audio | username: raven master

[pulvisetumbra]

( Moaning, laughter, lewd innuendo — the fixtures of the House of Dew's channels. Until, a steeled voice cuts way: )

Tamaiu, if you please. Impress on your ladies the virtue of silence for the next hour.

( All too suddenly, betraying how often the mistress of the house listens in, the cacophony of sound dispels. He continues: )

Good afternoon. You’ve made rather a mess of things, haven’t you?

I made my first fortune in Sa-Hareth. Inevitably, through sales of salt. Now, this was before, when death was still a reliable constant, and trade margin weren’t unhelpfully eroded by the competition’s ability to deploy dead contingents that require no rest, no feeding, and minimal attendance while they operate the production line. I assure you, immortality is infertile ground for business.

( A moment, for amateurs to appreciate this economic downturn. )

At this time, I volunteer no name. You do not require it. Allocate me one as you please. I am a merchant, by trade. I am accustomed to a degree of discretion. But I have no guarantee that you would offer me the same courtesy in the event of your capture, and the ambitions of this enterprise frankly surpass you. It is of utmost importance that I survive.

It is of secondary relevance that you do the same. But my collaborators and I have allocated a not insubstantial volume of coin, sweat, blood and personal sacrifice to progress your escape and survival. The hope, the gain, and the only purpose of this operation is to remove you from Akhuras and direct you to pastures new. Any alternative allows for Unhalad, his siblings and their masters to utilise you in a war that has devastated our world.

( Another pause, measured. He is accustomed to the protocols of rhetoric. )

To be clear. You are not so naïve to assume our first efforts didn’t study the merits of your murder. We tested this on a batch. Regrettably, our enemies proved sufficiently apt to resurrect their captives and use them after.

We will therefore proceed with extraction. Some of the standing eastern portals still offer the possibility of transfer to other worlds. Although… most have not been tested in generations, and we may need to deepen our voyage east, if and when the beacons cannot accommodate us. The safety of portal transportation to your persons is candidly immaterial to us and remains your concern.

( Be that as it may. Another moment's hesitance: )

My part in this endeavour is to secure information on the portals and their location, along with facilitating transit, on occasion. You will contribute with coin, with labour, with discipline. Begin by assisting Haltham and Karsa as much as possible.

Now. If you attracted Unhalad’s attention, it is not unfair to assume you were all previously situated in a position of power. You are used to being heard, perhaps also heeded. Some of you may have commanded every room you stepped in.

Except for this one. I am master here. You are merchandise. I have no interest in hearing objections of stupidity, vulgarity or sentiment. Any other questions, proposals or comments may be submitted in an orderly manner.

( And perfectly civil once more: ) Tamaiu, if you please again. My thanks and regards to your ladies.

Comments

[downswing]

Addressing discipline.



( Translation: righting Wei Ying's many wrongs. )

[jeoha]

[ It's too bad the concept of 'dominatrix' is not one that Lee Chang is familiar with. ]

Did something happen?

[ He's assuming that's a round-about 'yes', at least. ]

[downswing]

Apologies. A domestic matter.

[jeoha]

Understood. When you have a moment - find me.

[downswing]

You require exertion?

[jeoha]

Wisdom. Insight.

Knowledge where I have none.

[downswing]

In what matter?

[jeoha]

My world -

My world seems different than the ones you all speak of. Things I would call magic or miracles seem to be common place among you.

This world is no different - it has magic I would not have begun to dream of, when I was home. Even these crystals we speak through--

You spoke of possession. My knowledge extends only to the infected - to the deathless - but if they truly feed on souls, then I am lacking a great deal of information, and such a lack can kill.

[downswing]

Agreed. I walk the grounds at sunrise.


( When the cold is wretched. )

[jeoha]

[ After a frozen lake, once he's wrapped up in far too many prostitute's silks, he'll be snug as a bug. ]

Then I shall find you there.

[downswing]

Agreed.

[weifinder]

Objections are being heard in certain money-earning endeavours. Anyway—actual king? Fascinating! Haven't met anyone from that kind of structure, very, ah, outside our region kind of stuff.

[jeoha]

And here I was told that you were the master of coin, between you. [ Is he teasing? Yes. ]

[ He pauses at the question, and then tightly says: ]

No.

[ For a moment it sounds like he's going to explain more than that, but he doesn't. ]

[weifinder]

( So: once, close enough, but not to good end. Or he's being mocked, and the patriarch can understand that, too. )

Master of coin, artist at large, from subjects of approval and otherwise!

[jeoha]

Ah. Am I to take it that Master Lan was a subject that would be labeled 'otherwise'?

Have you made decent coin with your paintings?

[weifinder]

Projected is decent, made will be once the auctions run! As far as your guess, yes, let's just say it's not the skillset anyone would have come to me for before. Generally speaking.

[jeoha]

And yet you must be at least somewhat learned in it.

[ A pause. ]

Who have you done portraits of, so far?

[weifinder]

Hobbies are hobbies, and I manage likenesses well enough, yes. If you end up having one in mind for the sake of memories, and can describe a person clearly, I can even manage that kind of painting, I'd think.

( An answering pause, and a lightened laugh that's hinting at a degree of awkwardness he's trying, and near succeeding, to forget. )

Fellow summoned Beitang Moran, Su Xunxian, and dear Prismal Winnifred, as of now.

[jeoha]

I would still consider that impressive.

[ There's a small smile in his voice, and a pause. ]

I am surprised that Bai Mingyu is not of that number. I would have thought that would command a decent price.

[weifinder]

He's free to offer if he'd like!

( Said cheerily as if he actually wants to like. Ask people. (He didn't.) )

Most were, ah, fortuitous... ly encountered moments.

[jeoha]

Ah, I see. [ He sounded amused. Then, casually: ]

Perhaps when we can be more at leisure I could request it of you both.

[weifinder]

Hah, once we find that leisure, why not?