manchester ♔ gonna fall if you lead us nowhere

[allaboutme]

♬ We Sink - CHVRCHES

WHO || Cordelia, Alisha, Bambi, Kate, Phineas [Closed]
WHAT || The Knights continue to investigate a series of strange, deadly deliveries from the mysterious 'PTC'
WHERE || The Spider's Web / The Lagoon Club restaurant and nightclub
WHEN || April 11th [back dated]
HOW || Actionspam. Single thread, don't worry about maintaining tagging order.

Last April, a kindly book seller and purveyor of magical lore found himself the victim of an attack via mail when dangerous magical creatures were sent to his shop from the untraceable sender "PTC".  Since then, Wynn's been tracking the mail system, waiting for that name to pop up again, in case it might lead them to find out who was behind the first attack, and stop any other disasters from occurring.  Recently, something popped up on the radar, so the Knights have to find a way into the exclusive restaurant the Spider's Web in Manchester, or its attached nightclub The Lagoon Club.

Comments

[allaboutme]

[ he spreads his hands, a gesture of innocence. "I'd tell you if I knew more. It seems one of my business associates saw fit to send it express, no doubt to interrupt my business here, and spread panic among my usual clientele." ]

[killmypatience]

[Kate watches him carefully but casually, paying careful attention to what he says as he speaks (sense motive 27).]

If you didn't order it, why did you open it?

[theshameofcain]

And do you know a guy named Broggon? Owns a bookstore in Oxford. Surprisingly generous with his First Editions.

[allaboutme]

[ he raises an eyebrow at kate, shaking his head at bambi's question. "I don't have much occasion to visit bookstores. But no, I didn't open it. It went down here with the other crates full of tov nectar, but I imagine the live dragon inside had other ideas. It got itself out." ] You said one of your business associates sent it? Funny way to do business. [ "Apparently, PTC was ready to end our arrangement. They could have picked a better way to say so." ]

[killmypatience]

What arrangement did you have with them exactly?

[Also "What is PTC?" but she figures she can infer the one question from the other.]

[allaboutme]

[ "The Trade Consortium provides me with the very hard to acquire tov nectar," keerianinor explains. "and I provide Estavan with a whole lot of money. Estavan's always been good to me, so I decided to stick with him while his company goes through some re-organization issues. My guess would be that Estavan's enemies are more persistent than I expected, but I still believe in staying loyal. Of course, I also have to do what's good for business. I'll give Estavan another few months to put an end to this situation. After that, I might have to re-evaluate my business dealings if he hasn't been able to stabilize the situation." ]

Is this Estavan the boss of the... Trade Whatever? [ he gives her an odd look. "He's the executive officer... for now, at least." ]

[killmypatience]

So do you think that whoever sent the dragon is one of Estavan's enemies, trying to take out his friends?

[It seems like a reasonable assumption to make.]

What kind of changes is his company going through?

[allaboutme]

[ "Some of the high-ranking partners of the Consortium have formed an alliance to try to wrest control away from him. Like you said, they're likely targeting those of us who they imagine will stay loyal to him." ]

By sending dragons to eat you? That's sort of taking corporate espionage to a new level.

[theshameofcain]

Is there any way we can talk to Estavan? [He feels like a guy with some missing pieces that can fill in the connections here.] PTC sent monsters to Broggon to prevent his work he was doing... At least that's what he thought. Maybe there's a connection here he might see.

[allaboutme]

[ "Estavan... isn't exactly from around here, if you know what I mean," the drow says, eyes glinting. "He's a man of his word though, and he's a very shrewd businessman. Of course, words can be very tricky things, so you might want to be careful when it comes to setting terms or making deals with him. He has a place out in the suburbs of London. It's a big house, with a lot of land and decent security. Whenever I go out there to discuss business, we always meet in his grand library. He uses it as an office of sorts, and he keeps a lot of his records there." ] Do you have, like, an address or something? As descriptive as 'house in the suburbs is', it might make it a little hard to pin down.

[ he shakes his head. "While I appreciate what you've done for me here, Estavan is a man who values his privacy and I'm not entirely convinced that he couldn't trace a leak in disclosing his location back to me, whether you intended to tell him or not. I've given you something to work with, if you're so intent on seeing him." ]

[killmypatience]

[Kate is taking notes on her phone, and while she knows that's not that specific it's at least something, and maybe something the Hoard can do something with. But just in case they can't, it might be worth it to try and persuade the drow to take another point in their favor (diplomacy 15).]

