[img]https://i.imgur.com/TiCSHec.png[/img]
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[h3]Dina[/h3]
4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3
7 | 10 | 7 | 20 | 7
Reinforcement/Beast | Power of Friendship/Avatar
True Sight | Reverence | Diehard | Lure | Overcity Shift | Flexibility | Gifted 
Free Agent| Magical Overload
Alone | Monstruous Form 
Non Standard Limbs | Builder | Second Specialization(Beast) | Broken Reincarnation [/center][/hider]
[@Ariamis]

It was a dark night, as Dina, guided by Sanngridr, was led to one of the many back-alleys of Penrose. It was an inconspicuous location, yet it harbored a secret entrance; Sanngridr lifted a hand before her, and a section of the wall was engulfed in shadow. Then, in the darkness, a doorway appeared. Beyond it was what looked like a jazz club of ages past, only it was monochrome in hue. Once inside, the portal closed behind the two, and a shadowy figure appeared, holding a glass of wine in his hands. The figure had a menacing demeanor to it, but the stranger’s smile promised hospitality.

“Miss Denisova, welcome to my humble abode. I am Al Scarpe.” He bowed, and afterwards let a shadowy wisp float another glass to her. “Would you like something to drink? It’s on the house.”

Dina Denisova peered in the dark of the room, a dirty monochrome permeating the whole place. Others found it disturbing, but for Dina… it beckoned of her youth, of ages past. She turned her head to the sides, admiring the decoration. “It’s been ages since I have seen this kind of place, mister Scarpe. You know your craft.” The catgirl eyed the glass.

“Vodka… and leave the bottle.” She said back, before eyeing Al Scarpe.

"It's not so much craft as simply an eye for style. Nonetheless, I am flattered by the kind words."
A Shadow extended over to the bar counter, and a bottle of vodka was brought before Dina.
"I didn't take you for a woman of such fine taste, Miss Denisova. Most guests would rather have American drinks."

Dina took the bottle on her hand before pouring a generous serving of the spirit, and in a single gulp chugging it down, before licking the back of her hand in a most catlike fashion. She then poured another shot.

"Well, I come from a… fancier background than most people of this city. I was… in my youth a retainer ot the Romanovs. Does your file say that?I bet it does." She would eye Al.

Al lifted an eyebrow. "An interesting bet you've made there, Miss Denisova, considering what you're implying." He shrugged. "But I suppose it would be an accurate deduction; I am aware of your venerable career with the Russian tzars, yes. It is an honor to have such an esteemed person in my abode." He bowed.

Dina let out a small, haughty chuckle. "Do not take me for one of the whelps you can cajole with sweet promises of power, signore Scarpe." Dina added. "In order for the Mint to be the Mint, it has to know a lot of things. Fingers in…everyone's pies. Even in Beacon. Even in Sanctuary." Dina would then add. "Shall we go straight to the point, then?"

Al chuckled, seemingly amused by Dina's forward nature. "Of course, Miss Denisova. But first, I would like to apologize."
He set his glass to float next to him, and brought out a small black notebook. "Some time ago unsavoury individuals trespassed upon Sanctuary." He closed the notebook, and tucked it back in his pocket.
"It seems that unbeknownst to me at the time, some Mint agents were sent to sabotage the community's peace. I learned that another broker attempted to wrest control over Penrose from me by means of sabotaging the friendly relations I have attempted to establish here, and to agitate Penny Asimov and Beacon against me. Of course, I have dealt with the wiseguy in the appropriate manner, but by then it was too late to prevent the tragic aftermath."
He bowed again.
"I apologize for the disruption my less scrupulous associates caused."

Dina spun her glass, raising an eyebrow at Al's declaration, as she placed it. "So that is how you are going to play it, isn't it." Dina said. "Would you please call Sanngridr in here?"

"It would be my pleasure," Al responded, and snapped his fingers; the entrance to the jazz club opened again, and Sanngridr stepped inside.
"It seems Miss Denisova would like to speak to you," she spoke to the agent, and took out a cigar.

Sanngridr tilted her head, before entering with a huge grin. Her eyes locked with those of the regent.

"Varangian." She said. "Please kill this churl. He has insulted my intelligence."

Sanngridr seemed to reach for her sword, but hesitating.

