Tiv accepts the hand up. He walks in silence being led by Aristotelis. He hands over the key fob when asked. He’s’ deep in thought and trying hard to not let his embarrassment show…keeping a stoic Oghman face. Since he came to Blackrock on a trade mission, he’s been trying to unravel the mysteries of the rock. Now, he hardly pays any attention to non-public passages of the station into which he has tried so hard to get electronic glimpses.Aristotelis smiles at Tiv: Normally, yes, far too late, but you’re in luck today – he leans down to offer his hand in assistance to rise – we’re making exceptions.
He is preoccupied with reflection on the last few moments. How could he have been so stupid as to allow himself to get roped into Raven’s maniacal paranoia? He figured she recognized something he missed…but no…just her asinine ego. She put the whole operation at risk…and he went along with it. Ummimmir did warn them to “play nice with Medusa in the morning”, did he not? Stupid, Freaking Stupid!! Medusa’s an insider…perhaps one of the hidden Theev Lord representatives…at least complicit with the station commanders. They have the best tech in the universe, and they know how to use it. This whole operation is in jeopardy now. How to repair the damage…
Did he make the wrong decision to bring Kar and Raven in on this job? Maybe he should have been patient and waited for Niels and his very experienced Raid Chieftain. No that’s not it…still an Oghman raid warrior. Maybe, as Lady Vigdis has demonstrated, Raiders just aren’t cut out for operations involving interactions with outsiders. Keep them out of sight until real leaders decide violence is required. Heretical…yes. Effective…yes. But Jarl Hallsteinn chose her…and Vigdis probably whispered the idea to him…
And he let Raven lead him right into this fiasco. He knew better! Ummimmir and Soraia had to teach him that Oghmite ways are both an advantage and an impediment out in the larger sector. Know when to use your uniqueness effectively. This is the second time on this rock in the past few days he’s had to swallow humble pie.
He snaps out of his reflection upon coming into Medusa’s presence, and he listens to her patiently.
Tiv momentarily holds both hands up with open palms at shoulder height as he looks her in the eye. He drops them after the first statement:So, it seems I have a lapse in judgement. I think your crew are different to the common run of Oghmen, because of your reputation, and the deals you make with Scarlett Sal and Ummiimir, and yet, this morning, you arrive with a warparty and display unruly and reckless aggression, such as is to be expected of thugs. This is disappointing, because I think you are such a crew as considers situations carefully, and yet all I see is a Gun-shark with a hair trigger.
I think I make a contract with a useful sort of Oghman, but it seems all I have is another weapon, such as Theev has in abundance already. A dangerous weapon, yes, but much like many another.
What is needed here, is a smart weapon, not another jagged blade or scattergun.
She sighs:
However, you show some smarts, eventually, the weapon was shown in private, and drew no blood, so I have no need to advertise a price for such a display of poor etiquette. You understand, if you publicly doubt my good faith, make some show of force such as would suggest you think you can strong-arm my operation, this is bad for my business, and I would have to make an example of any person who does such a thing.
But, as I say, everything is in private, and no harm is done.
Except.
You parade an armed party through the station to a business that people who know things, know I have an interest in. This draws attention of a sort I prefer not to have. Fortunately, they are children, and it is early, so nobody who matters sees them, and so the offense is not taken seriously.
However. This thing you are proposing to do, that I do not know the details of, it is such a thing that is best done without drawing attention. Now, I am compelled to ask, can you finesse this job or will you just kick in the doors and start shooting?
In fact, I do not care so much whichever way, as long the thing is done, but perhaps I can save you money.
She gestures to some sealed medical transport modules:
The prescription medicines and their dispensers are here, and delivery is arranged, but perhaps I will honour my previous arrangement regarding the Dust Spice. If you are merely a weapon, you have no need for the subtlety of the culinary arts, and so I keep my word to Uisuikaa and you keep your credits.
What do you say?
You are right, Medusa. Bringing the warband brought undue attention to our exchange. And I am embarrassed to admit, the altercation put our whole operation, your business, and a hoped-for alliance between us at risk. Aristotelis’ preparations subdued the situation admirably. That they were needed…I am deeply sorry.
As to your concerns for my, our, discretion in the, er, operation? The entire plan depends heavily on discretion, secrecy, and what can show on digital recordings. Even Raven recognizes that. It can’t succeed any other way. Hence our deal. You would be well within your rights to keep Raven’s retainer and back away from the Dust Spice deal given our bad faith showing a few minutes ago.
It is a hard thing to take Oghma out of Oghmen. Some of us within Clan Aesgir aim to branch out into the wider expanse of the sector. Turn from the old ways. That distinguishes us… Makes us heretics amongst our own. It also requires us to learn new ways. Please understand, there is a learning curve to these things. But please also know this: Lord Hallsteinn entrusted his flagship to Skippare Kar Tolen and Raid Leader Raven Sorrow precisely because, while we may have growing pains, they (we) have demonstrated an ability to learn different ways...follow non-traditional paths for us. You may have seen some of that yourself; and, as you say, you have heard of it from others. I like to think missteps such as this can be learning opportunities. Our friends from outside our traditional sphere may aid our progress, if they can forgive and show us patience. You have shown some of that willingness already. Our honor dictates that we always remember our allies.
With a little patience, we can become laser-scalpels instead of jagged blades…
Given the proclivity of Aslans for Dust Spice, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pouncer has a supply on board. It is yours, if it’s there, for half price. Then you may meet both customers’ demand and still profit from both. I’ll also propose that you get free samples of any other Aslan formularies aboard for your research and reverse engineering.
Perhaps there is a way we can salvage the public image of the warband showing up on Aristotelis’ doorstep. We did an Oghman thing…send us home to the Serpent in an Oghman way. Have you any medications that resolve hangovers in the dispensary? Any “party” formulations? Perhaps it is too much to ask that you brew ale? Perhaps we buy crates of each and make a public showing of that on the walk back. What could look more Oghman? We hide our folly in plain sight. Our bad behavior behind closed doors remains known by a closed few. I can have Kar wire the purchase price to you now.
Your thoughts?
4+3+2
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