MERC XVII: You Can't Take the Pay From Me

[Zefir]

[Dipsnig's Office]

"She's certainly aware of it," Dipsnig says. "If she connects Jacob to us, the fake death will likely not work. Are the demon sheep not enough for Astrana's purposes? I know some of her rituals demand specific species."

[Dipsnig's Office]

"Illophen shouldn't know about me or my connection to MERC." Fade replies. "If a MERC member leads Nadas through an area I could attack them. In best case I beat them without mayor injuries and do the fake death."

[Shadowcaller]

[Astrana's Office]

Astrana leans against her desk as she talks. "It's nice, a lot calmer than trog's even if regarded as darker by most people. I think a lot of MERC members are regulars there so I figured I'd check it out. Taverns aren't really my style though. I prefer just being around the base."

[Artemis97]

[Astrana's Office]

"But how will you ever meet new people? Unless they're half dead and teleported in for emergency reasons." He grins, self depreciatingly. "Seriously, though, it's quiet around here. Do you get a lot of clients?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Astrana's Office]

The tiefling shaker her head, smiling at his little joke. "Here at the base? Not much, people usually go to the offices MERC have in the cities for that, the base being where it is." High up in the mountains. "People come to me when they need help with missions, so I don't meet a lot of customers like yourself. But I don't mind, I've lived a pretty dangerous life so it is nice with some calm and safety for a change. Regular working hours, steady payment... how can I complain?"

[Artemis97]

[Astrana's Office]

"I don't know." Raril shrugs. "It sounds boring to me. But what do I know? The first thing I can remember is nearly dying. Maybe my excitement bar is set to high."

[Shadowcaller]

[Astrana's Office]

Astrana giggles. "Yeah, that's very true. You were born in excitement one could say. I do get out hunting sometimes though, if you count that as exciting." She jumps up a bit to take a seat upon the desk, her big tail moving down her leg. "I suppose you're right though, live has been rather slow for me lately. I got a boyfriend and kids... life just seem predictable from henceforth." She pauses, considering. "I suppose you're free from all that right now though, whatever course your life had has been set off. Like you've started all over again, completely free from previous arrangements. Who knows, maybe you were all bitter before, your people do live pretty long lives, right?"

[Artemis97]

[Astrana's Office]

Raril frowns. "What if I am? I mean, we know I'm a killer, and a monster...What if I just make a new start of it? Someone wants me dead, for gods' sakes. Surely I messed up somewhere."

[Shadowcaller]

[Astrana's Office]

"But you don't know yet, do you? Maybe you should try to find out more about your old life first? I mean, while the memories are gone, the problems aren't. What if you owe someone money, or the combination to your money? You'd end up in a lot of trouble quickly without having any idea what to do. Whatever enemies you might have got would definitely try to exploit it, that person claiming to be your friend might in reality be the butcher that murdered the love of your life before your very eyes."

[Artemis97]

[Astrana's Office]

Raril blinks at Astrana. "Whoa... that's... serious. What about this Dipsnig guy? He's supposed to know who I am. And he put enough resources into getting me safe, too. I feel like he probably won't stab me in the back."

[Recaiden]

Knock-knock! Someone's here from Southside. One of those draconic humanoids, although this one, she looks kind of shrimpy compared to most of the ones in the invasion, and her uniform is completely bereft of badges and medals.

[Deathkeeper]

Westside Office

Krayger will answer the door. He could get one of his lackeys to do it, but he's never been that kind of guy. So the minotaur is the one who opens the door.
"What can MERC do for ya?" he asks.

[Recaiden]

The lackey smiles politely at Krayger.

"Hopefully they can provide us with a mercenary to do some information gathering."

[Deathkeeper]

Westside

Krayger moves aside.
"We have plenty of mercenaries skilled at recon and information. Please, come inside and we can do business." he says, holding up a hand.

[Recaiden]

"Thank you."
The lackey enters, stopping for a handshake.
"This job is a little unusual. We're looking to hire a specific person based on the request of someone in the intelligence department, who they'd be working with."

[Deathkeeper]

Westside

Handshake!
"Alright, who were you recommended? I'm sure I can give them a call." Krayger offers. It is simpler this way.

