Fire and Brimstone [IC]

[Dr Archeville]

Okay, maybe the kid does have some tact and subtlety. But let's see how he reacts when pressed.

"True enough, Mr. Vulpes, but only to a point." He pauses for another sip of icewater, "It is not really bragging if you can back it up, yes? And if I do not know for whom you have worked, I have no way of knowing whether or not you are as you say. For all I know, you could be some unproven youth trying to make a break into the field of... acquisitions. Or, this could be some sort of... what is the word... 'sting' operation, you an undercover cop trying to discover something. I would need some proof of your skills and abilities before agreeing to hire you on, either in the form of a referral from a past 'employer,' or..."

He pauses for another sip of icewater. That's it, dangle him just a bit....

"... or in the form of a trial, a test, if you will, of your skills and abilities. If you wished to go that route, I can arrange it in, say, a week."

[Kavos]

Sirius looks directly into Jos eyes for a second before he too takes another sip. “Well than, by your own accusations, how am I to know that you are indeed the right person? You could be a cop and your test a sting… What is the world Entrapment?†Sirius says, taking another sip.

“But than again you could also just be some loon on the street who saw my book the other night and thought he could steel it from me.†Pausing for a second and looking Jos straight in the eyes “Which I might at is quite impossible.â€Â

[Dr Archeville]

Hunh, he's not as green as he looks.

Jos chuckles, "fair enough, Mr. Vulpes, fair enough. However, it would seem that, without some degree of trust, we are at an impasse: you suspect I may be a police officer or thief after your item, I wish verification on your abilities and skills. Hrrmm..."

The Dutch man is silent for a bit, but right as he begins to speak the waitress returns with the orders. "Ah, thank you, madame."

Mmm... dessert.

Once she had left, Jos looks about, then looks back at Sirius. "Tell me what you think of this proposal, Mr. Vulpes. Shortly before coming to this country, one of my regular buyers inquired about a certain type of ring, a Victorian-era silver ring with a hinged section, just big enough to hold a scrap of cloth soaked in perfume. The ring would be used by women walking down the smelly streets of Victorian London, holding their ringed hand up," he held his right hand up to his mouth, with the ring finger slightly raised so it was just under the nose, "so that their delicate noses would be protected from the foul odors by the sweet smells of the perfumed cloth." Jos lowered his hand and grabbed his coffee, taking a sip.

Ugh, this is crap!

"Gah, they call this French Vanilla? Tastes like the barista just poured vanilla extract into a cup of Folgers!" He tossed the coffee out into the street, almost dousing a passing car's windshield. "Er, sorry, where was I? Ah, yes, the ring. My buyer wants a particular style of ring, silver set with a large jade stone which has a scarab cut into it. The Victorians loved Egyptian art, you know. Anyway, as luck would have it, I recently learned of someone in this city who owns such a ring. I can provide you her name, her description, and her home and work contact information. You get me the ring -- by whatever means you wish -- and then we will see about future employment. If you truly fear I am a police officer, all you need do is make a completely legal and above-board transaction with her. If not... well...." He stops to try a bit of his panini, "hrm... well, at least they did okay with this."

[Kavos]

Sirius sits thinking for a moment, only giving the waiter a nod as the food arrives. “Fine, I shall acquire the ring for you.†A faint smile on his lips, “what ever way I deem fit.â€Â

Taking a bite of his risotto he cringers slightly at the chicken but otherwise says nothing about it. “Give my the information, and I shall get you the item you seek. Once I have the item, let’s say one week from now we shall meet back here, and continue our little discussion.†Smiling as he takes another sip of his drink he continues. “Before you say anything the week is not negotiable, it is for security reasons, I will retrieve the item when I feel like it, and it makes it harder for you to know when I’m going to move on it.†Sirius says.

[Dr Archeville]

Alright, boy, let's see what you've got.

