Chapter 72: The Merchant’s Circumstances

Iris: “Where exactly are we going?”

Anais: “We’ll get there soon.”

Anais leapt across the roof tops, Nathan and Iris, following right behind her. After everyone had long gone to bed, Anais led Nathan and Iris out into the streets. She didn’t explain where they were going, but the look on her face, she was angry.

Nathan: “Hmm?”

As they followed, Nathan noticed that they were being followed. However, after quickly realizing who it was, he just continued on after Anais.

After a while, they arrived in a new section in town, a section still as bustling as if it was daytime. From above it was a wondrous, using magic to turn the surroundings building to a sea of lights. Noble and commoners alike walked the streets, searching, for just the right place to relinquish their compensation.

Iris: “It really beautiful, their attire.”

Nathan: “Yeah, that’s how they get you.”

Beautiful women in alluring outfits, so enchanting even the most steadfast of men would fall to sin, approached each and every man they saw. A battle of seduction, with the eyes of a prowler, they each expertly led man after man to their individual places of business. As they were searched for a companion for the night or until dawn, like moths to the flame, men fell to temptation.

Iris: “What do they want to get?”

Nathan: “Uhhh, I tell you when you’re older. Anais, where are we going?”

Anais: “Over there.”

Anais pointed out a building, lacking the luster of the others; in fact it was stand alone amongst the other building decorating the area. It would go complete unnoticed, if one weren’t searching for it amongst the rest.

Nathan: “What about it?”

Anais: “Earlier today, when you ask us to go protect Ramol, he wasn’t there.”

Nathan: “What?”

Anais: “He had left Kyr to work the stall by himself while he went off. I followed after him and-”

Anais stopped short of what she was going to say, as if something had been lodged in her throat.

Nathan: “Anais, what happened?”

Anais: “He asked me not to tell you, but you both need to hear this. What I saw earlier today.”

_

_

Ramol: ““NO, YOUR DEALINGS ARE WITH ME AND ME ALONE. LEAVE THE LYCANIAN OUT OF THIS!”

Anais: “(Ramol, what the hell is going on?)”

Anais made her way over to the alley but found one of the men standing at the entrance. He didn’t look like he was planning to let anyone walk by. Everyone who walked by acted as if they didn’t notice what was going on and continued on their way. Anais thought she could take him out easy enough, but hurting him might alert the others. She quickly ducked out of sight, taking a quick glance making sure no one could see her.

*poof*

Changing to her rodent form it should be easy for her to walk right by, but why take the chance. Activating ‘Shadow Sneak’ together with a few bounds, she had quickly made her way into the alley, the guard none the wiser.

?????: “This is not a negotiation Ramol.”

Ramol: “No, I won’t do it.”

Coming around the corner, Anais found Ramol arguing with one of the men. He was weird looking man, with cheeks that looked like a squirrel after they stuffed it with nuts. His clothes notably better than the other three, was a gaudy green color jacket over a black shirt. He stood there, a finger up his nose as he barely gave Ramol’s argument the time of day.

?????: “Listen Ramol, what problem is there with a meet and greet, all we want to do is have a word with the Lycanian see. But, word around town is the Lycanian is hard to persuade, says she does business with only a few people in town. It was just my luck that the same person she’s doing business with, I’m doing business with. So, I thought to myself, this is what I thought, why don’t we all go into business together? I, for one, think it’s a fine idea”

Ramol: “Our business is done Morty, I paid you back every coin I owed you.” Morty wagged his finger back and forth.

Morty: “Oh Ramol, did you forget…? You still owe the interest from being late.”

Ramol: “Late? I paid you your money on time, on the first of every month, always.”

Morty: “Ramol, must I bring up our contract, it doesn’t say “on” the first, but “by” the first. What that actually meant was, you were supposed to give me the money the day before the first.

Ramol: “Nonsense, that’s a stretch and you know it.”

Morty: “Doesn’t matter what you say, it’s not my fault you signed something without properly understanding it, see this is why mutts are so easily taken advantage of. You think they learn after so many years.”

So, from what Anais understood of the situation, Morty lent Ramol some money, which Ramol paid back, but now they were trying to force him back into debt once again. This way they could get him to set up a meet with Nathan. After Nathan’s stroll around town to all the merchants, he settled on Ramol and didn’t even think about ever selling anything of value to anyone else.