"Can't do it? Well that much was expected. It's a hard order to comply. After all…we all know where your loyalties are."

Al lifted a relaxed hand. "Please, there is no need for violence, Miss Denisova. After all, that was not the reason you arrived here, correct? Otherwise you would have brought arms to bear against me."
He lit his cigar.
"No, I believe you came here to discuss business."

"Realpolitik as they say." Dina sighed, as she waved Sanngridr away. "Most people don't survive enough to realize this is a thing. Well, the powers that be use teenagers with more hormones than sense. People like me are anomalies." She drank another gulp. "Your folks have been quite the brigands lately. But there is so much you can coerce and money pinch with war knocking at one's door." She added. "War is bad for business."

Al's friendly disposition subtly tensed once the topic of war was brought up. "Indeed." He took a puff of his cigar, letting the smoke disperse quickly into the air.
"It has come to my attention that a rogue by the name of the March Hare was spotted in the Industrial district. If that is the case, it can only mean that Wonderland has mobilized." He glanced over to the bar counter. "In time, Penrose will become a warzone."

Dina sighed. "We must row in the same direction… and not be picky about extra arms." The catgirl nodded. "I do believe there is something the Mint would love to do… but it needs backing." Dina elaborated.

"After all you can't risk losing your footing and for example San Francisco Silvia Bialletti or some other broker takes your slice of pie, right?" Dina added. 

Al's eyes sharpened on mention of Bialletti. However, they quickly relaxed.
"You are quite well-informed, Miss Denisova. The Mint would view Wonderland's current moves as a possible liability to their business, considering their unpredictability." He then put the cigar away. "With that in mind, I am interested to hear your thoughts on it."

Dina took a sip. "Good old fashioned plunder, Al. I heard privateering can be quite profitable… and the magical world does not adhere to the Geneva convention. But in this case It's not Beacon. Nor Sanctuary as a target." Dina said. "The current… Queen is too aligned to even dedicate her time for such unwholesome methods."

Al nodded, a hand on his chin. "That is understandable. What would you propose then?"

Dina would polish the glass. "You get to keep everything you plunder. I tell you where to disrupt this peculiar army in terms of logistics. Make some real noise… like that…time." Dina said, narrowing her eyes. She still remembered all the trouble Oros caused.

"I will also convince the current Beacon loving monster girls to not attack you on sight."

An evil smile formed on Al's lips. "Hmm…I do like the sound of that." But then, his expression turned back to neutral. "The Mint is willing to contribute to this collaboration in the manner you have described." He then reached his hand in his coat, and produced a golden scroll.
"Let's make it official, shall we?"

Casting her sight on the contract, she nodded as she waited on Al's offering to sign the parchment. "We should also convene the means to get in touch."

"That won't be a problem at all. I'll arrange one of our agents to act as the contact point." He gave a black walkie talkie to Dina, and began writing on the golden scroll with a similarly gilded feather quill. "You may use that to contact the agent. However, I suggest you do not tamper with it, magically or otherwise. It is set to melt away upon sensing foul play. A safety precaution, you understand." Once he was done writing the terms, he let it float over to Dina. "You may modify the terms yourself as well, and once we both are in agreement the contract is formed."

Dina then read upon the terms, frowning at some points, but overall seemingly satisfied at the terms. "Well that is one thing out of the way." She added before extending a hand. "I hope for a seamless and fruitful cooperation."

"Likewise, Miss Denisova," Al said as he took one last look at the finalized document, and then added his own signature to it. The scroll flashed brilliantly, and Al placed it in his pocket.
"He then shook Dina's hand in a gentlemanly manner, and a Shadow brought another vodka bottle.

"There might be something else that I might discuss with you." Dina added.

Al lifted a curious eyebrow. "Oh? And I was about to toast to the beginning of our mutually beneficial agreement." He lowered the glass with an interested look.
"What do you have in mind, Miss?"

"Well…" Dina began to search her mind for the words, only to not say anything. "Nevermind. To the end of this war." Dina said, trying to shift the topic after a moment of hesitation.

[i]Can't let them know how shaky the lack of patron can make me. Weakness unto strength, Dina. They need you. Penrose needs you. Running away is not an option. You’ve become too involved to turn back.[/i]