[Recaiden]

"That would be 'Dena Xifhara'." The lackey answers.
"Helpful, thank you."

[Deathkeeper]

Westside

Krayger nods and gets out his phone.
Of course it's for Dena. It's like barely anyone else works here. Krayger dials the gorgon's number.

[Shadowcaller]

Westside

"y'hello? Dena speaking." Is the reply on the other end of the line.

[Astrana's Office]

Astrana strokes her chin thoughtfully again. "Mr. Razortooth is apparently interested in getting your memory back, if Electra is to be believed. If he would gain something of you being like this, he probably wouldn't want that to happen. Not to mention that you got proof that MERC members visit the BDD, as two of them were there to rescue you during that fight. Therefore, it seems reasonable that you two have some kind of business connection. Perhaps that you service his crew somehow, which might be why they were loyal enough to rescue you in the first place." She deduces.

[Deathkeeper]

Westside

"This is Krayger, at the Westside office. A client has asked to hire you by name, Lt. Xifhara. Information gathering." Krayger says formally to the drow on the line.

[Shadowcaller]

Westside

"Me, by name? Should have called this number instead. Just who is this client? Describe them for me." Dena replies.

[Deathkeeper]

Westside

"Small, draconic, wearing a uniform. Might be from Southside." he says, then covers the receiver.
"What organization do you work for?" he asks the lackey.

[Artemis97]

[Astrana's Office]

"I must be good to them for something, at least, right? Else why rescue me?" Raril asks with a wry grin.

[Recaiden]

"The City of Southside, sir. You were correct."
Now, if Krayger is going to do all the talking to Dena, that's that.

[Shadowcaller]

Westside

"Alright? I guess you can let him up to my office." What in the world did Southside want with her?

[Astrana's Office]

"I must be good to them for something, at least, right? Else why rescue me?" Raril asks with a wry grin.

[Astrana's Office]

Astrana smiles back. "I figure so, I'm sure that you do more than just own a tavern. Whatever that is." She crosses her legs. "So have you figured out how you want to handle your soul? Or should I give you some time to think?"

[Artemis97]

[Astrana's Office]

Raril shrugs. "I don't know. I think I should talk to Dipsnig first, get a read on who I was, before I decide exactly how I want to move forward."

[Green Elf]

[Astrana's Office 2]

Fade isn't ignoring her. He just kind of cares for his stuff.
"It might not be nessesary. He doesn't know the name. Still he proofed that Illophen got a creature you described. Thanks for your work." he then turns to jakob.
"Illophen got a tracking device on Nadas and you should tell Astrana why you are here."
He will then head out of the Office.

Jacob turns to Fade. "I came to catch up on the status of the mission, bit I believe I just did. Do we have a plan?" He follows Fade out of the office. (Sorry Astrana)

[Gullara]

[Kirk's Room]

In the late late morning, Kirk has apparently woken. He doesn't come out, but anyone within earstot will hear the sound of something being smashed to pieces from inside his room.

[Deathkeeper]

West side

"Her." Krayger corrects before hanging up.
"You're clear. Head upstairs, second door in the left." he instructs the lackey.

[Recaiden]

"Thank you, sir."
The lackey smiles and follows Krayger's directions. Up the stairs, down the hall, get out sunglasses and put them on before knocking on the door.

[Shadowcaller]

[Westside Mansion-Office]

"Right, her." Dena repeats before she hangs up.

Then as someone knocks on the door, she replies. "Come on in, feel yourself at home."

[Astrana's Office]

Raril shrugs. "I don't know. I think I should talk to Dipsnig first, get a read on who I was, before I decide exactly how I want to move forward."

[Astrana's Office]

"We could visit him right now if you want. He should be back by now." The tiefling suggests.

[Kirk's Room]

In the late late morning, Kirk has apparently woken. He doesn't come out, but anyone within earstot will hear the sound of something being smashed to pieces from inside his room.

[Kirk's Room]

Welp, someone had to make sure he was alright in there. Dena will sneak up to his door and press her ear against it. Needed to figure out what the situation was in the first.