Illuminati

Still arguing semantics, are we? - I guess I'll let him have this one. "Soon enough. I'll make sure they're ready to be submitted before the due date." She stood up and walked carefully towards the door, stepping over a few piles of papers as she went, "And maybe I'll send Avalon to help organize some paperwork for you." Opening the door she turned to address him one last time, "Have a good day and I'll be sure to drop by sometime soon, Tadi. Until then..." She raised a finger with bright red manicured nail to her lips, "Sssh..." and she closed the door behind her.

"Avalon is not a "lackey", as you suggest. Only thugs and thieves have lackeys. She's a valued employee - or at least she will be when she stops spilling coffee on everything. If your only objection is to my name then you can call me..." For a moment she hesitated as the name nearly sprang from her lips. A distant memory of a white flower came to mind and for an instant she wanted to change her response. Too late now, she thought as she continued, "Lilly. How would you like to contact me in future if Avalon isn't to your liking?"

"I'm sorry I've upset you, Mister West. May I call you that or do you prefer something else?" She stated calmly as she took her seat in the chair he indicated. Then she continued without stopping to allow his response, "I assume there is nothing wrong with my work, although as I stated, you only have the outlines. The finished product should be nothing short of spectacular. Again, my name is Illuminati - it means enlightened. I feel it's our duty to enlighten our readers and show some truth in this world, wouldn't you agree?"

A smile nearly passed her lips before she softly replied,"No, Mister West I'm fine, thank you. My name is Illuminati and I'm here to discuss our paper as per arranged." Once more without waiting, she glided past him and briefly looked around the room. When her eyes fell on the pictures of his travels she couldn't help but smile, "So you do have some culture, I see. I was half expecting a hermit who spent all his time in books and ink. Now which seat will you be most comfortable in so we can begin?"

If you want something done, do it yourself. She had heard the saying many times, and in this case she truly wished she had been able to follow it. When she instructed her retainer, Avalon, to arrange a meeting with The Lantern's new editor she assumed the girl would realize that it was to be done sometime under the cover of night. The woman pulled the hood of her white cowl further forward over her face to hide her features from passing strangers as she walked through the streets of Fisherman's Bottom. She approached the stone building that stood as the headquarters for the newspaper and noticed several pullers outside casting their lines while chatting quietly with one another. Subconsciously she averted her eyes as she passed, although she was more then sure all but her lips and chin were covered by the cowl. Without stopping to hear if any comments were made, she opened the door to the building and stepped inside. As she reached the top of the second floor she stared at the frosted window on the door in front of her with the words, "Tonberry's Lantern" across it. For a moment she stopped in her tracks, her hand still firmly on the polished stair rail, and swallowed deeply. Still not too late to back out now... Letting go of the rail she willed herself forward, raised her hand and knocked gently on the door... "Excuse me, Mister West," She said as she opened the door and stepped inside without an invitation, "I believe you've been waiting for me."

"Very well. Tomorrow afternoon. Have him come to my office. We can work out the details in person, including the issue of his anonymity." "I'll be sure to relay the message to Illuminati." Avalon made a mental note of the instructions then added,"I'm sorry the letter wasn't more pleasant." Tadir nods, then smiles at Avalon. "Sorry for the short tone there. I wasn't expecting a letter like this. It was a pleasure meeting you, though I wish it had been in different circumstances." "Agreed," she said as she returned the smile. Fumbling in her robes again she pulled out a brown book and turned to a particular page. Article 6 1. No fraternization whatsoever will be tolerated while on company time. She sighed inwardly and returned the book to her pocket, "Take care, Mister West!" He gave her a polite nod farewell and left towards the side exit. Over his shoulder as he crossed the exit he added, "Have a wonderful day." Turning back around she looked at the fish tank again and looked for the fish who had caught her attention before. It was swimming around the bottom near the rocks pulling at a few of the fake plants. With a wave she said, "That could have gone a bit better. All well, I guess my first job is mostly a success. Goodbye, Mister or Misses Fish!"

Avalon stood stunned with her eyes wide and mouth slightly open. She wasn't exactly sure what had happened and for a moment she thought to correct him on a few points. Closing her mouth again she considered her position before responding, "Very well, Mister West. My employer thought you might ask to arrange a meeting and would like to know exactly where and when, although they would like to remind you their identity will remain anonymous."

