Velius Hits On A Woman<br/><br/>Striking out with his loyal-for-now fang of bodyguards, Velius sets about his slow seduction.  The first step of which is, of course, to learn all one can about one's intended victim.  Not trusting in his own ability to follow her unseen, he instead begins to frequent more noble bars and establishments, making small talk about the Councilors, dropping mention of his newly hired bodyguards to steer conversations toward the Dawn Sergeant, all while making the gossip think they initiated that line of thought so they would think nothing of it later.<br/><br/>Your- admittedly small- network of spies spreads out in the bars, guiding conversation like a gentle hand guides an ox, your words ferreting out information without any thinking of it. One woman reports a man, a former mercenary who worked under her, talking of her love for the city. A rather bitter writer, apparently someone who had a bad run-in with her while writing an autobiography, makes it clear that that what she's most interested in is glory. Both seem to be rather connected- She cares about both, but the thing that motivates her the most is finding glory as the defender of Nexus. And of course, after they're finished speaking, they don't give their words a second thought...<br/><br/>It is, admittedly, not surprising to Velius.  And at the same time it does not tell him as much as he would like.  Still, she has love for the city.  He can only suspect, then, that she must spend some of her time in and around the parks of the city.  That is where he turns his attention next, making himself seen there with his entourage, hoping to run into Pellicia by 'happenstance'.<br/><br/>As it happens, while moving through one of the parks that afternoon, you do notice her, quietly studying the park, looking through the ground, as if inspecting something, though you couldn't be sure what from the first sight of her. She is... not a gorgeous woman, not even an unusual woman, but she is a woman, and that is, thankfully, sufficient.<br/><br/>You recall, also, the way the men spoke of her. As a person of great personal determination, willing to do what needs to be done, one full of pride and bravado... Sometimes rather too much, as her reputation among the common man can suffer.<br/><br/>He motions for his guards to remain a pace or two back, walking near to her with a casual ease.  "It's amazing, isn't it."  Kneeling, he reaches out and runs his fingertips along the blades of grass, letting the tips of the blades tickle his palm.  "Such a simple thing as grass, found nearly anywhere in Creation.  Yet when people gather around it, tend to it, care for it, it becomes something more... something almost sacred."<br/><br/>She looks towards you. 'Hmm. You sound almost like a monk.' she says, rather bitingly, a little sarcastic as she studies the plants. 'It's grass, nothing more.' she says, eyes on the walls of the city. No romantic, this one.<br/><br/>"It may be grass, but it's part of a city.  That makes it something more."<br/><br/>She softly pauses. " True. I hadn't thought of it that way." She looks down again, studying it. " So, what brings you here? Some favor? Perhaps looking for a discount on your shop's defense?" she asks, voice weary.<br/><br/>He chuckles softly, not yet looking toward Pellicia but keeping his gaze across the grass, across the park.  "The park may be part of Nexus, but I do not think it has the mind or ability to favor people who do business in the city."<br/><br/>She laughs. 'Please. If you've come to insist how I absolutely must take more guards off the streets to defend your warehouses, how the walls of Nexus are nowhere near as poorly defended as your fat purse, I'd rather you come out and say it so I can laugh in your face than have to listen to philosophy.' she says, straightforwardly... Though, despite the acidic wit, it's not entirely a cruel statement, as she sits back on one of the benches.<br/><br/>He turns to her now, smiling.  "I hate to disappoint, but I'm quite happy with my mercenaries from the Hooded Executioners."  He motions casually toward his fang of bodyguards.  "I take it you have some control over the defenses of the city?"<br/><br/>She raises an eyebrow. 'You've got a fang of mercenaries from the Hooded Executioners- A fine choice, I must admit- and yet, you don't know who I am? What turnip cart did you fall off of?' she asks, looking at you, an eyebrow raised. Clearly, she doesn't expect anybody not to know her.<br/><br/>He chuckles again, softly.  Hypnotically, almost.  "I am afraid I am new to the city.  I'm not yet familiar with who needs to be avoided and who needs to be sucked up to."  He grins a bit.  "I do enjoy the parks, though.  Nexus is an amazing but chaotic city, and the parks are a welcome place of quiet and reflection."<br/><br/>She nods softly. 'Barely anyone comes here. Not much profit in it. That's the only thing that gets anything done in this city... Profit.' She looks towards you. 'So, tell me, then, what profit do you seek to gain?' she asks, head tilted.<br/><br/>"If you mean in Nexus, I must admit I am not more than an ordinary merchant.  If you mean in the park, well..."  