MERC XVI: Morality is Relative; Professional Standards Aren't!

[Shadowcaller]

[Dipsnig's Office]

"We'll see if the oracle will reveal anything then." Astrana nods. "So was there anything else?"

[Morty]

[Dipsnig's Office]

"Nothing right now. Let me know when you've found something," Dipsnig says.

[Morty]

[Dipsnig's Office]

Later on, Dipsnig calls Fade and Jazirian there, as they signed up for a job he has for them.

[Zefir]

[Dipsnig's Office]

Fade will be there nearly immediatly after the call. He really got no hobby or anything to spend his free time so he mostly waits in the main Room.
"You called?" he speaks in his soundless voice.

[Ashen Lilies]

[Dipsnig's Office]

Jazirian arrives at that one place, dressed in that one thing.
"Hey boss, what's up." Says the dragon.

[Morty]

[Dipsnig's Office]

"There's a job that needs doing," Dipsnig says, getting straight to business. "You two declared yourselves available, and I believe you're suited." He presses a crystal on his bracer and brings up a holographic list. "Dena and a new member went exploring in what turned out to be the lair of a cult. It seems they're trying to find and free various demons that a divine being imprisoned. This might be valuable information for quite a few people, and we'll use it much better than some brain-addled cultists. So I'd like you to go and investigate at least some of those places."

[Zefir]

[Dipsnig's Office]

Fade nods. "What if we find them while they attemp to free something? Stop them at any cost?"

[Lost_Deep]

Around Base

Memento, Dena's pet Espurr? Remember him? He's here, looking for Dena. He has a piece of paper folded up in his hands, as he wanders the base. Dena's probably around here somewhere...

[Shadowcaller]

Around Base

Dena is in her room sunbathing in her bikini set with the help of the sun orb she has around. It even destroys some vampires and other sun-fearing critters. She looks up from her sunchair and lowers her sunglasses as Memento enters the room. "Whass'up?" She remarks, she could tell that the pokemon had something on his mind.

[Lost_Deep]

Around Base

The Espurr makes a little noise, and then holds the papers out to Dena. It's holding a folded piece of paper and a small envelope. The piece of paper is a message that was previously placed on the Wall. The envelope contains a message to Dena that says she was given a glowing recommendation and is invited to the event.

[Shadowcaller]

Around Base

Dena accepts the papers and gives them a skeptical look. "A cat-king?" She stares down at Momento with a raised eyebrow. "Ain't I supposed to be da' boss of ya?" The drow muses as she raises up from the sunlounger, placing her feet on the floor. "So what's this about, huh? Dueling? Sneaking? Sleeping? What am I to prepare for?"

[Lost_Deep]

Around Base

When Dena mentions being the boss, Memento makes a momentary pfft noise. At her question, it shrugs. Inside the flowery wording of the invitation there's a mention that it's a 'semi-formal' gathering.

What all will actually happen seems to have been neglected.

[Shadowcaller]

Around Base

The drow scratches the back of her head. Seemed kinda strange. Had Momento been hanging out with these cat people? When? "So this book. What do you do with it? Is it valuable? Sounds like the kind of thing you go bonkers by reading." Books were not really her deal, she had been in her twenties when she had learned reading.

[Lost_Deep]

Around Base

Memento shrugs again. Gee, that's helpful. It then makes a little noise like a hiccup, and points to an offhanded mention of drinks and food provided.

Uh-huh.

[Shadowcaller]

Around Base

Not a lot of information to go on. "So what's this 'cat kings' deal then? I gotta know something about these people if I'm expect to show up at this event. Why is he arranging this?" Cats rarely did things without self interest and judging by that wall post, the cat king was no different.

[Lost_Deep]

Around Base

Memento messes up some fur so that it looks like a raggedy mustache, picks up a pen, holds it like a scepter, and then waves it around while making a derpy face and blowing raspberries.

That's the cat king's deal.

[Shadowcaller]

Around Base

Dena laughs. "You should become a comedian little guy, that was sweet. Didn't tell me much though, guess I gotta look this thing up myself." Momento couldn't even speak! "So are you gonna partner up with me on this or...?"

[Ashen Lilies]

[Dipsnig's Office]

"There's a job that needs doing," Dipsnig says, getting straight to business. "You two declared yourselves available, and I believe you're suited." He presses a crystal on his bracer and brings up a holographic list. "Dena and a new member went exploring in what turned out to be the lair of a cult. It seems they're trying to find and free various demons that a divine being imprisoned. This might be valuable information for quite a few people, and we'll use it much better than some brain-addled cultists. So I'd like you to go and investigate at least some of those places."

