Secret Spyglass - RPLOG
Participants
Date
2/4/480
Log
It's early in the afternoon, and there is a curious sight at the Spyguard Enclave today. A non-spyguard being seems to have wandered in, completely unaccompanied, barring her usual golem carrying materials and drafts of some sort.
It seems she knows exactly where she wants to go, despite the insistence of the poor low-ranked spyguard trying to tell her that, A) Sirus is probably far too busy to deal with unannounced visitors, B) that if she'd just wait right here, he can fetch someone else instead, and that C) Frankly, she shouldn't even know how to get into this place.
The poor, low ranking being in the traditional, but certainly not official spyguard coat, hardly slows the highlady as she barrels through the hidden door by the tap barrels and into. . . a storage room. Barrels of food and drink are stacked high and racks of tools and barracks weapons line the walls. Seated in the middle of the space, on a non-descript crate is a black fox in fine, black clothes.
"Highlady Longtail," he says cordially, "How can I help you? Civilians are not usually allowed back here."
"Flora has things to discuss, yes. Tried to make an appointment earlier this week, but the being who was supposed to handle that never responded, yes," the she-cat offers with a smile on her lips, a small shake of the head. "Mister spyguard can leave now, yes," the she-cat offers to the spyguard-in-training, smiling lightly as she rests herself on Bastet's back.
Soon enough, she's rummaging through her bag, pulling out a small, compact spyglass. "Flora has made some progress with light... Flora was figuring the spyguard might be interested in an... Upgrade to their equipment, yes."
The trainee looks around at the storage room with great confusion, then looks to the fox for instructions. Sirus only nods an affirmative, allowing him to abscond. "I am told, Highlady," he says in a fluid voice, "That patience is a virtue. Perhaps you would prefer to discuss your business somewhere other than this closet?" The dust and cobwebs give the impression of having been here quite a long time.
"Flora doesn't mind much either way, yes. Though it is an... Interesting change, yes. Wasn't a closet last time Flora was here," the she-cat offers with a small smile on her lips, as she prepares to steer Bastet out once more, a small smile on her lips. "Flora figured mister Sirus would enjoy being one of the first to see the new and improved spyglasses, yes."
"I can assure you, Highlady," Sirus says, "That every time you come here, you will find nothing but a storage closet. And you will never, ever find me here again." The fox hops lightly down from his improvised seat. "Your sense of direction is remarkable. Something I really ought to have taken note of before." He makes his way up the stairs and ushers Flora out, following close after her. "Now, let us see your spyglass."
Flora smiles and rumbles softly, as she pulls out the small spyglass. "This is still a prototype, yes. Flora has some ideas to make it work better at multiple differences. This one works best for the distance between Longtail Manor and the academy, yes," she offers, as she hands the object over.
Sirus accepts the spyglass and leads the way toward a staircase, leading up toward the barracks walls, where they will have an uninterrupted view of the city. "I appreciate your interest in making these sort of advancements," he says as he climbs, "But I do not see why you think I would have any interest in it. Are you offering to provide them as a service to the Crown?"
"Like with the camera. A contract to provide and maintain them readily for the spyguard. Unlike the Camera, however, their sale will likely be limited to the Sweetwater military. The Spyguard, the navy, and the scouting regiments of the army."
"Compare with a regular spyglass," she offers, pulling out a second, standard-issue spyglass. "The regular glass offers a hazy image, yes? Besides, this is still a prototype, yes. Flora could make them magnify more, to see further away, for example. A spyglass to really fit the needs of the Spyguard."
"I fear I cannot speak for the spyguard, Highlady," Sirus says as they take up position at the top of the wall and he holds up each glass, first one, then the other. "I can certainly see the benefits of your glass," he says, "but how does it stand up against the Underhill and Underhill model? Or the latest out of Shralesta? I hear that they have been working wonders with glass."
"Perhaps a test, then?" the she-cat offers with a smile, a small flick. "After all, Sweetwater is hosting an event soon, yes?" she offers with a smile on her lips, a flick of her tails. "Flora would certainly hope the other nations send their representatives."
"Although, Flora would be surprised if the Underhill would provide anyone but their own military with their best gear, yes."
"Hmm," Sirus hums, noncommitally, "Perhaps so. I admit that I have little interest in spyglasses. What we have is sufficient. I imagine that you would be better served approaching the scouting regiments of the militia than me. I understand that most of the spyguard provide their own gear. They seem to prefer it that way."