Avalon was about to answer the man's question when she noticed his expression change. She didn't know what was in the letter, but she hoped it wasn't something bad. Since she began her new job people usually seemed so cheerful and upbeat after doing business with her generous employer so his reaction seemed quite strange. He turned his attention back towards her and his mannerisms returned to normal as he smiled once again, "Your name? And who is this employer of yours? Illuminati isn't exactly a descriptive name." "Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Avalon and it's a pleasure to meet you, Mister West," She gave him a smile and a polite nod before continuing, "My employer insists their identity remain anonymous at this time so "Illuminati" is the only name you'll receive. Illuminati has also instructed me to deliver messages between the two of you and assist you with anything you need, expenses included. So, is there anything I can do for you, Mister West?"

Avalon gasped and placed a hand across her racing heart as she quickly whirled around in surprise. She stood speechless for a moment as she looked over the man in front of her. He was fairly tall with brown hair, gray eyes, and an amused smile across his face. Although his clothes were well tailored they had a few patches of dirt and a few spots of ink here and there as testament to his writing. Suddenly she realized how silly her reaction had been and her cheeks began to turn pink as she fumbled for the letter in her pocket, "Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to uh- I have a letter for you, Mister West." Still appearing a bit flustered, she pulled the letter out and looked down at it. Instantly she noticed it had become a wrinkled, bent mess in her pocket. She swiftly placed it against her knee and used the flat of her hand to try to straighten it out a bit before offering it up to him once more, "My employer asked me to deliver it to you personally this morning."

The sun rose over Fisherman's Bottom in a glorious array of pinks and oranges. Fresh, salty and cold wind gently blew the sea's waves back and forth under the wooden walkways. In the distance a man was whistling a upbeat sea shanty from the deck of one of many of the ships anchored in the port. Avalon smiled brightly at the morning sun as she strode through the streets with a slight spring in her step. In right hand she held a thin white envelope with a white wax seal on one side and a name written in red ink on the other. This particular delivery was her first real job and she was determined to do it right! A sparkle shown in her green eyes as she thought how lucky she was to work for an employer who was so generous with her salary, even if it meant taking on a few extra responsibilities. Reaching up with her free hand she held tightly to the yellow beret that protected her lemon blonde hair from the breeze and nodded in greeting as she passed another girl who was holding a basket full of fish for the markets. As she reached the Fisherman's Guild she stopped short and furrowed her brow in deep thought. Her employer had been unable to give her a physical description of the particular gentleman she was looking for, which she suddenly realized left her in a bit of a bind. Avalon looked down at the letter in her hand and read the name one more time - Tadir West. Apparently he was a newspaper editor but this seemed like a very odd place to find such a person. When she thought of an editor she pictured a short, aging man with a monocle, cigar and a green visor behind a desk full of papers shouting orders. Somehow she doubted someone like that could be found anywhere near the Vylbrand Sea. Near the stone guild building a mithra with long white hair tucked under a straw fishing hat stood watching the end of her line as it bobbed up and down in the water. Plucking up her courage, Avalon stepped towards her, clearing her throat before she spoke, "Excuse me, do you know a Mister Tadir West?" "Nope, sorry girly never heard of 'em." She shook her head as she spoke but didn't bother to look up from her task. "Oh... well, thank you anyway." Avalon gave her a small smile which went unnoticed as she walked away. Avalon wandered into the fisherman's guild and past a few people who were standing near the doorway. In the center of the room on the first level was a large pool of water with several fountains on the sides. For a moment she wondered if it had fish inside and she felt tempted to go take a peek, but decided not to let her curiosity get the the better of her. Off to her left was a large counter where three people stood to attend to visitors. I wonder if these people know who I'm looking for, she thought as she approached. The Elezen man behind the counter wore the same straw hat all the fisherman seemed to don and a bright white tunic. He stood tall with his hands behind his back and as Avalon reached the counter he said, "I have here behind me a wide variety of goodly goodies waiting to be snatched up by he who comes bearing gloriously golden guild marks!" "Umm... no thank you," Avalon shook her head as she held out the letter with the name face up, "Do you happen to know a Mister Tadir West, sir?" The man nodded curtly and stated, "He comes in here often enough. Would you like me to deliver that to him?" She mulled the suggestion over in her head a moment before tucking the letter into the pocket of her yellow robe, "No, I think I'd better deliver this myself. If you don't mind I'll just wait for him over there." I hope I don't have to wait too long, Avalon thought as she casually meandered over to a large fish tank built into the back wall of the guild. She leaned over and watched the tiny creatures darting back and forth in their home. A strangely colored blue and purple fish that seemed to glow caught her attention. As she observed it and with a giggle she said, "You don't happen to be the elusive Mister Tadir West, are you?"