Of Thieves and Tails - Part 2 - RPLOG

From Rusted Promises
Jump to: navigation, search

Participants

Date

1/7/478

Log



As Zuri wakes from his black-out, he finds himself on a rather large and comfortable bed, with two feline guards posted by the side of the door. Each of them wearing light leather armor, enchanted with various spells on the outside and, presumably, on the inside, the two simply wait for Zuri to emerge from the room, before gesturing for him to move along to the halls and towards the dining-room, where the table has been set quite exuberantly. Two beings are already seated, the feline from the other day at the head of the table, with a black-furred panther seated close by.

Zuri rubs his head and tries to shake away the momentary confusion as he wakes. The salamander eyes the guards reservedly, giving them a disarming smile as they gesture for him to go along. He paces cautiously, taking in his surroundings, and audibly gasps as he reaches the large dining room and spots the other two beings. He stays there for a moment, his tail flitting from side to side anxiously. The salamander's eyes dart to all corners of the room - looking for an exit, like any dubious sort that finds himself cornered. He offers the others a weak smile. "Hello! Um... " He scratches his head, seeming lost for words.

The male panther watches the little salamander with golden eyes. "He does not look like much," he rumbles, "Are you sure?" He is dressed in muted finery, a dark, formal suit with a silver cravat with a pin shaped like a red hand in it.

"He has... Potential," the she-cat rumbles with a smile, a flick of her ears and a sway of her tail. "If my suspicions are correct, The Lady will be pleased," she continues, before watching the salamander. "You've been out all afternoon, do join us for dinner," the female rumbles with a smile, obscurecd behind her black mask as she watches the other being. "Standard procedure. Your weapons will be returned to you once our business is complete," she notes, before gesturing at the black panther. "Allow me to introduce. Lord Sylvio... Longtail."

Zuri fidgets nervously as he watches the two and they speak in turn. When the panther is introduced, however, he gasps and straightens up, an almost instinctive action when faced with a noble. "Oh, uh... dinner, sure! I am hungry, after all.." He paces around the table, keeping his eyes on the feline that brought him here, and slides onto one of the chairs that have been set around the opulent dinner table. "I uhm.. " He rubs his head. "Is this still about the pastry, miss? I can't imagine that sort of business would have to involve or.. or worry Lord Longtail in any way."

Sylvio nods at Zuri. "I have heard you are in the market for some. . . adventure. I believe that I can provide you with an appropriate challenge. Something rather more interesting than a pastry" He waves a hand adorned with a simple, silver ring summoning two servants from unseen alcoves who bring dishes of roasted meats and spiced vegetables to the table. "Please, help yourself, Zuri."

"You -were- saying you wanted a final project, did you not, mister Zuri?" the female feline notes, neither of the two offering any explanation as to how or why they know his name, and neither showing any inclination towards wanting to explain it, either. She herself takes a bite from her food as well, making sure the mask is tilted forward just enough to expose her lips, but no more.

Zuri looks between the two beings and the food on display. Fearful that the food may have been tampered with he shies away from actually having a bite, and instead nods at the feline's words. "Y-yes 'mam. I uh.. hm.." He looks between her and Sylvio. ".. I would like one last run. I know I've promised some other beings that.. that I would stay away from this sort of business but.." He looks at Sylvio. "A challenge would be exactly the kind of thing I would want, your Grace. Something worthy of being called my last job."

Sylvio carefully serves up a dish of some of the finest cuts and choicest bits from the trays of food and takes a small bite of each before setting it before Zuri. "Nothing to be ashamed of, boy," the panther says, "Besides, it is hardly thievery to take from those who have more than they could possibly need. If they weren't so tied up in their wealth, I am sure they would never know a bauble or two was missing anyway." This long a speech seems to be rather taxing on the panther. He does not seem one for mincing words. He waves idly toward his partner. "You explain," he says, as if weary.

A smile, a soft rumble, and a flick of the tail. "As Lord Longtail is saying... We have a job for you. In a week, a gala will be hosted where a being with more wealth than wits will be displaying a series of precious gems. These gems will only be on display for a single evening, before they return to the being's vaults, which are, by all accounts, impenetrable."

"In addition, your mark is carrying a particularly valuable necklace, which we would like to obtain as well," the cat notes, before watching Zuri as she offer him this nigh-impossible task.

Zuri peers down at the food. Now that it has been tasted by the noble he actually takes one and eats it, realizing exactly how hungry he's feeling. He really must have been out for half the day.. He listens to the plan as it is explained, his heart racing as his sneaky little mind starts to piece together the mental image of the festivity. "Gems, from a vault, in plain view of everyone, and a necklace, around someone's neck, who's probably the host or one of the host's friends.." He bites his lip, then giggles. "Now that's a challenge, I like the sound of it. My usual methods involve not being seen or heard, however.." He glances down and takes another cut of meat before continuing. "That could be tricky to accomplish in a room full of beings that will no doubt be chatting to this host, and marvelling at these gems."

