Feb 16 00:48:38 109 PA - Returning Gear and Prepping to Pay
From Chronicles
Feb 16 00:48:38 109 PA. Note: This scene actually takes place around the turn of the year.
MEETING HALL
After the ring of the bell it takes just a moment for Valeriya to come to the door and admit her visitor.
"Hello, Valeriya," Gabriel says politely. "I have something for you, thought I'd come by briefly and talk. Got a minute?"
Valeriya nods and steps aside to let Gabriel in and the heavy door close behind him. It may be daylight, but it is still the dregs. One need not tempt fate. "What's up?"
Gabriel makes sure that his boots are as clean as possible before stepping in. "Well, obviously the hit didn't go down. There were... issues that needed avoidance. However, I figure that I owe you this, for being so kind as to donate it with the promise of money for something that never happened." He removes the scroll, and attempts to hand it over. "Plus, as I figure you're a businesswoman, and now won't be making any money off of selling the scroll or salvaging the club, I owe you forty grand for having purchased it." Gabriel pauses briefly, then continues, "Then, I figure that since you've been unable to sell this scroll because it's been in my possession, I owe you a little more. Two-and-a-half percent interest for a month, roughly. Everything coming to around forty-five thousand that I owe you." His head bends sideways just a tad. "Would that work for you? I really don't want to take advantage of you. I can't pay you now - but I will pay it as soon as I'm able."
Valeriya nods again, hesitating only a moment before she takes the scroll. "What do you mean, didn’t happen? Jax had the spell learned when we met at the coffee house. And yes 45 thousand will be fine."
With a contented smile, Gabriel hands over the scroll. "The hit, the attack, the assault, whatever you want to call it. I don't care if Jax had it learned or not, the deal was that you'd get a cut of the proceeds. There weren't any proceeds, which is why I'm paying you back for material and time owed."
"And now it kind of sounds like it won't be happening. Which could be good and bad." Valeriya points out with a shrug as she examines the bonded pages for a moment. "Everything looks to be in order though. When do you think you'll be making that payment?"
"I can't give you a date, I'm very busy making sure that the next time I plan something, it will go off with as few hitches as possible. I'd rather take time to do something properly than to run off and do it half-assed and dangerous. Might take a while, admittedly," Gabriel allows with a shrug. "But you will get your payment. I'll be sure to put something in my will that says if I die, I'll leave you some gear that will cover the costs."
"In which case I get to heckle with your heir about the importance of paying one's bills.." Valeriya replies with a slight smirk before pausing a moment to think. "If it would be easier, there is something you might do for me instead."
Gabriel's mouth quirks, as does an eyebrow. "I'll listen, but I expect that the 'might' part is pretty significant."
"Well knowing your skills it'd definitely be easier for you than me. Just a matter of easy enough. North north west of Kingsdale I have found a magic nexus, a very important resource for my future endeavors. A location I need to secure as soon as possible. To do so I need to know as much about the area as possible. So that would be worth 45 thousand to me, to have the area scouted and mapped, and the neighbors listed. I already know there are Coalition patrols regularly through the area. One key bit of information would be specifics for those patrols and what reinforcements they can call on." Valeriya explains, keeping her voice cool and casual.
"I see," Gabriel smiles. "I'm also going to politely decline, though I appreciate the compliments to my abilities. Those areas are very dangerous for people, or so I've heard, and and 'area' gets very large very quickly. If it's anything like where I live, I'd need to be on the ground for a significant amount of time. So I'll just write you a check." He offers a tiny nod of amusement. "Besides, I think I'd be coming out on a very raw end of the deal. If you want to pay me to get a group of people together, I'd consider it. But not in exchange." He obviously seems to make to depart.
"I was more thinking you could talk to some people to correlate existing info on the region before a quick tour for confirmation. But if you still prefer to pay me direct that's fine, can pay someone else for the task." Valeriya reiterates with an accepting nod, looking to be open to either method
Gabriel closes his eyes and offers a slow, appreciative nod. "In this case, I'm afraid that I will defer. At some far later date when I'm more available, I'd be happy to work with you - as a new contract. For now, I'll just thank you for everything that you've done for the cause."
Valeriya nods in acceptance. "Alright then. We'll be in touch." She says, reaching to open the door to let Gabriel back out.
The man departing offers a few more words of thanks, then disappears into the winter. Gabriel's a quirky fellow.
