Emily Miliona (darkfacade) wrote in emillion, @ 2014-06-03 22:12:00 |
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Emily arrived at Genevieve's home precisely when she said she would. Much of the city was still in repair, the Nobles District being among the places affected, but it didn't make the trip there too much. When Emily left her home her father seemed preoccupied with something and her mother was out of the house, likely spending money in the bazaar on some expensive items. Oh, the jewelry shops just loved her. Emily went to Genevieve's home unhindered and when she arrived, she waited in the foyer of the home for the lady of the house to come and meet with her. This was risky, and Emily knew that. She also knew that if she wanted to do what she'd spent over five years planning to happen, she needed help. She didn't even know if Genevieve could help her, but she could at least listen. Emily had to be careful as well because now she was treading into territory that was dangerous for someone who pretended to be someone else. She didn't show any nervous ticks though, and standing there waiting, she seemed at ease. Michel informed her that her guest had arrived and Genevieve stood, dismissing him with a smile. He had rolled his eyes but did as instructed; she had promised Emily privacy, and while Michel was amongst those she trusted implicitly, she knew not what manner of problem the lady wished to discuss. Nor did she assume that simply because she trusted one person meant others immediately did - it would prove folly to trust based on such a parameter. And so she had sent the household staff off to enjoy time with their families or to gallivant as they pleased. Alys and Juliette had disappeared - she did not know if they were home or out - and Miles rarely stayed in the estate during the day. There was some manner of reputation for the bumbling lord to keep, and while many had thought him to be recluse within the estate’s walls, Miles Baines had better things to do than sit still and wait patiently. Besides, she did not fear for her life with Emily Miliona, though she did have a manner of wariness in their interactions. One did not simply fake their deaths because they were bored. She greeted the woman with a smile and motioned for her to follow her into the sitting room. “I do hope the reconstruction has not bothered you,” she said, shutting the door behind them. There was a tray of tea and a platter of biscuits awaiting them. “I find that it has been mostly avoidable if one wishes it to be.” "No, I believe I've grown accustomed to it enough that by the time they are done I'll feel it is far too quiet," Emily said as she followed Genevieveinto the sitting room. She went to find a chair and didn't sit in it immediately, but waited for Genevieve to come into the room and take her own seat before she did so. "And it will not be for very long, I think. Everyone seems to want to put what happened behind them, and it will be easier to put it behind us when we don't see all the damage it caused." It wasn't the purpose of the visit, but it was expected conversation that they could start with before they got into why she had come and what she needed privacy for. Emily smoothed down the fabric of her dress. Fine threads weaved to make a pretty pale yellow flowers barely visible on the white fabric. It suited the supposed sunny disposition that Emily normally exuded, though she seemed to lack some of it. She would be leaving soon for her journeying, but she wanted to do this before she did depart. And from what she knew, her parents didn't have their meat hooks in Lady Albrecht as they did with many of the nobles within Emillion. Genevieve nodded in agreement, taking a seat once she was assured the door was secured. “They are already further along than when the docks had been destroyed last year,” she added, remembering the incident. She and Domina had held a charity auction, with Emillion’s eligible bachelors and bachelorettes as the prize. It had raised the gil that was necessary, but that had been an isolated area. The entirety of the town had been affected by the former Sage’s rampage. “Now,” she said, pouring two cups of tea; she did not know if they would be touched at all, but politeness, especially among the nobility, was expected. To not perform as required was often considered to be a slight. She did not think Emily would take it as such, but there were a great many reasons why Genevieve was still alive with the lines of work she so often found herself embroiled. “You had mentioned having something you wished to discuss?” She could not dismiss her curiosity so easily, and she had, many months ago it seemed, offered to help the girl if it was needed. She did not know if this was advice Emily was seeking, or if she was truly seeking Genevieve’s assistance, but she would. And then, perhaps, she could begin to piece the puzzle together that was Emily Miliona. "Yes," Emily nodded and politely took the tea that Genevieve served, "I did. It's hard…" She paused for a moment and then brought the tea to her lips as if she were to drink, but instead placed the cup back upon its saucer, "I hope this does not come across forward or presumptuous, but I need some assistance, and I'm not sure who to turn to. So, forgive me, but I don't know if you know, or perhaps know of someone who might know of a...of an individual who might be able to procure some papers for me discreetly." That was one way to ask for a thief without outright saying the word. Much in Emillion changed since Emily's departure, and even before that she did not have the contacts she needed for that sort of thing. Her eyes stared down at the cup, acting as if she couldn't bring herself to look up at Genevieve and then, as if mustering the courage, she finally did, though she looked anxious and her hands trembled. Genevieve sipped her tea, considering. She did not know nor trust Emily nearly enough to confirm that she did indeed know of someone, but it was not a far-fetched thought that the lover of the SpyMaster would have at least a few contacts. Finally, she replaced her teacup on the saucer. “I suppose it would depend,” she said, voice neutral. “Have you an idea of the type of papers you seek? What is the timeframe, and where would these documents need to be procured from?” All questions she often asked those who made use of her services. Cost would have to properly compensate the risk. Additional details - floorplans, the schedules of the target - were all things she could collect on her own. It was often nobility that were the targets of such machinations, and while she did not know what grievance Emily would have with any of their class, but it was not altogether surprising. Ultimately, however, Emily’s motives were irrelevant. There were only a handful of people she could entrust this job to, and keeping them protected trumped her desire to know more. "The papers would