[center][h1][color=f7976a]Xenos[/color][/h1][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/SzUn3y2.png?1[/img][/center] [hider=The afternoon after abandoning River] "[color=f9ad81]Uuuuugh we’ve been wandering around for so looooong.[/color]” Xenos complained. "[color=f9ad81]I just want to get this over with so I can jack up my skills! I have plans and shit and this is not one of them![/color]” Xenos kicked a rock on the ground before he slapped River on the arm lightly. "[color=f9ad81]Just send the guy a PM and have him meet us for breakfast. My plan is going to get in the way of the festival at this rate. I’m not dropping the efficiency of gains just for this quest.[/color]" Xenos frowned thoughtfully before pulling up the dashboard, groaning at the time. "[color=f9ad81]I’ll just readjust my plan of attack for this.[/color]” Xenos headed off, waving quickly to River and sauntered away. First and foremost, a friendly face and hopefully some information. He grinned when he spied a familiar face struggling with a rather large bouquet. [hider=Marie][img]http://pm1.narvii.com/6587/5294974794783534a86213d2cf67b99634100a9c_hq.jpg[/img][/hider] [color=f9ad81]“Marie!”[/color] He jogged up to her as she turned, a smile wide across her face. [color=f9ad81]“What are you doing just wandering around here huh?”[/color] He jokingly chastised her. [color=ec008c]“Flowers for the shop!”[/color] The girl, no older than six, displayed the fresh flowers proudly. [color=ec008c]“I told Grandpa we should get pink flowers but Grandpa really really wanted purple so I got purple but the lady was nice and gave me blue ones too!”[/color] A few flowers slipped out of the bouquet as she swung it around excitedly. Xenos chuckled. [color=f9ad81]“Well darling, you've done a good job! Sebastian is going to be so happy with all these!”[/color] Xenos beamed down at the girl. [color=f9ad81]“How is your arithmetic, Sebastian still have you working hard?”[/color] the girl's face scrunched up. [color=ec008c]“I don't like numbers.”[/color] She grumbled as they walked. [color=ec008c]“They're hard. I like painting better.”[/color] Xenos reached down and picked the girl up, mostly to save the poor flowers from being dragged on the flower and bopped her on the nose. He continued on once he hand her comfortably situated on one hip. [color=f9ad81]“Didn't you want to take over the shop from Grandpa one day?”[/color] Marie nodded. [color=f9ad81]“Well, you'll need numbers for all sorts of stuff. Counting money, measuring out ingredients, keeping track of the number of boys you have crushes on.”[/color] He laughed as Marie muttered [color=ec008c]“Boys are gross.”[/color] [color=f9ad81]“I'm wounded my Princess! After I've willing been your steed, you think me gross!”[/color] He set her down in front of the family's shop and clutched at his chest dramatically .[color=f9ad81] “Oh the betrayal! Sebastian, you're raising a heartbreaker already!”[/color] The Old Man raised his eyebrows as he thanked the girl and replaced the flowers at the front of the stall. [hider=Sebastian][img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/kanon/images/3/3e/The_Suspicious_Shop%27s_Old_Shopkeeper.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20121208114851[/img][/hider] [color=ed1c24]“There, there.”[/color] Sebastian flipped some kebabs on his grill. [color=ed1c24]“Marie pull out your numbers now that Xenos is here. Show him what you've done today.”[/color] Xenos leaned on the counter as Marie pouted but laid out her papers. He checked over it, pointing out errors here and there. [color=f9ad81]“So anything exciting today pops?”[/color] Xenos asked as he worked with Marie. [color=f9ad81]“Crazy customers, fun gossip, the likes?”[/color] [color=ed1c24]“Well, actually...”[/color] Sebastian glanced over to Xenos and beckoned him closer. Xenos leaned in excitedly. [color=ed1c24]“Gossip only starts trouble.”[/color] Sebastian stage whispered to the adventurer. Xenos' face fell flat as he glared at Sebastian’s back, shoulders shaking. Old people. How rude. [color=ed1c24]“But actually yes.”[/color] Sebastian pulled two kebabs off and handed them to Xenos, who dropped a silver on the counter. [color=ed1c24]“It seems some guild of adventurers is contesting the Miners Guild rights over the mine's resources. A few of the shopkeeps and the blacksmiths have already gotten together over the issue. People are muttering about how the adventurers are moving to cut out us citizens.”