The Planet

"I could find the time. Is it dangerous?"

Hawthorn's tone, and overt and predatory interest in the snacks, suggests that danger would be a plus and not a minus.

Wysteria wrote: ↑

Mon 06 Dec, 2021, 11:17 pm

"I could find the time. Is it dangerous?"

Hawthorn's tone, and overt and predatory interest in the snacks, suggests that danger would be a plus and not a minus.

"It could be," Kavirin assures? allows? "There is certainly an element of risk, as the very nature of the work means I don't know how it will turn out. However, I have every confidence in the group of you being able to handle whatever the situation may be."

He casts a quick glance over the assembled group. "On which note, two matters of business. Firstly, the matter of payment. I will be paid by the client after resolving their request. For your assistance, a portion of the fee will be given to you as a group and divided amongst you. Half or so," he waves a hand in vague dismissal. "Dru handles the accounts, he'll sort out the details with you.

"And, second. Before I divulge the specifics of the case, I must have your assurance that you will keep it to yourselves, from each of you. My work depends on my reputation, and my reputation includes discretion and confidentiality for all clients."

The more Kavirin speaks, the more misgivings Zally feels. The only thing he clarifies is that the job is risky but he expects them to be able to handle it. As he does not know them, this only makes Zally feel like they are being used and lied to. He pretends to tell them what they will earn for the work, but only states that it will be 'half' of the unspecified fee, which could be nothing at all. And if the four of them were taking on the risk of the case, why would they only recieve half of total fee between them?

Zally says none of this aloud. They are not bound to any contract yet, and they can still walk out of the house. And they still have unanswered questions.

'I won't divulge your case,' says Zally. 'But I need to hear it before I decide whether I want to do it.' And the most pressing of their unanswered questions: 'Why us? What makes you speak as if you are sure of any of our capabilities?' They look between Drurios and Kavirin, watching for their reactions carefully.

OOC: I would like to make a Social Instinct check, if allowed? I want to try to discern their motives and honesty, as best as I can.

corvabird wrote: ↑

Fri 10 Dec, 2021, 11:16 am

OOC: I would like to make a Social Instinct check, if allowed? I want to try to discern their motives and honesty, as best as I can.

OOC: Go for it! I'll use the roll on the reply to their question and attach the result to it.

OOC: I don't have any points in Social Instinct so Fate will decide:

d20

corvabird wrote: ↑

Fri 10 Dec, 2021, 11:16 am

'I won't divulge your case,' says Zally. 'But I need to hear it before I decide whether I want to do it.' And the most pressing of their unanswered questions: 'Why us? What makes you speak as if you are sure of any of our capabilities?' They look between Drurios and Kavirin, watching for their reactions carefully.

"I am a highly skilled and successful private investigator. You don't think I went about delivering personal invitations to just anyone I found on the street without assessing their capabilities first, do you?" Kavirin seems amused by the thought, not offended.

Drurios, having noticed Zally's attention, clears his throat just slightly before chiming in, addressing the assembled group. "Despite his dramatics, Kavirin is in fact surprisingly competent." ("Surprising??" Kavirin protests, and is completely disregarded) "And, as I am the manager of this enterprise, I can assure you that the only commitment expected of any of you is not to share any details of the case. You are entirely free to refuse or to change your mind on accepting at any time, although I would appreciate being informed. For the paperwork," he adds with a sigh.

* * *

Zalian can tell that Kavirin is putting on some kind of act and that their two hosts are probably being honest? But they don't have enough confidence in that judgement to fully allay their suspicions.

While the others have been speaking, Mina was quick to grab one of the snacks, and having now finished eating the first one, they pick up a second snack, before they exclaim: "I'm in. At least for the part where everything is kept secret. I assume it's something about trees, since you claim to have skillfully, successfully, and privately investigated us. And my prime interest - if not speciality - is definitely trees."

They then take a bite out of the second snack, before quietly adding, almost to themself, "and anatomy. And fluid dynamics. And.. nevermind."

OOC: I hope and assume there isn't anything suspicious in those snacks that Mina is already eating the second of.

Zally isn't completely sure of these two. They want to ask 'How did you assess our capabilities?' Because what even *are* Zally's capabilities? They make potions that nobody wants to buy. They know a tiny amount of magic -- nothing like their sister can do. Was Kavirin watching them? But if they had been ... what could they possibly have seen that would make them want to hire them?

But they *seem* honest enough, if a bit dramatic ...

Zally sighs and pays some attention to the others. The elf person assumes the case will be about trees ... Zalian certainly isn't confident in their arboreal knowledge, so this is a little concerning.

'I'll hear you out and keep it secret,' Zalian tells Kavirin. 'But I have to tell you -- I don't know anything about trees.' Their tail swishes anxiously across the floor, kicking up a tiny cloud of dust.

Sab is happy to enjoy the food, but he's confused by Kavirin's hiring style. Other people who've given him odd jobs since arriving here haven't done it anything like this way. At this point he doesn't even know if this will pay for a single night at the inn, or if it will be a problem that he doesn't keep secrets from Spire the Forest Witch... but she's not even on this Plane, and has no effect on anyone's reputation around here.

Drurios was the one supposed to handle the trading, at least, right? So Sab turns to Drurios and tries to ask the ordinary specifics - how much, how long, will there be more food?

Hawthorn, content that other people have asked the Important Questions, says as an aside about the snacks, "These are really good."

She aims the comment mostly at Mina, but it's certainly loud enough that everyone else will hear her.

More loudly, she adds, "I won't share anything with anyone."

No one she knows cares about investigations or adventures, anyway. Who would she tell?