be in my home, more specifically in my father's study," Emily explained, "I will be leaving soon to the monastery, and it would be better if it were done in my absence. Or perhaps when I get back, just...soon. I believe whatever it is, it may be urgent." She reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear and she placed the cup and saucer on the tray nearby. "I don't know exactly what it has in them," she admitted which rang of truth and that was the truth that frustrated her, "It's madness really but anything of importance would be locked in his desk. He keeps everything there." Her father's study was where everything was and she was sure whatever she needed to ruin her parents would be locked away in there. The only reaction that Emily received was a slight tightening of Genevieve’s eyes. Admittedly, she knew little of Lord and Lady Miliona’s activities; they had hardly seemed the kind to interfere with her own. For Emily to suspect something was interesting enough, but Genevieve’s curiosity had been peaked. The timeline given wasn’t unreasonable. “The study, then,” she repeated thoughtfully. It was rarely so easy an occurrence, and she would allow the professional to assess the situation herself. Still, if Lord Miliona was inexperienced, perhaps whatever Emily sought would be exactly where the young lady thought it. “Have you any particular suspicions? And appearance-wise. Should your fa-- Lord Miliona know that someone has been looking around?” "I'm not sure where to start," Emily admitted, "Perhaps invoices of large sums. It would certainly account for the wealth of my family. My mother's spending habits are not a secret." Indeed, Emily's mother bought enough that the family fortune with her father's "legitimate" business, if it functioned the same as others, would have left them destitute. She gave a thought on appearance-wise. Would her father notice? Likely, but maybe not. He was so self-assured in many respects, he had to slip at some point, especially if he thought his items were safe. She shook her head, "I would advise of only taking what might be thought of as more legitimate proof. Not everything, but some item of significance. Where if he were to be confronted by it. If such a thing is there. This could all be foolish imaginations. I wish it were though. I'd prefer not to think ill of my father." “Invoices, bills of lading, perhaps,” she mused aloud. Even if Lord Miliona were not in the import/export industry, every business owner had them about for cargo shipments. There could be something of interest there, or perhaps they would be dull. Better boredom than leaving something unsearched. “I shall pass the directions along,” she assured the young woman. “I should hopefully have something for you by the time of your return.” She had seen Toku’s message regarding the scrolls, and assumed that to be the monastery trip Emily had mentioned. Though she was curious, she did not ask as to why Emily herself could not simply snoop around; surely there was some reason she was reaching out to Genevieve. Questioning her would not engender trust, and there had to be some level of it between them for something like this to occur. “One last matter of business: payment. I will be acting as intermediary and will need to know what you are willing to pay for the work to be done.” Emily wasn't expecting Genevieve herself to be involved, but maybe give her a name. Or maybe she was keeping Emily away from possible contacts to keep herself from being linked to it. "I have a reasonable amount prepared to pay," she admitted. She did sell a couple of small trinkets from her childhood. Precious gems that held as little meaning to her now as they did when her parents awarded them to her. "The sum, I hope, will be sufficient," she said, "I have no idea what amount is appropriate, but I can provide whatever gil is necessary to accommodate for any strain or strenuous effort on the part of the person doing the work. Even if nothing of note is found, I would feel it necessary to compensate them for the work." Though she wouldn't pay the full price, if it came down to that. Sliding compensation based on results; a very subjective manner of payment, but not one she had never dealt with. And there was still compensation for the work done, should nothing of note be recovered. Immediately, she began doing the math. “Twenty percent for the job itself, with additional compensation based on results,” she finally said. If the sum Emily gave her was insufficient, Genevieve could pad. She had worked long and hard to ensure her reputation was one that was fair amongst the underbelly of the Guild. “Then I shall have something to speak with you about by the time you return, I hope,” she continued, smiling. Emily certainly hoped this led to some result and preferably something she could use. It would be troublesome to put money into something like this only to end up empty-handed. "When would I be expected to provide payment?" she questioned. “Upon your return, once the job has been completed. You may forward it to me, and I shall ensure the person to whom this job will be assigned receives it.” If Arielle required an advance, there was a scroll or two Genevieve had come into possession of that would suffice, though the young bard rarely negotiated terribly hard. “What is the amount total you are able to pay? It would be uncouth of me to mediate without a sum. I shall doctor the number as required.” Emily paused and then reached into the bag she carried with her. Out of it she brought another bag, smaller, but it was clear that was weight to it. She untied the top a small bit and then showed Genevieve the contents. It was a generous sum, possibly too generous, but Emily did have to play the part of a young noblewoman who didn't really know what she was doing. "Would this be enough?" she asked, looking to Genevieve for a reaction. Mentally, she calculated the approximate sum within the satchel. Genevieve nodded, expression carefully schooled. “More than,” she assured the young lady across from her. “I shall ensure the job is done with discretion.” She rose, indicating an end to the conversation. The longer they conspired, the less freedom she would have with the project, even if Emily did not think herself limiting. It had happened time and time again; at this juncture, a meeting to discuss the details was all she required. “Now, you should return home, prepare for your trip. If you’ve any additional tips or requirements, send it via courier. Have Lyle deliver. That is a safe channel.” Emily nodded and Genevieve smiled. Her client - for now, that was what Lady Miliona was - settled the satchel of gil on the divan. Genevieve opened the door and escorted her out, promising to inform her as soon as she had something to show. Once Lady Miliona was outside of the estate’s gates, Genevieve returned to the sitting room and withdrew her communicator. Time to get to work. |