Jos nods, "the time is acceptable, Mr. Vulpes. I do want you to take things at your own pace. The locale, however, is not -- I would prefer to meet somewhere with some good food. In fact, why not make it a place you should appreciate: Shaughnesey's, an Irish-American 'brew-pub'. They're a popular local chain, and there's one a few blocks from here, near the waterfront, where Madison and 4th Avenue intersect. The Foodie's Guide to Freedom City says they've got the best fish & chips around. 6:00pm?"

Jos brought out a notepad and pen and began to write, then tore the sheet and handed it to Sirius. The woman's name was Jenny Darling, described as "a fair-skinned middle-aged woman with long fading red hair typically worn in a bun; slim and trim, works out." Her home address was an apartment in Parkside; she lived alone but had two Golden Retrievers, Mick and Mack. She worked as a teller at a small branch library not far from her apartment.

Alright, boy, impress me.

[Kavos]

Sirius thinks for a second, “Fine, Shaughnesey’s, 6:00pm in one weeks time.â€Â

Taking the note Sirius flicks over what’s written, frowning when he reads about the two dogs, than he placed the note in his pocket.

Pushing the rest of his mostly uneaten risotto aside, Sirius takes a drink. “Is there anything else you wish to discuses?†Sirius asks leaning back in his seat.

[Dr Archeville]

Jos chews on his panini for a moment in thought, then looked back over the photos of the book (such as they were). "No, Mr. Vulpes, I do not believe there is any further business for us to discuss at this point."

Unless you feel like handing over that book! Wait, that fox symbol! Maybe I should ask if he knows of the pup? No, that might spook him off. I can ask later.

"In one week's time we shall meet again -- I hope -- and with luck by then I shall have arranged for some work to be done on translating these symbols."

[Kavos]

Sirius nods to Jos, “One week.†He says as he stands. Holding out his hands to shake, than whether or not Jos shook his hand or not, Sirius pull’s out his wallet and placers some money in the receipt book. “Good day.†Sirius says simply before turning and flagging down a cab…

[Kavos]

As Sirius sits in the back of the cab, he thinks quietly to himself. He had been over-playing his own abilities. While he could probably get the ring from this girl he didn’t know how. He couldn’t disable the security system, or pick the lock on the door.

The dogs were also going to be a problem; ever since he was a child he’d had a fear of dogs that he couldn’t explain, probably something to do with the Foxfire.

The Taxi pulled up at the library. Hopefully the target was still at work, and Sirius would be able to sum her up for himself.

As Sirius entered the library he quickly looks around for the target. Spotting her in the distance with a load of books moving from shelf to shelf Sirius also spots the familiar glint of a ring.

Moving to the opposed side of the isle to the target Sirius casually flicked through books, watching the ring between the gaps of the bookshelf.

It was than Sirius had a plan; placing the book he was holding back on the shelf, marching out of the Library he looked around. Following the note he wanders down the street, following the directions of the signs until he came across the apartment building a few blocks away.

Smiling Sirius flagged down a cab and headed home…

Over the next few days Ember stalked the rooftops following the movements of the target. Learning her scent, learning the sound of her walk and most of all learning here routine…

One morning the Sirius awoke, the sky was still dark, and not due to be up for several more hours. Getting out of bed Sirius bathed and cleaned, grabbing some eggs for breakfast. By the time the sky had a faint glow on the horizon Ember was leaping across rooftops, running at full speed until he came to his planed location.

Like most librarians the target was no different, over the past few days Ember had observed her movement and her habit of going to work as the sun rose, and than leaving work after sun set. As Ember sat in the shadows his ears picked, noting every sound, his smell wrinkled as it sniffed the air currents. Holding back a sneeze Ember smiled at himself.

While after dark gave Ember good cover it was too busy, but in the morning, most people were in bed, or to tired to notice small things. Now was the perfect time to nab the ring. As Ember went over his plans in his head, the familiar footfalls came into his hearing. A few moments later carried on a slight breeze Ember court the scent of her.

A devilish grin crossed his face as he hid in the shadow.

As the woman walked past the ally, back strait, not a hair out of place Ember pounced. Bounding out of the shadows a good twenty feet away Ember quickly rapt his arms around the shocked woman; a paw covering her mouth tightly to muffle any screams. Leaping again Ember dragged the woman with him back into the shadows of the ally.