"But will they be sufficient in a year's time? Do the beings involved think the same way?"
"Of course, Flora will be speaking with the army and the navy, too," the she-cat offers with a small smile, a flick of her ears. "Besides. Flora isn't suggesting to throw out old stock. Simply to replace over time, yes?" she offers, smile still on her lips as she leans on her golem. "Flora has some other improvements in mind for these, to make them work better at different ranges, but Flora will get to that. At the demonstration, yes."
Sirus passes Flora's glass back to her. "I have no complaints about your product, Highlady," he says, "But I am loathe to do business with House Longtail. I think you can understand my position?" The fox turns sharp, blue eyes in Flora's direction. "Your inability to follow proper channels to contact me are even less appealing than the tarnished reputation of your house."
The fox sighs and rubs a hand over his eyes. "Forgive me," he says, "I spoke out of turn. I fear that I have received some resistance to some of our past agreements and you caught me off-guard today. And I dislike being caught off guard. Let us start again? May I offer you some refreshments?"
A browraise, a flick of the tail. "The 'tarnished reputation' of House Longtail has not been an issue in the past. Nor has Flora's... Directness. And if Flora doesn't get a response in two weeks, even after repeated messages through what is supposed to be a secure channel with the alias given to Flora, that means something is wrong. The message isn't being passed through, or there is no-one reading the message."
"Resistance?" she finally ventures, completely ignoring the offer of a drink.
The fox looks out over the city, clasping his hands behind his back. "You must understand," he says, "I do not operate in a vacuum. There are people watch me and my organization very, very closely. Some of them are. . . unhappy that we have purchased your camera and tied ourselves to House Longtail. It has required me to work. . . carefully for a while." Sirus raises an eyebrow and looks over at Flora. "Your spyglasses are impressive," he admits, "However, I must consider other options. I am sorry about the delay, and that you have received no contact. I fear that new equipment is the least of my concerns currently."
"A test, then?" Flora proposes again, a small smile on her lips, a flick of her ears. "Irrefutable proof that, whichever spyglasses are chosen, they are the best available. No politics. A simple, fair challenge of mister Sirus's own choice. Flora is confident in the work done by LongTech, and Flora will accept whatever outcome comes out of it, yes."
"Who, then? As far as Flora is aware, the spyguard report directly to the King, yes? Is mister Sirus saying the King does not wish to see Flora bring House Longtail back? It can't be miss High Lady Solacious, either, no," the she-cat adds, scratching at the back of her head.
"I have already said more than I probably should have," Sirus says, "Put it out of your mind."
The fox turns and leads the way back down toward ground level in the strangely silent barracks. "I think a contest sounds like an excellent idea. I imagine that LongTech will be preparing this contest during your faire?"
Flora raises her brow as she watches Sirus, her tails twitching behind her. "Flora feels that if the Crown does not trust Flora enough, Flora should probably be informed."
"Flora has no intention of starting a revolution, other than maybe one in terms of technology and knowledge, but Flora would like to know that Flora isn't just considered a pawn of sorts," the she-cat notes, actually looking a tad annoyed, for the first time since the start of the conversation.
"Besides that, Flora would assume it better that the Spyguard or a third party organize the contest during the fair, with the joint fair-fund from Sweetwater providing whatever materials necessary. Flora could always compensate it later. After all, if Longtech were hosting the contest, mister Sirus's... Watcher would just claim Flora stacked the odds somehow, yes?"
"The Spyguard does not exist, Highlady," Sirus says with a wink, "But I think that something can be arranged. As far as your standing with the crown? I am sure I cannot say. All I can tell you is that you have proven to be. . . surprising." The fox has led Flora back out to the front of the mess hall. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Highlady?"
"A front, then. Flora would assume the Spyguard have several, yes? Or another branch of the military. Flora will leave it up to mister Sirus, yes," she concludes with a smile on her lips.
"As for other matters... Flora thinks that's the most of it, for now. Though perhaps an update on the aliases Flora should be using is in order. As last time, Flora will burn whatever letter arrives after reading, yes. Like mister Sirus said at the manor last time... Flora can find the way out, but if it'll put minds at ease, an escort is an option, yes," she offers, smiling
"I assure you, Highlady, you will not come this way again. I recommend that you do not try," Sirus says, not unkindly, "Should you need to contact me, have no fear, I have seen your missives. I ask only for your patience." The fox gives a little bow. "Until we meet again, Highlady."
