faderift | Tracking Smugglers

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Tracking Smugglers

WHO: Korrin, Fenris, Julian, Adasse
WHAT: Hunting down slavers for fun and profit.
WHEN: At some nebulous point in the first half of the month.
WHERE: Ayesleigh
NOTES: CW: Slavers, violence, to be updated as need be.

It's a long trip to Ayesleigh, but the uneventful nature of it gives plenty of time to plan for the assignment ahead. The Inquisition has tasked Korrin and Fenris -members of the Northern Powers project- with following up on some leads regarding slavers in the region. Said leads have been accused of kidnapping, but lack of evidence has them still walking free. With some discussion of plans and a bit of luck, the Inquisition's agents might go further than what local authorities have been able to manage.

That's where the trail begins, though Korrin reminds everyone that they might have to expand their search, depending on what's discovered. The use of force -lethal or otherwise- isn't forbidden, but it's made clear that they must do their best not to leave a trail of blood leading directly to the Inquisition. Whatever must be done, it ought be kept discreet. (Fenris is likely reminded of this more than once.) Force isn't the only resource available to them, however; thanks to Julian and Adasse, connections and stealth might open an number of doors otherwise closed to them.

It's early morning when their ship finally reaches port, travelers streaming down onto the docks and disappearing into the crowds. The hunt begins.

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Their next lead brings them to a rather influential member of Rivaini society, a noble named Philippus Bombelles who also just happens to have a bit of a smuggling hobby on the side. There are plenty of guards, servants, and other nobles milling around his estate. Getting to and dealing with him is probably going to require a bit of clever talking on the group’s part…

Korrin glances to Julian because, well, this is the main reason she invited him. The noble Antivan can open doors the rest of them can't, thanks to mage or non-human status, or both.

"So, what's the plan? Are we your bodyguards or would you rather us wait outside?"

Julian slips a billfold out from an interior pocket of his jacket, drawing out a calling card.

"I have no problem with you accompanying me, and I think it might be a good look to show Bombelles a non-Qunari in my employ too, since Rivain is currently losing more ground each year to the Qun and its influence." He waves the card in the air. "I'm not a close friend of his, so I can't simply walk up to the door as if I have a standing invitation. If one of you would take this to the footman at the door, perhaps we'll be granted an audience."

That's Julian's hope, at least. He comes from a good family, though they aren't stuffy, which might cause Bombelles to be a bit more candid. Having two elves with him might also get the man talking, thinking the De Abbrixios know a bit about keeping elves around as servants or worse.

Fenris knows he's going to have to hold his tongue around here, something which he generally finds difficult to do. He scowls as he looks at the estate, thinking of the undoubtedly lavish decor and expensive finery to be found inside... most of it purchased due to his activities smuggling slaves. He's never had much respect for nobility, but this makes it even worse.

Still, he's here to do a job. They'd needed to be strategic with that first lead, so the same goes for this one.

"Do I dare? Or would you prefer to do the honors, Adasse?"

"Oh no, I think you ought to let me do it, Fenris." Adasse's smile is good and coy, even if he's silently thrilled to be working with the 'Great Fenris' himself, before he completely changes his demeanor. His shoulders slump, his eyes move downcast, and his accent mirrors Julian's perfectly, with the faintest slur around the edges.

"You stand in the back, hood up. Everyone knows about your markings." He looks over at Julian and Korrin piteously, "Shall I take your card up to them, Master? Then I can just creep back into the kitchen, perhaps get you some warm milk ... find out a few things about the layout."

Korrin smirks as little as Adasse's demeanor transforms before their eyes, and she nods. He's the perfect image of a worn-down servant, someone much less likely to attract suspicion than either herself or Fenris. She nods at his plan, though waits for Julian to give his stamp of approval. He's running this particular show, after all.

Ah, good. It seems Julian doesn't have to point out that he's about to stop treating them like fellow Inquisition agents and instead like those who are beneath him. He hands over the card to Adasse and says, "There's a good lad." A wink is added since they're not at the doors yet. "Now do try not to get lost. It would be an utter embarrassment to me if you were to be found somewhere you shouldn't be. And surely don't bother peeking in any drawers or ledgers you come across."

This is perfect. If their host won't spill any info, then it will be on Adasse to get the needed information.

"Good plan." He breathes a sigh of relief, because, face it, he's definitely not cut out to play that sort of part, even had he not been so recognizable. His armor fortunately covers up a lot of the markings, and pulling up his hood does help, to some extent. Someone would have to really be paying close attention to notice anything.

He falls back, after that, ready to watch this unfold. It had sounded like this nobleman wasn't quite the top of this chain... so who is? Hopefully he'll give them some answers.

There's at least enough regular activity at this place, with people coming and going, so their presence shouldn't rouse too much suspicion. Bombelles has a lot of friends... or at least associates.

Adasse bowed his head lowly, "I shall keep that in mind, master, and find something to take in my idle hands so I'm allowed to get lost ... I mean, to not shame your name."

Smirking? Just a little, but that smirk is gone as he turns, with the same timid walk as he moves towards the overly ornate door, and knocks on it. When it is answered, Adasse averts his eyes and offers out the card with delicate fingers.

