Natalie walks down the street, her head spinning from what she had heard. Askier's employee had gone rogue? Roen was… actually kidnapped? It seemed too ridiculous to believe, and her source had been less than reliable, but she was unable to contact him and verify. “Twelves damned Garleans,†she mutters, “No wonder they can’t win a war, no professionalism.†She’d love nothing better than to tear into the heart of this matter, but first there was a problem to deal with.
A very well dressed problem.
She found him outside the Quicksand, speaking to Ser Crofte, an icy woman who apparently had taken Nat’s position at the order. She was everything Nat wasn’t, elegant, composed… and dreadfully boring.
"Ah! Ser Crofte. I have heard of you from Jenlyns..." he glances to the side spotting the familiar figure in Blades uniform.
Ser Crofte regards him, "And you are?"
Jameson bows courteously to Coatleque, "Jameson Taeros. At your service."
Natalie approaches, "Ser Crofte..." she grimaces "... Jameson."
Dressed as impeccably as always he smiled, "Dear Natalie. Good to see you again." He sounds so pleasant.
"Hello to you too." she says with a sardonic air.
Jameson laughs, "Why so glum? I bring you good news!"
Natalie smirks, "Somehow I doubt that Jameson, but I'm listening."
Ser Crofte clears her throat, "If there was nothing further, I doubt you would care for my eavesdropping."
He gives Ser Crofte a sly smile and a wink. "Alas, unfortunately, my business with Natalie here is of... private nature. But perhaps you and I can grab a drink one of these days?"
Natalie rolls her eyes.
Coatleque glances between the two. "Aye, anything could happen I suppose. Stay safe." She walks off down the avenue.
"Mm. Redheads." He says under his breath before turning to Natalie with a smile.
Natalie sighs, looking at him impatiently, "So...?"
"You delivered on your end, it is my time I delivered on -my- end, Dear Natalie. We can discuss it here... or outside the gates. It matters not to me." He looks completely at ease.
Natalie pauses and regards him carefully, "Somehow I'm not convinced you won't betray me at the last moment." She nods, "Let's at least get out of the street."
Jameson shakes his head and tsks as he follows her to a quiet alley. "So little trust."
She turns to face him removing her helmet and shaking out her sweat dampened hair, "Alright, tell me the good news."
Jameson cocks his head at her. "You should be happy to hear. My employer was -quite- pleased." He withdraws from his satchel a large envelope and extends it to her. "Here. Everything we have that would damn your girl." He smiles.
Natalie looks at it with trepidation, "What did Gharen have to endure for me to get this?" she takes it with a trembling hand
.
He curls a sly grin. "Do you really want to know, Natalie?"
She grimaces before nodding once, quickly. "Yes."
"He is underground, in a metal cell. The best furnace we got. We leave prisoners there to wither, and die. Turned into husks really. My employer has yet to make a show of him though. Perhaps the right inspiration has not hit him." He lifts his brows once, looking amused at the thought.
She shakes her head bitterly, "And for what? Why not just kill him? You have what you want from him."
He shakes his head and tsks. "Natalie," he says in a forced patient tone. "Quick deaths are so... boring!" He frowns slightly at the word, "My employer likes... satisfaction. Amusement if you will. Merciful executions are for Sworns and the Sultana."
Natalie bares her teeth slightly, "This cannot be condoned by the Sulanate, they torture... but not for pleasure, and I wasn't aware the syndicate kept it's own death chambers under the city."
Jameson curls another devilish smile at Natalie. "You would be amazed how many affairs you are not aware of."
She bites her lip and looks to the side, "I'm sure you're right."
He sighs and shrugs. "I am but one messenger though, Natalie. You know this already. I do as bid. And it does me well."
Natalie opens up the packet, "But this is it? Amnesty? No tricks?"
He leans in with a pointed look. "And as you have discovered, you do as we bid, you will get your rewards. But you almost sound disappointed."
She smirks at him, "I was looking for a reason to hate you Jameson.†She chuckles sadly, "But as you said... you're just a messenger."
"If words are not kept, then the cogs and webs that hold and run this city falls apart. We had a deal, and you delivered. Congratulations Natalie. Your girl, as at least free from our clutches. You should be pleased. Smile!" He smiles at her in example.
Natalie laughs in spite of herself, "Gods Jameson… If only you'd picked a different master."
He narrows his amber eyes at her, his grin still in place. "Then you would have that drink with me?"
She actually smiles now, "I just might."
He curls another smile, and this one... is slightly different. "Well, it is too bad your girl will never know what you did for her. But being that her brother's life was the price, perhaps it is best." He tilts his head, "Where -is- the girl? I have yet to hear how she has been doing. Since her ... obvious failure. Unlike you and Kiryuu, who have performed and adjusted quite well to the way of the Brass Blades."