As the woman struggled Ember kept his grip, making sure the woman couldn’t move here head to get a look at him. “Quiet, Quiet.†Ember says as he moved a paw into here vision, It glowed with an inner fire. “We wouldn’t want any accidents now would we.†Ember hissed into here ears. The Woman fell limp at the sight of the glowing paw. Ember smiled at himself; that was one advantage of the Freedom city. You never know who could be a super villain.

As the woman slouched in Embers arms, Embers paw quickly went to her ring finger. Slipping of the antique ring he quickly pocketed it. Smiling slightly as he got a small whiff of something inside the ring. Clever girl, she had placed chloroform in the ring. Thankfully Ember had taken her by surprise and hadn’t given here the chance to use it.

With the ring in his pocket Ember cautiously let the woman go, Before she could do anything Ember bounded away down the ally and onto the roof, the most the poor librarian saw was the black tip of his tail as it went over the edge of the building…

Sirius wandered down to the waiting cab, telling the driver wear to go, Sirius looked at the small envelope in his hands. Checking his watch Sirius frowned he was going to be a few minuets late to his meeting with Jos…

Local librarian mugged by metahuman!

Local Librarian Jenny Darling was mugged the other morning while on her way to work. She reported to cops that her assalant leaped out of the shadows as if he had been waiting for her. Than he had dragged her into the shadows were she was sure he was going to rape her. She reports the Metahuman had glowing red hands as if they were on fire.

Thankfully for Jenny she is shaken but unharmed. The mugger apparently only stole a ring, a family heirloom.

The Police chief had no comment on the matter other than they were investigating it.

[Dr Archeville]

When Sirius arrived at Shaughnesey's, he didn't see Jos at first. When the waitress -- a brunette with a noticeable Irish accent -- asked how many would be in his group, and he said he was waiting for someone, she escorted him to a table near the back of the place, where Jos was seated.

So, the boy made it. Let's see what he's got for us.

The Dutch man smiled and rose, "ah, Mr. Vulpes, so good to see you have made it! Please, come, sit." Jos sat back down, and Sirius saw in front of him a plate of stripped-bare chicken wing bones. "Ah, I hope you do not object, I went ahead and ordered an appetizer for myself. Curried chicken wings -- I never would have thought something like these would be in a place like this! Not the usual gourmet fare I prefer, but if it is good, I will eat it!"

The waitress came back with a dark beer for Jos, and asked Sirius for his drink order while handing him a menu.

"So, how was your week? Profitable?"

[Kavos]

Sirius looks around somewhat surprised oh how at home he felt; feeling sentimental was never one of Sirius’s strong points. Looking at Jos he nodded in greeting.

Looking over to the waitress Sirius ends up ordering the chicken and chips, and an Irish brew. Looking over to Jos, “I can’t stand fish.†Sirius says, before pulling a small envelop out of his pocket.

Once the waitress has left, Sirius hands the envelop to Jos, “There was a minor hiccup in the plan but otherwise it was successful.†Sirius says.

[Dr Archeville]

The place was indeed home-y, even if you weren't Irish. The building -- the first Shaughnesey's -- was all wood and stone, supposedly imported from Ireland, though the parts that had been damage and later re-built following the numerous dust-ups in Freedom were re-built with a mix of local and imported materials. The walls were lined with pictures of old Irish working families and assorted knick-knacks; similar items filled several display cases built into the tops of the booth seats and behind the wide bar which dominated the center of the building. Farming implements (including some old blades of various sizes) made up about a third of the items, beer mugs and whiskey bottles another third, and the rest were assorted piece of whatever (eyeglasses, pens, books, sewing machines, road signs, and other random things). The waitresses all spoke with Irish lilts, and the only male employee seen was the bartender, though several of the waitresses went back and mixed random drinks as well.

