Standard Metals - Security Concerns - RPLOG
Participants
Date
15/9/479
Log
"Keep in mind the manor is also LongTech, yes. Lots of places off-limits," Flora notes, as she guides the trio of beings along towards Longtail square, and the manor prominently on display between the older buildings. She's quick to gesture for one of the guards, a friendly, if somewhat imposing-looking bear-fellow, to guide Marianne along, while escorting Lucasiel and Fenris to a smallish conference-room herself.
"Yes, I was made aware of such when you returned," Lucasiel says plainly, nodding at Marianne and sending her off with the guard. "It is why I live elsewhere. Now, what was it you wished to speak of?" She asks, following Flora into the conference room.
Of course there were lots of places off limits. Fenris has been to a number of them on the sly, but that is neither here nor there. The tiger follows along amiably. He gives the bear and Marianne a wave as they separate from the group. "What is going on?" he asks.
"Flora assumes Friend Fenris and Cousin Lucasiel know of... Eachothers' occupation, yes?" the she-cat asks, a brow raised, before she unrolls three rather large designs... A building of sorts, a set of weights, with all sorts of numbers besides the design, and... A beam. Again, with numbers, but a beam none the less.
"Flora is working on a project. If Flora can convince House Strongheart and the King, -Sweetwater- will be working on a project."
"Yes," Lucasiel says, nodding at Fenris before looking down toward Flora's plans. "And what would this project be, if I may ask? What is it that you're trying to convince the various heads of Sweetwater to work together on? And what does it have to do with the two of us."
Fenris does not bother to answer, but looks over the design with interest. "I knew you were planning something," he says, "I still can't really hazard a guess at what, though." He shrugs and looks between Lucasiel and Flora. "I confess, I don't really see how you think we can help you. Unless you are looking for musical entertainment or hiring security."
"Security, yes. This project will take months," the she-cat notes, before gesturing at the architectural sketch. "Flora is hoping for permission and assistance in building a large hall just outside the city walls... Or just inside the city-walls, after the walls are moved around it. But the building will take time, and with the family as it is... Yes," she concludes, tails flicking behind her. "Lady Solacious has offered her assistance, yes, but considering Flora knows Friend Fenris and Cousin Lucasiel... It would help ease Flora's worries, yes," the cat notes, before gesturing at the design again.
"A large hall, to host a month-long, global event in, yes. And Sweetwater needs a gift, yes. A gift for the whole of Promise," she adds, gesturing at the weights and... beam.
"I see." Lucasiel leans on the table, tail flicking behind her. "And what kind of event is this supposed to be? And a gift? Please, elaborate."
"Flora," Fenris says, "I am more than willing to volunteer my own help in keeping things safe. But I don't really have any more pull than that. What exactly are you asking from us?"
"A world fair, yes. First of its kind. Bring the best and brightest that Promise has to offer to Sweetwater. To Firmament. Establish Firmament as the center of technology and the scholarly arts, yes."
"As for the gift... There is no international measure of weight. Or length. -That- is Sweetwater's gift to the world," Flora notes. "A standard, not bound by borders, yes."
"Problem with that is... Flora is going to need a special, very expensive metal for that... Flora fully expects the family to get involved, should Flora be able to get a shipment."
"As for what Flora's asking... Personal assistance, yes. Flora expects Miss High Lady Solacious to discuss with the Spymistress, yes, but Flora would appreciate it if both Friend Fenris and Cousin Lucasiel were involved and present, yes."
Lucasiel holds up a hand, frowning. "Now, wait. That's a noble goal, but... If you need an expensive metal to be the standard, won't that prove an issue? How are people to use a standard based around something most people could not get their hands on? Surely something more common would be a better source of standard? But yes, I will be helping with security, no doubt."
"Spy. . . . Mistress. Sure," Fenris says, then looks over the drawing of the bar, "I don't even pretend to understand what you are trying to do, but I wish you luck. This sounds like one of those 'Buying and selling ideas' things to me." He looks up at Flora and shrugs. "I'm glad to help you out," he says, "But what exactly do you want us present for? To protect your shipment? Where is it coming from?"
"No, no... The standard has to be that metal. Doesn't rust, just as strong as iron, and it's heavy. Means small weights," the she-cat explains. "It has to last. This metal will last. For practical purposes, copies can be made from steel or iron or something else. Something cheap for practical use, but something stable and lasting for the standard itself. Makes sense, yes?"