Natalie shrugs, "All secrets are fleeing things Jameson, I'm sure she'll find out eventually." She pauses, her throat suddenly dry, “Ah, Roen? She's on a long patrol..." she clears her throat and laughs, "Have we been such model Blades? That's what worries me ."
"I heard from Anden that he has not been seen recently. I hope she is not deserting her duties. After all your efforts to exonerate her, it would not do her well to be in trouble with her superiors. ... Again."
Natalie shakes her head and shrugs, "Wouldn't know, she's not under my command."
Jameson lets out a long sigh. "Only if she would perform as well as you and Kiryuu have. Admirable indeed."
She smirks, "In my own way I'm proud that she hasn't."
"Oaths and all." He tsks with a shake of his head. "She will have to be broken in. Sooner or later."
Natalie smiles back at him, "That's where we differ. Not everything in this world needs to be dragged down into the muck."
He arches a brow at her. "What do you mean, Natalie?"
She keeps grinning, "Some trees can remain unbent by the storm."
His shoulders rise and fall with an inhale and he looks at her pointedly"Well, we like to put the Blade to those trees.†He breaks into a smile. "We will see who outlasts whom. Hm?"
She chuckles, "That we will Jameson."
"It is easier to bend, Natalie. Always easier to bend."
"That's true Jameson, but someone has to stay straight."
"Easier I suppose, if you were still a Sworn. To stick to the straight and narrow. But you had your chance at that already, aye?" His expression is... so smug.
Natalie shakes her head, "It's not that Jameson, if everyone bends, it becomes the new straight." she smiles despite his insult, "After the storm passes, we all need examples, of what we were like before we bent." She smiles and nods once, “Roen is that to me."
He blinks, his brows furrowing just slightly. The smug expression gives way to something just for a passing moment. "It is too bad, Natalie. That I work for the employer that I do. You and I could have been better friends."
She laughs, "Life is a mysterious thing Jameson, you never know what will happen. We might get that drink one day yet."
Jameson cocks his head then the sly expression returns. "Perhaps, Natalie. Perhaps." He inhales. "Well, job well done. You have your reward. Back to your usual duties you go."
She taps the folder, "Whatever happens in the future, thank you for this." she nods, "Until next time."
"I suppose I can check in on Anden about your girl's status." He bows courteously, "Always a pleasure doing business with you Natalie. Always a pleasure."
She nods and raps a finger against the packet with a smile, “Jameson, this is the first time I can say the same.â€
A very well dressed problem.
She found him outside the Quicksand, speaking to Ser Crofte, an icy woman who apparently had taken Nat’s position at the order. She was everything Nat wasn’t, elegant, composed… and dreadfully boring.
"Ah! Ser Crofte. I have heard of you from Jenlyns..." he glances to the side spotting the familiar figure in Blades uniform.
Ser Crofte regards him, "And you are?"
Jameson bows courteously to Coatleque, "Jameson Taeros. At your service."
Natalie approaches, "Ser Crofte..." she grimaces "... Jameson."
Dressed as impeccably as always he smiled, "Dear Natalie. Good to see you again." He sounds so pleasant.
"Hello to you too." she says with a sardonic air.
Jameson laughs, "Why so glum? I bring you good news!"
Natalie smirks, "Somehow I doubt that Jameson, but I'm listening."
Ser Crofte clears her throat, "If there was nothing further, I doubt you would care for my eavesdropping."
He gives Ser Crofte a sly smile and a wink. "Alas, unfortunately, my business with Natalie here is of... private nature. But perhaps you and I can grab a drink one of these days?"
Natalie rolls her eyes.
Coatleque glances between the two. "Aye, anything could happen I suppose. Stay safe." She walks off down the avenue.
"Mm. Redheads." He says under his breath before turning to Natalie with a smile.
Natalie sighs, looking at him impatiently, "So...?"
"You delivered on your end, it is my time I delivered on -my- end, Dear Natalie. We can discuss it here... or outside the gates. It matters not to me." He looks completely at ease.
Natalie pauses and regards him carefully, "Somehow I'm not convinced you won't betray me at the last moment." She nods, "Let's at least get out of the street."
Jameson shakes his head and tsks as he follows her to a quiet alley. "So little trust."
She turns to face him removing her helmet and shaking out her sweat dampened hair, "Alright, tell me the good news."
Jameson cocks his head at her. "You should be happy to hear. My employer was -quite- pleased." He withdraws from his satchel a large envelope and extends it to her. "Here. Everything we have that would damn your girl." He smiles.
Natalie looks at it with trepidation, "What did Gharen have to endure for me to get this?" she takes it with a trembling hand
.