A smile, a soft rumble, and a flick of the ears. "Now, mister Zuri... Do you understand why I asked if you had any kitsune in your veins?" the she-cat questions, before taking another bite from her food, a flick of her ears. "Remember. You have a week to plan things... There is only one chance, and, suffices to say, failure is not an option... You've seen my marksmanship before. Suffices to say, the family does not appreciate... Loose ends."

Zuri blinks. That threat was the opposite of veiled, and the small salamander gulps as he considers the words. "B-but, I'm not sure I could.. could um.. do the whole Kitsune thing. I.. it's not really my style." He looks between the two beings. "I wouldn't know where to begin. I'm good at sneaking my way into places, not.." He wanted to say 'lying my way into places', but instead goes with something softer. ".. not bluffing my way past everyone like that."

Sylvio waves a hand. "Being a Kitsune is hardly necessary," he says, "And behave yourself." The last is directed at Katrina. "It does not do to threaten a guest, remember?" He turns his golden gaze on Zuri. "Do as you wish," he says, "There will, of course, be other agents in attendance. If you want help, all you need to do is ask. Discreetly."

"Of course... And it was hardly a threat, my lord. I am sure Mister Zuri will do just fine, hmm?" the cat offers to the salamander, before shooting a short glance towards Sylvio, her tail twitching lightly before she takes another bite from her food, tail swaying lazily behind her as she watches the transaction between the Longtail and the salamander.

Zuri actually smiles at Sylvio as he speaks, but quickly recomposes himself as he remembers the tone of this situation. "Hrm..." He picks at another cut of the delicious meat as he ponders, tail twitching, betraying his reserved excitement at the opportunity he's being given. He nibbles on his lip. One final question.. "Which uh.. which noble house do these gems belong to? You know, so I can do my homework on what to expect of them, security-wise."

"Less noble, more wealthy," Silvio says, dabbing at his lips with a napkin, though he does not seem to have touched his plate. "You may or may not have heard of the Silkenfurs? Natasha will be showing off her jewels," he rumbles, "Though, they once belonged to the Longtail family. Is there anything else you require, Mister Pondleaf?"

Zuri blinks as his family name is spoken aloud by the noble. Did he introduce himself with his full name? He doesn't usually do that.. a small shiver jolts it's way up the salamander's spine. "N-no, your Grace. I uh... I believe I know everything I need to know. Silkenfurs." He repeats the name. "I.." He pauses, looking between the two. "I accept your offer. It's a worthy challenge. And.." He looks at Katrina. "I'll consider your words, even if I have my uh.. reservations about the Kitsune."

"Good," Sylvio says, sliding a small card with gilt edges toward the little salamander. "Here is your invitation," he purrs, "I look forward to seeing great things from you, Zuri."

Zuri collects the invitation as it is offered, running his finger along the edge of the card before stashing it in his jacket's breast pocket. He nods at the Longtail noble. "I hope to live up to your expectations, Lord Longtail." He looks at Katrina. "A-and to yours, as well."

Sylvio sits back in his chair and looks at Zuri with half lidded eyes, and holds out a lazy hand to Katrina. "Don't be so standoffish, dear," he says, "I'm sure that our new friend will work all the wonders we could hope for."

Zuri smiles again, and helps himself to a few more cuts of meat as he observes the two other beings. His tail flits excitedly, the small salamander already envisaging the event and how it would ideally play out. He's going to have to learn more about the Silkenfurs, enough that he could pass for.. whomever it would be that would receive an invitation to this place. Maybe he really needs to investigate this Kitsune thing. He really should have listened to Captain Bellamy as he explained all the things they can do...

"For now, Mister Zuri, once you are done eating, you may feel free to head towards the bedroom once more. Tomorrow-morning, you will wake in a safe location, weapons by your side, and your invitation present. If we require to provide you with further information, you will be notified," the she-cat notes, tail flicking lightly.

Sylvio stands, giving a languid stretch. "I suppose I should retire before the drugs in the food overwhelm me entirely," he says and holds out his arm, "My lady?"

Zuri peers at Katrina. "I'm staying the night? I don't think that's a very good..." He blinks, wavering slightly as his mind begins to feel quite heavy. "I uh.... I should get back to.. to... " He rubs his head. Something doesn't feel right. He looks at Lord Longtail as he speaks, his eyes widening. "Drugs?" The salamander hadn't seen the Lord eat any more food after his first few bites. Does that mean that... He staggers again, slowly losing consciousness, descending onto the table and leaning his head up on it as the drugs take full effect and put the small salamander to sleep.

Katrina smiles and stands up as well, taking Sylvio's hands, before gesturing to the guards to take care of Zuri's exit. Her tail swaying lightly, she guides the Lord off the premises and towards his own accomodations, before returning to her own business.