"You do not care for fish, Mr. Vulpes?" Jos repeated. "I cannot say I find that surprising -- most Irish folk seem to have a noticeable disdain for seafood, even though there is such wonderful abundance off the Irish coast. Why they limit themselves to cod, and not avail themselves of the bounty before them, I shall never know."

Jos ordered the fish & chips after Sirius placed his order, then took the envelop he offered after she'd left.

"A 'hiccup', Mr. Vulpes? What sort of 'hiccup'?

The kind which can be traced back to us?

Jos opened the envelop, tipping it until out tumbled....

[Kavos]

“Nothing of consequence, I just would have preferred a more subtle way of procuring the object, unfortunately unforeseeable events forced me to be a little more proactive in its acquisition.†Sirius says as the small silver ring fell into Jos’s hand. “She was quite clever actually, she had hidden in it a small vial of sedatives.†Sirius commented, looking around the room. “I wonder how many here are actually Irish?†Sirius commented, apparently having little interest in the finished job.

[Dr Archeville]

"You never can tell in these places -- I am sure there are a fair number of Irishmen, perhaps fresh off the boat, perhaps dockworkers, but there could certainly be any sort here."

Ah, there's the tasty ring! Pretty little thing... though but a trinket compared to the sorts of things I'm really after.

"Still, as long as nothing... direct appears in the papers, I am sure there will be no problem. As for my end of our bargain," he placed the ring in his front shirt pocket, then turned to the side and retrieved a plain black courier bag from under the table. Placing it on the table between them, he pulled forth some papers. "My... associates have had quite the devil of a time trying to decode your book, or, rather, the burned images from the photographs."

Now's the test, now we see how far I can string you along, kid.

"As you can see from these e-mails and faxes, no one has been able to make heads nor tails of it." He handed the papers to Sirius, but one of the first things to catch his eye were the number of thick black marks obscuring the names, e-mail addresses, and fax and phone numbers of everyone involved. Apparently if Sirirus wasn't going to name any of his contacts, neither would Jos. "They all agree that it looks like Ogham, the alphabet used in the 'Old Irish' languages; it was also an alphabet popular with several Druidic and Neo-Druidic groups. Unfortunately, all attempts to translate it have thus far failed -- one described the script as moving and changing when he tried to work on it, one said she saw flame dancing above the letter when she tried to concentrate on it and they transfixed her. Most agree that some magical help would be needed to... decrypt it, so that is the angle I am pursuing now."

Which is tricky, because we don't want anyone knowing my little secret.

[Kavos]

Sirius shrugs, “I did not think it would be that simple.†Than looking at Jos in a devilish manor, “I guess we shall be working together longer than we thought.†Sirius says with a faint smile.

[Dr Archeville]

"It would appear so, Mr. Vulpes," Jos says as the waitress brings Sirius his brew. "Cheers."

Let me think, what other devilry can I cook up....

"There are a few more tasks I may have for you, if you are available, of course. I am expecting some large deliveries very soon, items for my new shoppe along with some personal effects from the Netherlands. I could use an extra set of eyes to monitor the delivery from the docks to the warehouse which I have rented to temporarily store them in. Is this something which would appeal to you?"

I'm betting it is.

[Kavos]

Sirius nods to Jos as he says cheers, Listening before finally speaking. "That's fine, But my patients has limits, I'll work for you now because you may prove useful in translating the journal. But I will not wait around doing your dirty work if you fail to make any progress." Sirius says, his tone deep, but not threatening. "I will leave. Understood?"

Sirius's demeanour suddenly shift's to a more friendly one, the dark tone in his voice gone, "So when, were and how?" He asks, taking a sip of drink.

[Dr Archeville]

Ooh, is that a backbone I see? Careful it doesn't get broken, boy.

"I understand completely, Mr. Vulpes," Jos says with a nod. "Ours is a business arrangement, nothing more, nothing less."

"As for 'when, where, and how': the Tuesday after next, at Pier 18. A large shipment, two big crates, will be arriving that night. I would appreciate some help in escorting them to my warehouse," he took out a piece of paper and pen and jotted down an address, "to make sure nothing happens to them. Word on the street is that someone may want to start charging me 'protection fees', and word is they plan to attack and destroy my shipments as proof of how dangerous a town this is." He chuckles a bit, then composes himself. "So there may be some firefighting involved. Think you would be up to that?"

