to discuss it."
Douglas
Provincial Leon Welles
Meros Library, Erba.

Leon laughed, a loud full belly laugh that seemingly rattled the windows from his scratchy voice. "You don't think I'll tell him? I'll tell him to his face in front of the entire *Fleet* You saw fit to bring to my house! In fact, that's now a part of whatever deal we make. I get to tell him he's out while the rest of you watch!" Obviously, Leon was feeling the brandy mixing in with the probable gallon of wine he'd consumed before they arrived. 

He finished off the brandy in his glass then slammed it against the table. "I sat idle when I thought he simply missed the comforts of home after playing pirate for five years, but now what he has had a hand in orchestrating this... Playing the lute in that office will simply not satisfy me while he parades around thinking he's pulled one over on me." He was growing angrier by the second. "You cannot convince me you didn't seek him out for this. You found the perfect idiot docked on your shores, and look what's come of it." He narrowed his eyes, "If you have a plan, speak it now before I come to my senses."
Erik
Head Advisor Dimitri Novikov
Meros Library, Erba.

"Wrong!" Dimitri shouted, polishing off his glass. He shot up from his seat, finger pointed across the table and a wide grin on his face. "Brandon Welles found _US!_ Seeked _US_ out so that he could give away the home you so lovingly cared for." He hadn't expected to react in this way, but it felt _good_ to get Leon riled up. "He _knows_ it would get under your skin. You cant zhink he doesn't know that, please Leon. We had no interest in your lovely home before your son handed us the invitation. So _help_ me, Leon. I know Bradai Maith, and if you can prove to him that you'd be a better partner, he'll string your son up as soon as you give the word." 

He sat back down in his chair, leaning forwards and refilling his glass, "You didn't hear this from me, but we're struggling. This Erba job is a cry for help. The Pirate King is looking for anything to make sure this isn't a bust. He doesn't need to be involved, but _you_ do. And if I'm wrong, you can tell me, but I—" He held up the bottle by the neck and shook the contents, "I think the _brandy_ is the way to go. We could call it 'welles'." The Advisor gave a wily smile, gemstones shining in the candlelight. "We build this business together, you can leverage enough money to wrestle Erba from Brandon's grasp. Regain your rightful home. And this Trading Company..." He gave a soft laugh, "It could make Leon Welles an international name. Someone that the Queen wouldn't _fuck_ with, let alone your wharfrat son. We'd love to see you tell him off when we finally get this thing off the ground."
Douglas
Provincial Leon Welles
Meros Library, Erba.

"Of course I know that! I raised the fuckin' idiot!" Leon was indeed riled up, and part of him still didn't believe Brandon was capable of that sort of plotting. It took courage to go straight up to The Pirate King and make a deal, especially for a spoiled brat from Araedia. Leon took a moment before his anger boiled over, and he stormed down the hall to make good of his threat to Brandon earlier. He pursed his lips tightly together, foot tapping against the floor as he thought deeply while Dimitri seemed to enjoy telling him that this whole thing was his son's idea. He couldn't let him win, and if his son was capable of dealing with the Islanders.. Leon felt like he could make a better deal.

He looked up at Dimitri when he sat back down, he glared over at him as he refilled his glass. He listened to how they were struggling, how he had an opportunity to not only take his son's place in the operation, but exceed him. Queen Juliana had no love for him, and frankly he couldn't stand her either. He just wasn't about to let foreigners talk poorly of her, if they had nothing for him. The thought of his brandy taking off, liberating him from the Queen's grasp, and showing Brandon how it's done held a certain appeal that was just too good to pass up. 

Leon scratched his chin slightly as he relaxed back into the seat... He nodded, "You like my brandy that much, eh?" His eyes relaxed from their narrow glare and a small smile formed at the corner of his mouth, "Since you're struggling... I'd like to help us both. That's a plan I can agree to."