He curls a sly grin. "Do you really want to know, Natalie?"
She grimaces before nodding once, quickly. "Yes."
"He is underground, in a metal cell. The best furnace we got. We leave prisoners there to wither, and die. Turned into husks really. My employer has yet to make a show of him though. Perhaps the right inspiration has not hit him." He lifts his brows once, looking amused at the thought.
She shakes her head bitterly, "And for what? Why not just kill him? You have what you want from him."
He shakes his head and tsks. "Natalie," he says in a forced patient tone. "Quick deaths are so... boring!" He frowns slightly at the word, "My employer likes... satisfaction. Amusement if you will. Merciful executions are for Sworns and the Sultana."
Natalie bares her teeth slightly, "This cannot be condoned by the Sulanate, they torture... but not for pleasure, and I wasn't aware the syndicate kept it's own death chambers under the city."
Jameson curls another devilish smile at Natalie. "You would be amazed how many affairs you are not aware of."
She bites her lip and looks to the side, "I'm sure you're right."
He sighs and shrugs. "I am but one messenger though, Natalie. You know this already. I do as bid. And it does me well."
Natalie opens up the packet, "But this is it? Amnesty? No tricks?"
He leans in with a pointed look. "And as you have discovered, you do as we bid, you will get your rewards. But you almost sound disappointed."
She smirks at him, "I was looking for a reason to hate you Jameson.†She chuckles sadly, "But as you said... you're just a messenger."
"If words are not kept, then the cogs and webs that hold and run this city falls apart. We had a deal, and you delivered. Congratulations Natalie. Your girl, as at least free from our clutches. You should be pleased. Smile!" He smiles at her in example.
Natalie laughs in spite of herself, "Gods Jameson… If only you'd picked a different master."
He narrows his amber eyes at her, his grin still in place. "Then you would have that drink with me?"
She actually smiles now, "I just might."
He curls another smile, and this one... is slightly different. "Well, it is too bad your girl will never know what you did for her. But being that her brother's life was the price, perhaps it is best." He tilts his head, "Where -is- the girl? I have yet to hear how she has been doing. Since her ... obvious failure. Unlike you and Kiryuu, who have performed and adjusted quite well to the way of the Brass Blades."
Natalie shrugs, "All secrets are fleeing things Jameson, I'm sure she'll find out eventually." She pauses, her throat suddenly dry, “Ah, Roen? She's on a long patrol..." she clears her throat and laughs, "Have we been such model Blades? That's what worries me ."
"I heard from Anden that he has not been seen recently. I hope she is not deserting her duties. After all your efforts to exonerate her, it would not do her well to be in trouble with her superiors. ... Again."
Natalie shakes her head and shrugs, "Wouldn't know, she's not under my command."
Jameson lets out a long sigh. "Only if she would perform as well as you and Kiryuu have. Admirable indeed."
She smirks, "In my own way I'm proud that she hasn't."
"Oaths and all." He tsks with a shake of his head. "She will have to be broken in. Sooner or later."
Natalie smiles back at him, "That's where we differ. Not everything in this world needs to be dragged down into the muck."
He arches a brow at her. "What do you mean, Natalie?"
She keeps grinning, "Some trees can remain unbent by the storm."
His shoulders rise and fall with an inhale and he looks at her pointedly"Well, we like to put the Blade to those trees.†He breaks into a smile. "We will see who outlasts whom. Hm?"
She chuckles, "That we will Jameson."
"It is easier to bend, Natalie. Always easier to bend."
"That's true Jameson, but someone has to stay straight."
"Easier I suppose, if you were still a Sworn. To stick to the straight and narrow. But you had your chance at that already, aye?" His expression is... so smug.
Natalie shakes her head, "It's not that Jameson, if everyone bends, it becomes the new straight." she smiles despite his insult, "After the storm passes, we all need examples, of what we were like before we bent." She smiles and nods once, “Roen is that to me."
He blinks, his brows furrowing just slightly. The smug expression gives way to something just for a passing moment. "It is too bad, Natalie. That I work for the employer that I do. You and I could have been better friends."
She laughs, "Life is a mysterious thing Jameson, you never know what will happen. We might get that drink one day yet."
Jameson cocks his head then the sly expression returns. "Perhaps, Natalie. Perhaps." He inhales. "Well, job well done. You have your reward. Back to your usual duties you go."
She taps the folder, "Whatever happens in the future, thank you for this." she nods, "Until next time."
"I suppose I can check in on Anden about your girl's status." He bows courteously, "Always a pleasure doing business with you Natalie. Always a pleasure."
She nods and raps a finger against the packet with a smile, “Jameson, this is the first time I can say the same.â€