[Dipsnig's Office]

"Sounds like a thing. When you say "brain-addled" though, does that mean "won't wear mixed fabrics" crazy or "virgin sacrifices" kind of crazy?" Jazirian happens to be one of those, and would very much like to not be sacrificed if he can help it, though given that they're trying to summon demons it's probably the latter.

[Morty]

[Dipsnig's Office]

"They're definitely of the virgin-sacrificing side of the spectrum," Dipsnig says, then goes on to answer Fade's question. "Don't engage them without a good reason. This is a recon job, not vigilantism."

[Planning Room]

In a secure planning room in the tunnnels just underneath the base, Dipsnig is working on a large spreadsheet. It as "Inside" crossed out and "Riverside" marked with an "OK" sign. Most of the sheet is occupied by Skyside, that the goblin is covering with a lot of writing, arrows and question marks.

[Zefir]

[Dipsnig's Office]

Fade just nods. Still when they are virgin-sacrificing people, he doubt he won't need his weapons.

[Ashen Lilies]

[Dipsnig's Office]

Jazirian frowns when he hears that. Virgin sacrifices were never good.

He doesn't have any further comment, though.

[Lost_Deep]

Around Base

Dena laughs. "You should become a comedian little guy, that was sweet. Didn't tell me much though, guess I gotta look this thing up myself." Momento couldn't even speak! "So are you gonna partner up with me on this or...?"

Memento smooths out its fur and then nods in a non-committal sort of way. It will be there, presumably.

[Morty]

[Dipsnig's Office]

"The first place you should check is a stone henge in a grassland area," Dipsnig says, consulting his bracer.

((Located in Random Plots, under the MERC Quest- The Henge of Tormented Souls tag.))

[Zefir]

[Dipsnig's Office]

Fade just nods and will head for the exit.

[Morty]

[Planning Room]

In a secure planning room in the tunnnels just underneath the base, Dipsnig is working on a large spreadsheet. It as "Inside" crossed out and "Riverside" marked with an "OK" sign. Most of the sheet is occupied by Skyside, that the goblin is covering with a lot of writing, arrows and question marks.

Dena and Kirk will be called there for a strategy meeting. They might remember their boss mentioning something about untapped potential in Skyside.

[Shadowcaller]

[Planning Room]

Dena shows up wearing a t-shirt and a bikini-bottom. "Sorry, was sunbathing when you called." At least she put on a shirt right? "So what's up?"

[Gullara]

[Planning Room]

Kirk shows up a few minutes later, actually dressed unlike Dena. When he walks in his eyes flit to Dena's legs and he smirks. "I never knew this was a pants optional meeting." He says before giving Dipsnig his attention. "So what's on the itinerary?"

[Morty]

[Planning Room]

Dipsnig turns around to look at the drow. His ears twitch when he sees what Dena chose to wear, but he decides to let it go. As they get into the room, they'll notice that most of the highly complicated chart behind the goblin is dedicated to Skyside. Mostly different influential groups and people therein, and possible avenues of dealing with them.

"Today's point of order is Skyside. The Union's trumped-up regulations reduced our operations in Inside noticeably, and we've got a good thing going with Malechenar in Riverside. So, time to turn elsewhere, and Skyside has a lot of untapped potential. We have an office there, and some business, but nothing major. And the city basically runs on private security and wetwork. There's no reason to keep letting other people provide it."

[Shadowcaller]

[Planning Room]

"I don't think my lack of pants are gonna' ruin the bosses plans but if he really wants I could get a pair." She eyes Dipsnig but as he simply starts his demonstration she sits down with her arms and legs crossed without giving Kirk so much as a glance.

She nods as the goblin finishes speaking. "'kay, but how are we gonna deal with da slavers and their 'wares'? Seems to me they are the ones willing to take up markets we can't compete with. Are we gonna mess with 'em or simply ignore 'em?"

[Gullara]

[Planning Room]

Kirk takes a seat as well, an amused little smile on his lips. "Those type might be resistant, since we have rather public views on slavery. The more people working for us, the more resistance there is for them. There may also be others that won't look kindly on outsiders butting in on their market. The way I see it, we need to put up an immediate strong presence. Don't let them ever see us as weak. If someone challenges us, we put them down hard."