Business Interrupted

[Navarre]

Navarre's smile widened as she watched the gnome leave. She saw him shaking, despite his efforts to remain dignified. As soon as her next wave of propaganda hit the streets, he and many others would be labeled enemies of Marn. The public would scorn them, and in time that scorn would turn to violence. And once the purge commenced, she would use their corpses as stepping stones to a position within the government. Now, she only needed to bide her time while the flames of hatred spread throughout the city.

Her eyes fell on Peppercorn. Ah, so she wanted protection, did she? Fair enough. After all, it was the least she could do to repay her for her cooperation. Besides, providing Peppercorn with further assistance would be good publicity. She doubted Lars would actually attack Peppercorn or her loved ones, especially since he would be suspect number one, but that was irrelevant. Certainly, Modestine wouldn't mind if she dipped into his treasury for their cause.

"You're right to be concerned, dear. Although the city guard does its best to protect civilians, one must never underestimate Marn's enemies. It would be my honor to provide you and your loved ones with special protection. Either way, I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it if I were you: I doubt our darling Lars or his degenerate companion will be wandering the streets for much longer."

Navarre looked through the window at Lars and Eirene, and her smile twisted slightly. She looked forward to seeing that gnome's mangled corpse once the bloodbath began. And she'd personally slit Eirene's throat for daring to oppose her.

[Eirene]

Even from outside the building, Eirene had heard the end of the exchange. She was not surprised to see Lars walk out the door with his head hung low. She was surprised at what happened next. Lars produced a pair of keys from a lanyard around his neck. With nimble fingers he freed one and tossed to Eiriene. "This keep opens the vault with my records. If anything happens to me destroy them. Destroy them all. If that bitch comes after me at least I can keep her from dragging my customers down with me."

[Peppercorn]

Peppercorn nodded her head, but she kept a firm expression on her face. She was used to doing business, used to getting what she wanted, what she needed. "It isn't so much Lars himself that I'm worried about but those who might try - foolishly - to defend his honor. Magic users," she said the word like poison in her mouth.

In reality, she did dislike magic. Not to the degree that Lady Navarre clearly did. Probably not even to the degree that Lady Navarre would have her dislike it. But, it was an easy enough excuse to get some extra padding until Peppercorn found Lars' replacement.

"I fear if they came with their disgusting vices against my mother, especially, she would be in such a panic that she'd be dead of fear before she could call the guards!" she fished, watching the Lady's expression carefully. She didn't want to go to far, but then, judging by how Lady Navarre was eating this up, was there too far?

[Navarre]

Navarre laughed. "Defend his honor? My dear, magic users and their allies have no honor. I believe Lars demonstrated that quite well. But, as I said, you and your mother have nothing to fear: I will provide you both with protection at my own expense. If anyone does try to 'avenge' the gnome, they'll be cut down before they can try anything. "

Peppercorn did have a point. Even if Lars had no connection to the insurrection, which was almost certainly the case, there would undoubtedly be some backlash against her for "ratting out" a fellow shop owner. For all she knew, Lars could have family members or friends who would want retribution for the backlash. Navarre needed Peppercorn alive and cooperative, and if that meant shelling out some bishani, then so be it.

So, Navarre would be Peppercorn's patron -- for now. But that didn't mean that she couldn't benefit from the deal, too.

She put on her usual saccharine smile. "If you need anything else from me, feel free to ask. It's the least I can do for your services. But, in return, I request that you allow me to hang my flyers in your shop. I need to do whatever I can to raise awareness, and rest assured your store won't be the only one with them."

Meanwhile, her publicist, noticing Eirene and Lars lingering outside the shop, grinned mischievously. He stepped out of the shop and looked at the two 'criminals," pen and paper in hand. "Quite a day you two have had, huh? Feel like sharing how it feels to have your little scheme thwarted? Inquiring minds want to know!"

[Peppercorn]

Peppercorn nodded and waved an arm at the posts near the front entrance of the shop. "Be my guest, please. Just be sure they don't obstruct the view into the shop," with her own overly cordial smile. Peppercorn could play that game too. In fact, she knew how to play a lot of games.

"In response to your offer," her voice took on a more business edge to it, "I would appreciate the suggestion of some loyalist leather tanners, if you have them on hand. If not, I'll be here all day tomorrow. The help would be much appreciated, since I have just lost a client who was - at least in the way of binashi - valuable to my business."

