faderift | 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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"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?"

Tracking Smugglers

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