[/color] Sebastian shrugged and helped another person while Xenos chewed on his food. It was only a matter of time until someone else had the same idea he did. Xenos made faces as he mimed a rather annoying customer to Marie, keeping the girl giggling. If they really were planning on crushing competition, his life was about to get way more difficult and that was not acceptable. That needed to be stopped. Xenos opened the dashboard, reading over Datalink 66 information. He should subscribe to that newsletter. If this is how the game is going to be played, he needed all the information he could get. He spent another hour chatting with Sebastian and Marie, wishing them both a good evening and promising Marie a present the next time he showed up. [/hider] [hider=Evening] [hider=Data Link 66][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/9D6A2q8.jpg[/img][/center][/hider] It took some questioning from several players and NPCs but Xenos managed to find the Guild House of the guild Data Link 66. It was located on the outskirts of the city, in one of the less-luxurious neighborhoods. The building itself nestled in between other, smaller houses. It was 2 stories high with no more than 3-4 rooms. Xenos entered the entrance on top of the small, stone stairway. [hider=Data Link 66 Guild Member][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/De4yvdK.png[/img][/center][/hider] [color=blue]”Welcome to Data Link 66, your primary information network~”[/color] A cheerful voice comes from a girl dressed smartly. She rises up from behind a desk to greet you. You look around and don’t see anyone else. You guess that they are all either out or upstairs at the moment. [color=blue]”Would you be interested in joining our exclusive daily mail list?”[/color] [color=f9ad81]"Actually, thanks for reminding me! I did want to do that!"[/color] Xenos responded cheerfully as he waltzed up to her. [color=f9ad81]"But I need a bit more than that I think, beautiful. Some of the NPCs in town are all abuzz and I was wondering if I could source them here."[/color] [color=blue]”Abuzz… regarding what? If you have any specifics…”[/color] The girl scratched the side of her head with a pondering tone. [color=blue]”Well, there’s the Solace Festival coming up, which I’m sure you’ve heard of. I hear that there are some major guild-related activities going on out there...”[/color] [color=f9ad81]"That'll be exciting to be sure! Actually I think I'm going to be doing the whole guard duty quest and such but no."[/color] He tapped lightly on the desk. [color=f9ad81]"I'm much more interested in the guild trying to get their hands on resource rights."[/color] The girl's expression changed into a sly smirk. [color=blue]"Ah yes of course... looking for information on other guilds."[/color] She leaned in a little closer to Xenos' face. [color=blue]"Unfortunately, we aren't allowed to reveal such... valuable commodities for free."[/color] [color=f9ad81]"I should of started with that apparently. You look down right devilish like this."[/color] His own smile turned to a smirk and he leaned forward on the desk. [color=f9ad81]"I wouldn't presume that is free. But what's the going rate for the fun stuff?"[/color] [color=blue]"I hear that often~"[/color] The girl smiled. [color=blue]"I did used to work at a information brokers' firm."[/color] She proceeded to pull out a scroll and a quill from the drawers in the desk. [color=blue]"First, I will need your name and any affiliations. Guild rules."[/color] [color=f9ad81]"Xenos Fontaine. And currently unaffiliated. Hopefully, I can twist the Legion of Wolf in my favor after this though."[/color] Xenos stilled his finger. [color=f9ad81]"And I wouldn't mind meeting the devil herself later over drinks, completely separate from business that is."[/color] The girl scribbled down on the parchment, dipping the quill into the pot of ink every so often. [color=blue]"Maybe if I have the time."[/color] She sighed a little. [color=blue]"Business has been booming and they need me here most of the time."[/color] She finished recording Xenos' information. [color=blue]"Well... Business first though right?"[/color] [color=f9ad81]"I feel like you should request for paid time off as a benefit if you're here that much. But we could always just slip away for an evening, I'm sure we can find someone distracting enough."[/color] He winked and straightened. [color=f9ad81]"But yes, business first. I need info on that guild and the deal it's brokering, maybe something on the council members just because. So where do we go from here?”[/color] [color=blue]"Well..."[/color]The girl tapped her dry quill against the parchment. [color=blue]"There are really only 2 ways to... buy information. First is the obvious; you grease some palms. Second though..."[/color] She looked at Xenos.[color=blue] "Information can be worth.... Information."[/color] Xenos raised an eyebrow at the pause, smirk still firmly in place. [color=f9ad81]"And what sort of information could possibly interest the darling devil? I imagine a lowly tinker couldn't possibly get his fingers into anything you don't have your fingers in already. Though..."[/color] He cocked his head. [color=f9ad81]"I never could turn down a challenge."[/color] She gave out a small chuckle. [color=blue]"Let's be honest here, you don't seem like someone who knows this business too well. I'm going to guess that you don't have any information that are worth anything."[/color] She grinned a little more innocently however afterwards. [color=blue]"And save the flattery for the off-time.... if I can get some."[/color] She paused for a moment.[color=blue] "As charming as you are, I'm gonna need to see some coins for what you want. Tell you what, 2 silvers and I'll tell you what the word is on the streets."[/color] [color=f9ad81]"Tis true, I'm afraid this business is a tad out of my league. I'm much more suited to forges than politics but I'm desperate."