If she could get in with some of the other loyalists, it would bring in the upper echelon of society, she was sure of it. Perhaps, the new clientèle might even get her into events, parties, business agreements she would have never dreamed of having access to. She hoped that much was true.

[Navarre]

Navarre returned her smile. Accommodating Peppercorn would be troublesome, but she had to commend her shrewdness. "Thank you for your cooperation. I'm afraid that I don't have any names on hand, but I'll send someone with a list of suggestions tomorrow afternoon. Should you lose any profit in the interim, I'll gladly reimburse you."

Once her publicist put up the posters, she'd bid farewell to her new ally and carry on with her business. Navarre glanced to the side. "Listen well. I want you to put up --" She trailed off when she noticed that her publicist was outside with Eirene and the gnome. "Just what does that fool think he's doing?" she said, scowling.

[Peppercorn]

Peppercorn's eyes grew wide. Was this the first sign of something bad coming from her rash decision? It was far too soon for that. Wasn't it?

"I have no idea, Lady. Perhaps, we should go find out what the problem is," and Peppercorn is already heading for the door of the shop with a wave at Karrion. "Keep the shop, yes?"

Karrion looked up for a second, but watching Peppercorn rush out and tell him to take care of things was no little surprise. He muttered something like "okay" and kept to his work. All this business foolishness wasn't his issues to deal with. Not yet, anyway.

[Navarre]

Navarre was out the door before Peppercorn finished speaking, her face frozen in anger. Once outside, she grabbed her publicist by the back of his collar and pulled him back, scowling. "I don't recall dismissing you from your duties."

"I-I was just -- " the publicist began nervously, but fell silent when his mistress pressed her nails against his throat. His eyes widened and he stood perfectly still, knowing better than to press his luck any further.

She drove her nails upward, pricking his skin and drawing a little blood. Her smile returned, tarnished by her wrath. "Had I wanted an explanation, I would have asked for one. How hard is it, exactly, to stand in the corner and take notes? Go and help the others put up signs before I lose my patience. And let them know I'm looking for your replacement."

The publicist nodded, and Navarre pulled her hand away. He rubbed his throat and hurried down the street without another word.

"Useless." Navarre sighed, then turned to Peppercorn. "I apologize for losing my temper, but it seems like no one can take directions these days. You've certainly lucked out with your assistant: He seems to have a good head on his shoulders, considering how he handled the gnome. Well, unless you have any other questions, I suppose I'd better be on my way. I wouldn't want to tie you up any longer."

[Peppercorn]

Peppercorn felt her eyes widening at the sudden show of violence. Most definitely, she had stepped herself and the shop into some very murky waters here.

When Navarre turned round, she made a point of putting on a very amicable expression, one somewhere between appreciation and disapproval for Navarre's "scolded" employee.

"Why thank you. Yes, Karrion does a marvelous job here, keeping the shop on track, always looking out," she tried to have a very level voice now. "I think we are all squared up. If I should need your assistance in the future, I trust I can call upon you. Have a great day, and I hope things go well for you, Lady," and Peppercorn gave a little bow of her head before turning to Karrion and making a point of inspecting a piece of leather.

"Have you finished the Dorman belts, yet? I was hoping to have them patterned today," she said as she moved toward the wall where many belts were hung in various groupings. She rifled through them, making a point of getting back to work.

[Navarre]

Navarre started down the street after bidding her farewell, a smile creeping onto her face. Her first meeting with the commoners was a success. As troublesome as it was, she now had a new ally -- and, more importantly, a whipping boy for the government. If the rest of her visits went this well, she would be in a great position.

She stopped at the stand down the street, and her former assistant shrank away at the sight of her. Ignoring him, Navarre turned to the stand's manager. "I've converted a shop to the cause," she told him, motioning to Peppercorn's shop. "Tell your men to head inside and put up flyers, then accompany me to the next store. We have a lot of work ahead of us."

As the manager addressed the workers, Navarre glanced back at Peppercorn's shop. This success would be the first of many. In time, the streets would be lined with pro-government posters, and all but the most loyal citizens would be shunned. A mere whisper of support for the insurrection would be a death sentence.

The pieces were finally in place. Now she only had to make her move.