Shame my murder of that family gave those punk kids the idea to start an extortion racket in the neighborhood. Still, this could prove fun: if they do follow through, they could prove to be useful pawns, should they make it out alive. And if those punks take out this kid, well, it shows he's not worth my time.

[Kavos]

“Fine, although combat isn’t exactly my thing.†Sirius says than stops to think for a second. “I do however have an acquaintance who owes me a favor. If you wish he could tale the convoy and eliminate any ‘problems’†Sirius says as he takes the note.

[Dr Archeville]

Bringing others in? Could be trouble... could be more chances for recruits.

"Oh?," he replies, "and what can you tell me about this acquaintance? Local man? Cool head? I would not want someone who is too easily excited working this job."

Before Sirius can reply, the waitress comes back with their orders. "Here ya go, lads, one fish 'n' chips, one chicken crisps platter. Can I be gettin' ye anythin' else?"

"Oh, no, no, this looks quite fine!" he cordially replies, "thank you."

Fine indeed, lil' lass. I may come back later for dessert....

Soon she is gone, "So, this acquaintance: anything you care to tell me about him?"

[Kavos]

Sirius nods to the waitress in thanks. Once she had left he speaks “He is trustworthy… His family and my family have been blood allies for generations. He will do as he is told, he will not gossip, he will not betray, he will simply stay in the shadows and do as I have ordered.†Sirius says casually as he picks over his food.

[Dr Archeville]

Jos grinned, though there was no trace of goodness in the expression. "Ah, a loyal hound who knows its master's voice. That is good."

Is this acquaintance of yours the Pup? Hrrmmm....

"Very well, then, Mr. Vulpes, bring in your acquaintance. You know the place and date... ah, but not the time." He motioned for the note back, then jotted down the time and date below the address. "9:00pm. The boat will be here long before then, of course, but that is when I have arranged to have my two crates unloaded. I shall meet you there, and we shall each oversee one crate; your associate can shadow behind."

Or so I want you to believe. I'll be calling to let you know I have been delayed, and that you will need to oversee both crates. But I will be there, flying overhead. It's a bit of a gamble -- though not much, since only one of the crates holds anything of real value, the other is full of materials for making forgeries along with a few half-finished ones -- but I do need to test your trustworthiness. Now, let's see, I'll make the call at- oh, damnit!

"Oh, one more thing: do you have a number where I can reach you in case of any last-minute changes? I just realized we have yet to exchange any real contact information."

[Kavos]

Sirius nods to all that Jos mentions. Grabbing a napkin Sirius rights down his phone number, “You can reach me here, It has voice massagers so if you miss me you can leave a message.†Sirius says handing the napkin over to Jos. Than picks at his food again, “It’s not too bad, closest thing I’ve had to Irish food since I got here in any case.†Sirius says commenting on his food.

[Dr Archeville]

Jos nodded as he took some tentative bites of his fish & chips, "Mmm, this is quite good. Not too greasy, very light, perfectly crisp."

This actually isn't half bad. But there are many sweeter things around, like that waitress.

"In fact, this tastes almost exactly like the fish & chips I had the one time I was near Ireland. The Isle of Anglesey, in Wales, a few years back. Some beautiful menhirs and monolithic structures there. Ever been?"

Given the Isle's long association with Druids, I'd bet you have. Maybe that's where you obtained your book?

[Kavos]

“Yes I’ve been there, but only in my childhood.†Sirius says glazing over the question, as he took another bite of his meal. “Did you know, that many believe the druidic sights left over from an age long but forgotten, are actually gateways into the spirit realm, and that with the appropriate wording one can summon a spirit from that realm…†Sirius says somewhat absentmindedly as if he was thinking about something else, "Obviously that isn’t true, I mean gateways to another world, who would honestly believe that…†Sirius suddenly adds on as if he suddenly remembered were and he was and who he was talking to.