[/color] He shrugged. [color=f9ad81]"And I guess I'll try and save the flattery for later. You just make it so easy."[/color] He chuckled. [color=f9ad81]"Though call me greedy, I need a bit more than word on the street. Three new subscribers and dungeon clear data is worth a hell a lot more than two silvers, especially with an organized guild interested in one of those, wouldn't you agree?"[/color] [color=blue]"Well, what is it exactly that you wish to know?"[/color] [color=f9ad81]"I need to know what their terms are and what their bargaining chip is. I doubt the Council would change a functional system unless a hefty incentive was flashed in front of them. That could just be me being cynical but meh."[/color] Xenos shrugged. [color=f9ad81]"Though if you don't have it, I'll settle for word on the street. Yours is likely more reliable than our panicking NPCs."[/color] [color=blue]"I see I see...."[/color] The girl turned around and started rummaging through the rows of drawers, opening and closing them in search of something. Eventually she pulled out a scroll with a red ribbon tied on it. She came back to the desk to face Xenos. [color=blue]"One of the latest reports from one of our reporters regarding the subject you are talking about."[/color] She put the scroll on the table. [color=blue]"I assure you, it is much more than just words on the street. But 2 Silvers is what you'll be paying for the bare gist."[/color] [color=blue]"Or more."[/color] She continued after a pause. [color=blue]"Contents of this scroll is much more than some Silvers."[/color] [color=f9ad81]"I'll take it off your hands for three gold."[/color] Xenos paused. [color=f9ad81]"And four weeks subscription for myself paid in full. So, four gold total."[/color] The girl smiled. [color=blue]"I'm afraid the entirety of the report it's worth much more than that. It comes from a very reliable source and contains much more details than what we are speaking of. But for 3 Golds.... I'll let you know what they are trading, what their terms are and what they are up to at the moment."[/color] Xenos gabbed the coins from his inventory and slid them over to the woman. The girl pulled out another scroll with some terms on it after picking up the coins gleefully. [color=blue]"Sign here. Basically says neither party will reveal anything about what happens here and now." [/color] [color=f9ad81]"My lips are sealed."[/color] He mines zipping his mouth shut and signs. [color=blue]"Astral Blades is trying to sign a deal with the Council ruling Genesis City for the exclusive rights to protect Crystal caravans. Stuff used as ingredients for most magic items. If they get the deal signed, they'll be paid steady income daily in return for their combative services. I hear... something around a Mithril a day..." [/color]She licked her lips for a breath before continuing. [color=blue]"But Council isn't about to bring out the big coins unless they are sure Astral Blades can be depended on. So as a sign of allegiance and to demonstrate their capabilities, they've decided to flush out the latest drug ring that's been developing.”[/color] [color=f9ad81]"Of course it's a drug ring. Whoever started that really capitalized on this whole depressed players issue. I almost want to applaud them for their ingenuity."[/color] Xenos shrugged. [color=f9ad81]"Anyways, thanks for the info. Glad to hear my interests and theirs aren't crossing. Now can I pay for a week of this subscription now or do you guys accept it another way?"[/color] [color=blue]"We accept coins. As usual. People usually sign on weekly and come by here to pay. If you want to pay for 4 weeks, that'll be a Gold. It gets released every 7 days so.... we'll have our first issue tomorrow!"[/color] [color=f9ad81]"Fantastic!"[/color] Xenos dropped another gold on the counter. [color=f9ad81]"I'll pay ahead because otherwise I'll forget and who wants that."[/color] The girl smiled and put the coins away. [color=blue]"I hope you got what you came for. We do like priding ourselves on our.... services."[/color] She began organizing her desk and putting the scrolls and parchments away. [color=blue]"Both regular news and.... irregular information."[/color] Xenos gave a little bow and smiled cheerfully.[color=f9ad81] "I got more than I expected really but pleasant surprises all around.I appreciate you time."[/color] He turned to leave but stopped at the door. [color=f9ad81]"And please feel free to take me up on my offer whenever! I'm always down to have some fun!"[/color] He waved and headed out. [/hider] Xenos rolled out of the bed he shared with River, groggy after another nightmare. He stumbled out of the room and into the inn, slouching at a table. He rubbed at his eyes and blinked a few times, clearing out the last vestiges of sleep before ordering a glass of water. Probably should since he hasn’t had some in a bit. Now for the waiting game. He absently swirled his drink, waiting for River and Reylan. As long as River followed directions, everything should get neatly set up today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [sub]Summary: Spent a silver on lunch Spent 3 gold on information Spent 1 Gold on four weeks subscription from Data Link 66 [/sub]