He looks across the field again, and smiles back at Pellicia.  "This is all the profit I need."<br/><br/>She raises an eyebrow. 'Sir, are you flirting with me?' she asks, rather incredulously. Indeed, it seems unlikely many men have ever been interested in her for anything close to 'purely physical' reasons.<br/><br/>His smile briefly becomes a grin, before he turns back toward the park.  "I would be lying if I said you were not attractive... And someone who can appreciate a city park for its own sake is a rare individual..."<br/><br/>She slowly sighs. 'I'd love to believe that you were interested in me for something beyond my influence in the Council. You will understand if I don't.' It seems it may be difficult to sway her heart, as you have others...<br/><br/>"You are on the Council?"  He blinks and looks at her, feigning a certain amount of surprise.  "No wonder you expected fawning.."  He suddenly chuckles again.  "I must sound downright foolish to you..."<br/><br/>She sighs. 'Not nearly as foolish as most of the men who come to me, begging for favors, as though they expect a few love poems will suddenly sway my heart.' she says, demeanor staying almost glacial.<br/><br/>"I could try to write a few love poems for you, but I think it would only sway your heart to comedy."<br/><br/>She smiles, warming slightly. 'That might work better than the sappy sort. I could use a good laugh these days... Times are tough all around, as I'm sure you know.'<br/><br/>"That may be, but hard times are when those meant for greatness can rise to the occasion."<br/><br/>She looks towards you. 'Oh really? You sound like a man I know...' she says, and sighs, relaxing against the bench. 'What is your name, then? I am Pellecia, the Dawn Sergeant of the Council of Entities.'<br/><br/>He smiles and moves a step closer to where she sits on the bench.  "It is a pleasure to meet you, Pellicia.  My name is Wiegraf."  He holds a hand out to her.<br/><br/>She holds out her hand. 'Wiegraf? Hmmmm... What sort of name is that? I've never heard one like it before.' she says, mildly more interested as she shakes, giving a firm pump- She is, unquestionably, quite strong.<br/><br/>He shakes her hand, grinning weakly and giving off a light chuckle.  "I would kiss your hand, but I fear you might break it off..."  His grin fades.  "It is a name I gave myself, since my parents.. did not live to give me one."<br/><br/>She raises an eyebrow. 'An orphan? I am sorry. It seems there are more these days.' she says softly, bowing her head to you politely. 'If it is not an impolite question... How did they die?' she asks softly.<br/><br/>"Bandits, on the road of one of the more lawless parts of Creation..."  He looks away briefly, and sighs.  "I have tried to find more order and security since then, and I hope now that I am in Nexus..."  He doesn't finish the thought, but the implication is clear: that he sought out Nexus because of the police force that Pellicia is responsible for.<br/><br/>She nods. 'Well, order and security are perhaps not in the greatest supply here. For that, you might have been better off in the Realm... but even that seems questionable now. These are dark days.' She does seem mildly appreciative, however, of the thought behind your words.<br/><br/>"In the Realm there is no security except for the Terrestrials.  Here, at least, mercenaries are freely available..."  He glances toward his bodyguards, then turns back to Pellicia with a bit of a smile.  "Might I suppose I have you to thank for that?"<br/><br/>" In a manner of speaking." she says. " Mainly... This is where there's the most trade. I just make sure we have some forces to ensure that what passes for law and order get kept a hold of."<br/><br/>"I see..."  He keeps his faint smile, however.  "I am sure the city will be able to rely upon you, should the troubles of the world try to approach."<br/><br/>She smirks. 'Let's face it. Nexus isn't on anyone's hitlist. Everyone's either consolidating, or focused in entirely different directions. The Council of Entities is even thinking of cutting the number of mercenary contracts we have on immediate tap.'<br/><br/>"That seems odd... Do they not think what happened to Lookshy could happen here?"<br/><br/>She shrugs. 'They've been in contact with Mask of Winter. He's consolidating his power there. Keep in mind, nobody liked Thorns enough to come to it's aid... They feel sure that if Mask of Winter, or anyone else, marches on Nexus, it will have ample warning.'<br/>"I hope so..."  He tries to brighten his smile.  "I think I hope more that we might sometime share a walk."<br/><br/>She softly blushes, as you say this... 'Yes... That sounds like it could be agreeable.' she says, and smiles. 'Tell me, do you know where my residences are in the main district?'<br/><br/>"I am afraid I do not."<br/><br/>She nods. 'Ask anyone, they will be able to show you... Meet me tomorrow for lunch.' She softly smiles. 'It is refreshing to meet someone who can... be interested in me for something other than power.'<br/><br/>"It will be my pleasure."  He smiles and bows politely.  "Until tomorrow."  He then departs with his entourage, calling that a smashing success.<br/><br/>Rewards: 8 XP, Contacts 1 (Nexus)