"Flora is hoping Mister Creator Harkenson can provide a shipment, yes. Flora isn't sure if he's allowed to, yes, but it'd make a big difference in cost. But it is not for sale. There will be no profit. It is a gift, yes. One or more copies for each government, the major academies, and the largest churches."
"Steel, then? I see." Lucasiel rubs her chin and shrugs. "Very well. So that's that, but it leaves Fenris' question, still. What do you want from us? I certainly cannot get that metal for you."
"You certainly don't think small," Fenris says after a moment of dumb silence, "I have a lot of contacts, but Mister Harkenson is well outside my reach. You aren't recommending an envoy to the Creators, are you? Because you know that I could never turn THAT down!"
"Not steel. Something else. Steel still rusts. Just takes a while. Derivatives can be steel, but not the standard," Flora explains, shaking her head lightly.
"Flora will handle the purchase, yes. Together with the other Lords and Ladies, yes. In Sweetwater's name, with the King's permission, of course. Flora needs help with the transport... A big shipment of a rare metal, more expensive than gold? Flora imagines the family would be rather interested in that, yes."
Lucasiel folds her arms, furrowing her brow. "Well. The family will not have it," she says, shaking her head. "I've been walling them at every turn that I am able thus far. I am not like to stop now, or with matters like this. I would be fortunate if they were to play their hand with me so close. All the better a position to grab them by the wrist."
"And you think they will try to take it from a Creator ship?" Fenris asks, "Or between the ship and your safe box? You DO have some way planned for keeping this lump of money safe?" A little smile spreads across his face. "And you're sure you don't need someone to go escort the shipment from Parson's star ship?" he asks, "You know I would volunteer."
"Flora is sure the Creators can handle that, yes. Would probably not appreciate beings in space, no. Although Flora would like to see space some day. The metal is probably not quite as valuable for Creators, yes. Still valuable, but less. As for safebox. Flora would prefer seeing the shipment sent directly to the Stronghearts' smithies, or wherever Sweetwater will smelt it... The finished products should be stored separately, at the various houses, and with the King, yes... If one batch is stolen, the rest remains to be there in time for the event, yes."
"That sounds reasonable. I have plans, but I won't mention them unless you have none of your own," Lucasiel says with a shrug. "And I imagine that you do. So where do we fit into your plan, then? Just escort? Something else?"
"Then I am still at a loss for what you want me to do," Fenris says, "You have the negotiations planned, the shipment decided and the distribution of your mystery metal all figured out. AND you don't want me to hijack a Creator ship and fly to the stars. I am at a loss."
"Security, friend Fenris," Flora notes, tail twitching behind her, as she flicks her ears. "Flora is thinking splitting the shipment up, taking different routes. Any one shipment won't be worth as much. Especially with a few fakes as well, yes... Same idea as with the Thermometer. Friend Fenris may remember, yes? Flora had picked several ruins, far from one another."
"But Flora always welcomes other suggestions, yes."
"I was going to suggest fakes, yes," Lucasiel nods. "Escorted convoys that don't have anything of value, so that they can't single out which shipments are real. It would go a long way in ensuring safety."
"I remember it," Fenris says, then shrugs. "I'm happy to help. Just let me know when and where." The tiger looks around at the study. He is not invited into the manor very often. It's a bit of a sore spot sometimes.
Flora nods, and flicks her ears. "Flora was thinking Friend Fenris and Cousin Lucasiel would each be escorting their own batch, yes... Determining which batches are filled with metal, and which with, say, rocks, would be determined on the day itself. That way, everyone thinks they have the real material, and will guard it as such, yes. That includes Friend Fenris and Cousin Lucasiel, of course."
Fenris nods, bringing his attention back to Flora. "Yes," he says, "I will help. I still think it is just a shame that you couldn't think of a way to let me check out Mister Parson's ship. They have beings up there, after all! I am sure that I could fit in long enough for a little exploring!" No mention of how he planned to get to said ship, but that is Fenris for you.
Lucasiel nods at that and rubs at one of her ears. "Yes, I can do that. Just tell me when and where I need to meet up with that shipment and I'll do my best to ensure that it gets there in one piece."
