Post by Maxine on Nov 11, 2020 5:11:51 GMT -8
Among Sweet Flowers Do Creep | 1 Star Mission (2000 Words Requirement) | Repeatable Twice Per Month - Though not among the greater clans of the Western Lands by any stretch, the Shinobu Clan always has work for those who are hungry for rewards or reputation. Stalking shareholders, violently cleaning up loose ends, attending to their wealthy allies' whims, or just lighting the chairman's cigarette for her; there is always more strings to be pulled. Though it will never get your name in the news, being in the pocket of the clan of snakes has its benefits.
Rewards: 1 'Sway' used for the effects of the 'Shinobu Branch Office' Stronghold addon. No reputation is awarded for this mission.
Rewards: 1 'Sway' used for the effects of the 'Shinobu Branch Office' Stronghold addon. No reputation is awarded for this mission.
A delicate pinch of sage.
Enough tea leaf to sit upon a fingertip.
Then, the mix –
Vodka with a hint of burdock, delicately poured into the measuring glass;
The formula of white wine from Pilaf, muscatel from the West, and a hit of rich red from the South;
And, the classic Maozu bitters, from the Eastern Lands.
Mixed gently from jug to jug – not too rough, lest the lighter flavours get diluted.
A glass with a star-cut ice block, and then finally; the union.
And a lemon rind, of course.
It was a routine. A practiced recipe. A program made to order.
It was unbecoming of a machine, but this – was how she relaxed.
She did not think she could ever comprehend what people called pleasure,
yet the sound of the cocktail filling a glass appealed in a way beyond mere satisfaction.
The drink was delivered gently; with reverence. To so much as speak as to interrupt the conversation would be too much. Though it would be a fleeting experience, the cocktail was to be held with the same respect as any blade – the art was often forgotten when the Western Lands’ culture was discussed, but it was the one fraction of the nation’s ethos that Maxine could reach for.
Though she did not think she’d ever truly understand the more iconic arts of poetry, flower-arranging, and martial arts; the android at least took the one she did comprehend as seriously as she could. And, that effort was not forgotten. Tonight, it was just a slight nod from the chairman as their conversation continued, but that was enough. No insistence on colours nor lecture on meanings this time. Instead, the mere machine, Maxine, was the host; and her utmost superior, the honourable chairman, the guest.
”I will admit, I have more faith in your priorities than the Azure Dragoons. They are simply too organised for me to believe they are without ulterior motives… though, so far, I would assume their goals will not overlap with our own. The Duchies seem outside of their usual operating range, so it has been a professional relationship so far.”
”Yeah, well, we don’t have the money to… afford ulterior motives. I-It’s just a matter of handling day to day expenses, while… staying under the radar. It’s nicer here, in the Duchies, at least in the city… things seem pretty accepting of that kind of business. G-Guess it’d be scary for most, but so far… it’s been alright. Still, we’re in need of something more steady, so…”
Sitting in a booth at the Asclepius; the Shinobu Clan’s home bar and club; the duo talking business was an unlikely couple. Shinobu Karigane; tall, glamourous, serious; business first and business last; a Western Lands’ staple. Meanwhile, her company – a ragged goatee and tousled hair; a somewhat tattered suit; and an uneasy frown… Morgan Dust. It was an unfair match, no doubt, but the chairman knew he was not worth exploiting. Not tonight, anyway.
The establishment was a part of the Shinobu Clan’s headquarters, having its own dedicated two floors quite high in the building. Unlike the rest of the complex, it was available to the public… at least, on special occasions; though technically any guest could come if their name was on the list. Though its fine black-marble topped bar and timber flooring suggested some sense of classical class, the violent illuminated tables and steps suggested some more modern sensibilities. Of course anything Shinobu would be bathed in purple… whether it was black leather booth seats or the fishtanks built into one wall of the lower floor.
That said… Maxine herself could not help but wonder if the little karaoke stage really fit the place. Especially given what she’d seen performed on it… geez. Bro country was not befitting of the Shinobu, no matter how much money that casino mogul might throw around.
”It’s true that we can find use for more agents, particularly those who have some distance between our organisation. However, I’m just as aware as you are that you are a wanted man. Getting too involved with such matters may not do my clan any favours.”
”Y-Yeah, I know, I know. But, that’s a bonus, too. I-I think. Unlike the Dragoons, with their uniforms and… rules, and such… we’ve got full plausible deniability. Just a bunch of unwanted Tuffles and cyborgs, so probably… more useful, to you guys. Replaceable, too.”
He glanced at Maxine, who was simply standing by the bar, awaiting further orders. She returned his gaze, nonplussed by the comment. He wasn’t wrong. And, she too was curious. The Azure Dragoons were good company, but a little team of mercenaries like this was more understandable to her. Uniforms and rules, ranks and logistics; they weren’t unpleasant, but they were certainly different to her own line of work. This story, though… she could have easily ended up just like them, if the Shinobu had felt she wasn’t worth their salary.
”I see. It’s good that you’re aware of your situation. The World Government would pay good money to see your head. There’s no lack of samurai here, either. I don’t see the appeal.”
”That’s – w-well, they – they’d – like to see yours too, I’m… sure.”
”You’re not wrong. So, I think that… we don’t have much left to discuss.”
A heavy pause, as the chairman finished her glass of red wine; elegantly chugging the whole thing. Maxine couldn’t help but frown a little… that was one of her boss’s worst habits. The expression on Morgan’s face said a lot, but… he was in no situation to complain. The Shinobu weren’t a big clan, but compared to a handful of mercenaries with money on their heads, they were head-and-shoulders above them from every angle.
”…Right. Finish your drink. Then, we’ll talk paperwork.”
