Party of Millions (C 1.3, E 1.4, L 1.5)

Canary's invitation warms my heart a little from this isolative chill I have felt all evening. Her offer seems genuine, if a little surprising. "Believe me when I say I would love to, but I'm afraid there are still a couple matters to which I must attend. I would still like to see you off." It's nerve-wracking even thinking about what I still need to take care of, not to mention the shame I would feel if something happened to Princy or the others if I were away. But once I know they are in a good position, I believe I have some situations to address out here.

I believe Dinero may be able to shed some light on what is happening tonight. First things first, let's see if I can get some information out of Kamae. "Ms. Canary, I do believe I'm being followed. I'm going to see if there is anything I can help with here before working to catch up with you and Mr. Dinero. In case I don't see you again, please have a lovely evening, and thank you again for your services today."

With that I stop and turn back down the hall, in hopes of getting some answers from Kamae.

"Foll... hey... all right..." Edmund is like that. Always thinking of the next item on his to do list or whatever he keeps in that busy brain. "Be careful!" I call out after him as he hurries back.

I steady myself and turn back towards the exit.

"Let me show you the Refuge, Dinero. And..." this is the tricky part, "be good if I know what your father told you about this... arrangement."

---

Litch and Kestrel slip away from Edmund, Canary, and Dinero to pretend to smoke among the folks standing around at Vassal Pier sharing
drinks around a barrel fire in the cold evening.
Edmund has a brief word with Canary before he turns to set himself to have a conversation with Kamae.
Canary and Dinero head to the dock where Whopper waits around and starts pulling ropes off of poles that helped moor the Refuge to the pier.

Kamae Sanitised walks outside onto the pier and scans the place looking for you, Edmund. When he sees you, he pulls his left hand out of the pocket of his fine black trenchcoat and opens his gloved hand, palm facing up. Litch and Edmund, you both see several small metal balls hum and float upward into the air, little vibrating wings extended from their sides. The floating balls seem to be the size of a big gumball - they're hard to see in the murky night but seem to be at least six of them.

After he sets the little balls up into the air, he strides forward to you, Edmund. He seems unconcerned about Litch and Kestrel as he approaches you.

What do you do?

I don't take the hand up, even still wearing this dress it wouldn't be right to take a hand boarding my own vessel. It looks like it's been taken care of. Good.

I set down my stuff and unlock the cockpit, listening to Dinero and nodding as I find a lot to agree to.

"Sounds like we've got that straight. Good." I keep busy pre-checking the gauges in case a need to leave in a hurry arises.

I don't expect to dash off before Dinero has a chance to speak to his father, but I am tempted.

"I know you can handle yourself at sea," I state simply, "but there's places we'll go where your reputation won't be worth much. Can you handle a gun?"

It is challenging to make out any details beyond the distinct silhouette of Kamae as they emerge out on the docks. However, the small comfort that the Talons are providing me is quickly chased away. I feel that pit in my stomach again as Kamae seems to notice me and tosses something into the air.

I attempt to take cover behind some barrels and shout to them, "Kamae! Have I done something to offend you!?"

I nod, yeah.

"You're right, I don't think I'll regret this. Hope you don't either."

But then shake my head "no, we got some time. Get your stuff, you can stow it below deck, I'll show you how to open her up..."

I get up from the cockpit and show him the hatch near the rear of the deck and how to open it. I keep it pretty secure.

Luggage? I wonder what he feels is necessary, "keep it light, ok?"

"You heard about it, or you knew about it before hand?" I shout from behind cover. Maybe Millions's party was supposed to celebrate Princy's death? The dark thought barely crosses my mind before I shove it out of the way. I need to keep my wits about me. The humming of the spheres draws nearer and I start to feel that the barrel may not provide as much protection as I hope.

Kamae walks past our location and we wait four five heartbeats before slowly sauntering behind him, cigarettes still lit and cradled between our fingers. My other hand goes reflexively to my belt when the water boy puts his hand inside of his coat. I can't see what he removes, by I can hear a whirring sound around him that soon fades. He and Edmund exchange words and the latter dives for cover behind a stack of casks.

Princy's mortal status is of little interest to me. The Tower Lords are always feuding. I don't take sides unless I'm paid to...or called to. Sterling said this fellow is a Fountaineer. They're more use to the city than the Tower Lords. I won't risk getting on this one's bad side unless it's necessary. Ed asked us to follow. We have, now he's in our debt. I intend to collect. Which means I will need him alive. Beyond that, I'm content to wait and see how this situation plays out.

I crouch to the ground and put out the lit, but unused cigarette butt, then fling it away as I stand back up. I'll need both of my hands free for whatever comes next.

I stay on the Refuge, stand, and watch him go, still, I wonder if this has been a huge mistake.

But he actually seems... all right.

I take time to change back into my work clothes and actually make some room below deck for Dinero. I quietly plan to sleep up in the cockpit for the next several days, but we'll see how things are.

I make sure to find Whopper and thank her for taking good care, and see if anyone came poking around. I doubt it, but worth knowing.

Ugh... I forgot to get that fifty-cal ammo from Millions... no. Not going back up there to ask. I'll get a lead somewhere else. The pay from the wine should be enough to manage for a while until work comes along, and it always does.

Canary,

As Dinero dashes off, you overhear Kamae talking loudly at Edmund, accusing him of attempted murder.

"A dire miscalculation on my part for believing that serpent to be a decent person. After today I’m beginning to think most people may be more serpent than man." I shout to them.

And I may start to consider myself among those serpents, I think to myself as my hand finds the solid grip of the revolver from Blue Light tucked into the back of my slacks beneath my waistcoat, three rounds left.

"So what’s next? Kill me, then go up and finish the job? Are we so in the way of your plan you can’t just let us be? Or do you honestly think I’d deign to bite at the only hand that’s shown me appreciation and respect for the past twenty years!?"

"Alright luv." I murmur to Kestrel while pulling my hatchets out of their loops at my belt. "I suppose it's time to wade in. Oy!" I yell to Kamae. "I don't meant to interrupt your power-play performance, mate. But I do need that one alive. 'Fraid I'm going to have to intervene now. But there's no reason for anyone to bleed out on this dock, eh?"

The handgun falls from my hand onto the dock. The weapon of the attempted murder itself. The most damning thing I could do, in front of the one condemning me. Kamae’s words echo in my head.

Traitor.
Fool.
Dispatch you to save Princy the trouble.
Assassination.

I sit in stunned silence as Kamae draws ever-nearer, the swarm of orbs humming around my unmoving frame. Why should I bother fighting, to save the fool I apparently am?

I have nothing outside of Princy. No wealth to call my own. No power to leverage. A reputation that I thought earlier today was, "For help, find Edmund;" but maybe everyone simply sees me for the fool I am.

Maybe they're right, I think. It is only now that I realize Litch has been speaking with Kamae.