I'm not sure it would be taken any better if we were to show up unannounced, either. Is there any chance you might be able to call ahead and see if he'll see us? We did save you from a dragon - that might be enough to garner some good will, especially if they intend to go after him next.

[allaboutme]

[ "No offense, but I'm not sure who you people are. Private investigators?" ]

We help people. It sounds like he needs help. [ diplomacy 35??? the drow looks her over, with some clear appreciation, and leans back, steepling his fingers together.

"I can try. But I'm not sure he's going to trust anyone right now, even people I send his way." ]

[theshameofcain]

You could tell him we're a bunch of hot chicks.

[She glances at Phineas.] And... Phineas.

[killmypatience]

[Kate smirks a bit at that.]

I'm for whatever works at this point, but I've already been shot by one of your guys once today. I'd rather not have more bullets aimed at me by his security.

[allaboutme]

[ "Understandable, and for that I certainly apologize. My men mistook your intentions here. But you must understand that Estavan might wish to handle these matters internally. I'm not certain that he's interested in hiring outsiders to take care of his affairs." ]

Cuz he's doing a great job already on his own.

[theshameofcain]

If we mount the dragon's head and mail it to him, d'you think that would send a message about what stone-cold badasses we are?

Hypothetically. I'm just spitballing here.

[killmypatience]

I think this has gotten beyond the point where he can "handle matters internally." That dragon could have slaughtered a club full of innocent people. Should we wait until PTC actually follows through and causes a massacre?

[Kate raises an eyebrow as she leans back in her seat and crosses her arms in front of her chest (diplomacy 21).]

How long before he starts to look culpable? Whether it's because he tried to handle it internally and failed or because PTC manages to make it look like he's the one responsible for all of this? Do you really want to be associated with a guy who's got blood on his hands in the public eye, whether it's true or not?

If you can convince him to let us handle this externally, he doesn't have to be associated with it at all. A rogue element of his organization, and his hands are clean. We handled Oxford and the situation here. We're not doing this for the glory. We just want this done.

[allaboutme]

[ he spreads his hands, shaking his head. "You make a very strong case, but you are convincing the wrong man. I can tell him you wish to speak with him, but I make you no promises. Who shall I tell him wishes to bend his ear?"

cordelia looks between the others. ] We can tell him, right?

[killmypatience]

[Kate looks hesitant, unsure if it's the right play or they should go with their cover, and she'll glance between the rest of the team, wanting to see what they think. She knows she's team leader, but she doesn't want to just out who they are if it's something they're not sure about.]

[theshameofcain]

We're Knights of the Silver Dragon. [whelp. that's a thing. she's clearly okay with it.]

[allaboutme]

[ "Ahh yes, Wynn's Knights," he says, smirking slightly. ] You've heard of us?

[ "Word gets around in the London Shadow community. He's done a lot to help our kind. But from what I've heard, the Trade Consortium is particularly interested in avoiding him. I can't promise you'll have much luck with Estavan... but I do give you my word that I'll try my best on your behalf." ]

[killmypatience]

[That's ... something of interest. Kate will nod in acknowledgement, before holding up her phone.]

While you do that, I should check in with my boss. He'll want an update and he might have an idea of how best to walk into this.

[And she will take a step back to call Wynn. She doesn't want to leave without knowing whether or not Estavan will take the meeting, and she needs an idea of how best to approach this.]

[allaboutme]

[ "This isn't something I can just do at the drop of a hat. You're gonna have to give me some time. Give me a means to contact you, and I'll let you know when I've got an answer from him. Estavan might take some convincing."

cordelia scribbles down a number and hands it over. ] Here. The sooner, the better.

[killmypatience]

[Kate nods in agreement, before finishing off her drink.]

Thank you for your help.

[Whether it works out or not, at least they have more answers than they did before.]

[arrested]

[ Alisha has stayed quiet, but no longer. Though that said, maybe she should. ]

Well the whole thing sounds like bullshit to me. I mean who the fuck lets a dragon into their bar. I mean hello?! And then protect the dodgy as fuck deals they've got going on? I mean what the fuck is that about, yeah?