The expected judgement. The chairman had came into all this quite confident, which always meant she’d made a decision already. All this was just a show to put the poor man on edge. But, Maxine was pretty sure he’d been on thin ice for a long, long time – this much wouldn’t sway him much more. Honestly, this uneasy arrangement… it probably wasn’t the right strategy, even if it was Karigane’s specialty.
”I hear accounting and planning is your specialty. We’re not exactly in need of more people who are good with numbers, but… something in-between those hired guns and one of our business researchers will fit rather well. Though, your crew… they’ll need some work. You don’t keep them on a very tight leash, do you?”
As Morgan sipped his cocktail, his eyes narrowed – the chairman was wearing her signature smirk.
”Maxine – shoot her in the head, please.”
She could not hesitate. Her autorevolver sprang from her jacket, and straight to her target – as if she had not noticed. The camouflage cloak grew opaque as its bearer shifted in response, but it was much too late… the handgun’s barrel had already lined up with Maxine’s target. The infiltrator leapt, tumbled; caught up in their own cover… it was a dreadful sight. The gun followed them, but, the trigger was not pulled.
Under the now useless camouflage, the white-haired lady lay; her tactical rig leaking spare rounds and her sizable gun awkwardly brought to bear against her aggressor. But even then, the stand-off was one-sided. On the ground like this, left in plain sight, she had no further options. That said… if either fired, there would only be one winner. A fancy revolver, versus a light machine gun. It wasn’t a good gamble for Maxine…
”My associate here noticed her come in when you bantered with me before we entered. Trying to befuddle me with questions about security… that might work on West City’s amateurs, but your questions were paper-thin. You can’t fool me, old man.”
The world stopped for a moment – all eyes on their adversaries. Just one twitch, and it’d become a mess. A gunshot in the Shinobu Clan’s headquarters… security wasn’t as tight as the chairman would like to boast, but there was no lack of yakuza keen on adding to their body count.
”Well, that’s enough playing around. You did well, Maxine. Holster your weapon. And take this order seriously, please.”
And of course, Maxine did what she was told. She would have pulled the trigger as demanded earlier, but… she’d been warned ahead of time to hold her fire. Thankfully, she got to place her revolver back in her jacket without being shot through the chest, too, as her target awkwardly lowered her barrel from the android’s chest.
”Ahahaha. Yes, you got me. I’m no good at that sneaky business, so all’s well that ends well!” cheered the lady, putting her hands up happily; albeit waving her weapon around in doing so; ”Right. Nice to meet you. Let’s play nice from now on! Here, you can start by getting me a drink, Little Miss Gangster.”
Maxine was – far from pleased, particularly as she glanced to the chairman, who had already dropped the matter and gone back to negotiating with Morgan Dust. Things got worse as her new company sat down in front of the bar opposite her; cloak balled up on her lap. And that obnoxious smile… they were just at each other’s throats! Seriously, so unprofessional… at least stay on guard. Maxine just stuck her chin up and tried to play it all cool, but those lilac eyes that sparkled with glee watching her were slowly driving her crazy…!
”So! You’re the Shinobu’s dog. You’re not far from us, right? Even the World Government has a bunch of sword-wielding crazies nowadays – there’s not many high profile gunmen around. I guess the Dragoons still get up to no good, too, but… we’ve got more class than that!” chirped the lady, while Maxine stared daggers at her. ”You know how it is. Swords are for show, guns are for pros. Besides, you can’t customise a sword! Besides putting ribbons and such on it, I guess, but –“
”You have not said what drink you’d like yet, young lady.”
Her adversary blinked for a moment, then gave that annoying laugh again – ”Ahahaha. Okay, okay – how about, something punchy?” offered the lady, before continuing without missing a beat – ”But with a gun, you’ve got all over the barrel. Well, not with a 5’ like your Snake Way there, but, with a proper gun, you have so much room to play with.”
”I would go so far as to say that you have too much room. Your DAP-19 is coated with gear. Red dot, bipod, suppressor, 14’ barrel, folding stock, foregrip and angled sight – what do you intend to do with a bipod and a foregrip, exactly?” For once, Maxine dropped a bit of her professional distance; unable to hide her frustration when it came to a matter that she really did know that well. The chairman might lecture her later, but… that was an atrocity built upon a fine weapon.
Her lecture was only met with a smile, though, much to her displeasure. While the lady hefted her rifle onto the bar with a grand thunk, Maxine tried to focus on that drink. ”Yeah, well, I didn’t know what to pack for today. You know how it is – spoiled for choice! But, you’ve got a good eye… mind you, this is actually the DAP-19M; remodelled with some better metals and more plastic to work on that weight problem. Not that you can talk when it comes to impractical guns, if you keep that around in place of a pistol.”
”You’re not wrong. But, I do not think I could claim to be gokudō without a little indulgence…” With that exchange, Maxine’s grumbling quickly changed tune – finally! Someone to talk about guns with! Even the Dragoons didn’t often give her the chance, as their equipment was standard issue more often than not. ”It’s good to meet another connoisseur of firearms. Though you know the chairman by now – I am UN-11, ‘Maxine’.”
That cocksure smile – but, it was more welcome this time. And, it was soon a little more brighter than even that, as a purple-tinted drink was placed before its owner. ”Right, agreed, Max. I’m – well, fuzzy back there will grumble at me for talking too much, but I’m Persea. Glad I can give the rest of the crew a good review, rather than only getting to know you by the calibre of the bullets they pick out of me.”
And with that, even Maxine could offer a slight smile, alongside her usual bow.
”In that case –“
”- Yes, in the name of Shinobu – to our business –“
”Right, cheers!”
[2135/2000]
Starting PL: 15,862