"My master wishes to know if the Lord of the house is entertaining."

For Korrin's part, she moves to stand just behind Julian as though guarding him, ready to adopt the role of the stoic, obedient bodyguard. It's not a role she relishes, but she's played it before. Between the four of them, the act ought to be enough to get the job done.

It's difficult, but she manages not to smirk as the card is taken and the servant -an elderly elf woman- departs to inquire. Before too long, the servant returns and opens the door wider to usher them inside.

Getting in isn't the hardest part of all this, but it would have been difficult to go any farther if they couldn't even get a foot in the door. They probably would have had to sneak in through a window or something, and all sorts of things could have gone wrong then. Or maybe that's just Julian projecting the fact that he doesn't do subtlety well.

Adjusting the cuffs of his jacket with a smirk, Julian saunters forward into the house and claps his hands together, addressing the servant.

"Ah, now where can I find good old Bombelles? I haven't seen him in ages." Granted, "seeing" him means they attend the same parties from time to time, so they're aware of each other. "Is he through there?" Julian nods his head towards one room. "Or in another equally impressive chamber?" He may be raising his voice just a bit, in case the noble is within earshot.

Fenris can't disguise his contempt, as he scowls and looks around at the impressive, rich decor of the inside. He pulls his hood up a bit more. For now, he's going to just be another gruff sort of bodyguard, one who's not much for words. He's not so sure he'll be able to hold back, after all, if he did start talking. Nobility... they always have this habit for flaunting their wealth...

"Right this way," the elf servant finally returns after a few minutes, ushering them past the great hall and along another hallway, finally ending up at a closed door, which she knocks on. "Your visitor and his servants are here."

'Flaunt' indeed is the best description for their target, as he finally comes into view once the door is opened. He's deliberately made his visitors wait a bit, and seems rather unhurried even now. The man is older, and dressed as if going to a fancy affair, with plenty of jewels and gold on him, his colorful silken clothing appearing to be some of the finest that money could buy. When he sees the group, Bombelles' eyes narrow, as if he's still trying to place where they're from. Undoubtedly trying to place if they're from his daily life... or his side business, Fenris assumes.

As for Bombelles, he's definitely someone who plays at games, and definitely the Game at that. He has a seemingly easygoing demeanor, very welcoming to the unexpected guest and his entourage. A little too welcoming for Fenris' taste. Bleh. There's just something false about him. "Please, do, please, do come in! Come, have a seat. Would you take some tea?" He waves to the servant to bring that along over. "It's so wonderful to have you here. Might there be some business to discuss? Or are you strictly on a social visit?"

Adasse falls to the back, making sure to keep his shoulders hunched and his head down. He whispers softly to Korrin, his head still bowed, "Please tell the Master I am going to the kitchen, to be out of the way."

"Just go." Korrin gives Adasse a curt nod, wishing she could follow, but the whole point of pretending to be a bodyguard is that she goes where Julian does. If he asks, she'll pass on what was said but otherwise won't interrupt the two nobles. Crossing her arms, she locks gazes with Fenris. Her own is sympathetic, but just for a moment; that aura of an alert bodyguard has to make its return. As their host finally makes himself known, she hangs back just a little and notes the abundance of jewels, the worth of which could easily feed and clothe the desperate of Kirkwall. Of course she will remain standing, naturally not included in the offer to sit and as a bodyguard, wouldn't think to do so.

Julian sits down with a flourish, stretching his arms over the back of the settee like he's right at home, which isn't too far off the mark. However, his own family wouldn't be sporting fake smiles like this one.

"Ah, thank you, thank you. My associates will stand. How long has it been? Was it Lady Antonia's First Day party or further back? Lord Horatio's Saturnalia celebration? I swear I blacked out for three days by the end of it!" He lets out a laugh at his own ridiculous behavior, but it's simply meant to show himself as a bit of a cad to hopefully get Bombelles to open up.

Fenris is more than glad to stay well toward the back, standing near Korrin, not about to get any closer, lest the man potentially recognize him for who he is. Who knows, with these nobles? The whole place leaves a bad taste in his mouth, though, knowing that this man's riches had to be in part earned by his smuggling of slaves. He hates this so much. It's all he can do not to rip the man's chest open.

Instead, he shares that gaze with Korrin, hoping that Adasse has some kind of good plan in mind. Idly, Fenris looks around the room, taking account of how many windows and doors there are. Just… just in case. He's never one to go anywhere without a good escape plan. Old habits and all.

Bombelles is no fool, of course, he wouldn't have survived this long if he was. But if he suspects anything at all, there's no sign of that. He seems perfectly content and at ease discussing social topics. "Oh, yes! Yes, yes, of course, you know, Lord Horatio is always a superb host… I believe many of us came to the next morning, draped around his parlor with quite the confusion… I woke up under a settee! But that was perfectly fine, given who I woke beside…" He smiles brightly as he recollects the whole incident. "We really must do that again. Or perhaps go on a hunt together, do you enjoy hunting?"

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Tracking Smugglers

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