So, it’s not too far-fetched that someone would believe, getting in business with Ramol, would lead them to Nathan. However, that won’t be the case at all, for Nathan can see through lies as easy as breathing, he would never go into business with someone he didn’t completely trust.

Morty: “But I’m willing to forget all this if you do as I ask.”

Ramol: “It wouldn’t work, Na-, the Lycanian is extremely cautious, it won’t go like you think, they are all very untrusting of anyone.”

Morty: “That’s where you come in, show her what a great business opportunity the three of us could build together.”

Ramol: “You are not listening, the Lycanian won’t-”

*Snap*

*Bam*

Ramol: “Augh!?”

With a snap of his finger, one of Morty’s men move around to the side of Ramol. Anais jumped up, as one of the men smashed Ramol on his side, causing him to drop to his knees.

*Smack*

The other man kicked him in the back, knocking Ramol to the ground.

*Stomp*

Ramol: “Agrh!”

Morty stepped his head, grinding his foot into Ramol’s head.

Morty: “NO Ramol, I don’t think you’re listening. See, this isn’t a negotiation, this isn’t a request, this is just you doing as I say, because our business is DONE WHEN I FUCKING SAY IT’S DONE!”

Morty took the time to grind that last part into Ramol’s skull. Anais took a step forward; she had seen enough. It was time to put these assholes in their place. Just as she was about to move, her eyes met with Ramol’s. It took a moment, but he realized who’s she was and urged her not to interfere.

Anais: “*Squeak*Ramol?”

Morty: “Hmm, hey lookie here, looks like your cousin, come to watch, you guys look so much alike, even the dirt cover faces are similar.”

Morty laughed out loud at his ridicule of Ramol, a laugh that sounded just like a pig with ‘buhii’ sound. To see a mouse running around was nothing special and had no idea that it was Anais.

Morty: “Ramol. I don’t like doing this to you, honest I don’t, but you gotta understand your place in the world. You came to me in your time of need, and I being the gentlemen that I am took pity on you. I mean sure you paid me the money back, but you kept your business partner a secret from me and honestly that hurts.”

Morty wiped a strained tear from his eye, as he continued.

Morty: “Because if there one thing I can’t stand with business partners is secrets, cause when they get out and they will, someone’s, gets, hurt.”

After grinding the last few words into Ramol, he finally steps off his head.

Morty: “So in light of this, let’s say you owe me one.”

Anais was enraged as this point; every word coming out of his mouth was completely unreasonable. Ramol begged her to stop and it took every inch of her will power to do just that.

Morty: “You say, she doesn’t do business freely?......then find a way to make her more trusting. Cause I really hope the next meeting we have is strictly business. All this violence, it’s just not something I could ever enjoy. I’m off to get a new pair of shoes, this smell…like wet mutts, ugh.”

Morty laughed out loud as he left Ramol there on the ground. Ramol looked over to Anais as he stood up after the men were gone, wiping some dirt from his face.

*poof*

Anais returned to her Therian form, attempting to help him to his feet. Ramol kept his head down, refusing to talk, so Anais spoke instead.

Anais: “Ramol-”

Ramol: “I know what you’re going to say, but Nathan has already done so much for me, I can’t in good conscience have him bail me out once again.”

Ramol bowed to Anais, as low as he could go.

Anais: “Ramol!?”

Ramol: “Please keep what you saw today, quiet. This is something I got myself into and I’d rather deal with it myself. Please, I beg you.”

_

_

Anais: “And that’s what happened. After what happened, I followed them here.”

Anais finished her story and Nathan just remained quiet.

Iris: “Dreadful.”

Nathan: “They wanted to get in on the money making, so they did that. Dammit Ramol, why didn’t you say something?”

Honestly Nathan could understand his pride, but pride can’t stop a beating and from what Anais told him, they planned on beating him every day he refuses.

Anais: “Because of our meeting with him, he was able to pay them off; he didn’t want to get you involved with his problems any further.”

Iris: “But, they only returned because of us…the problem just escalated beyond what he is capable of handling.”

Nathan grinded his teeth, it was his fault Ramol had to deal with this. He had finally gotten away from the ‘loan sharks’, only to be brought back because of him.

Nathan: “Well, if they want a meeting with me so badly, then let’s go meet them.”

Anais & Iris: “What!?”

Anais: “After what they’ve done, you gonna meet them!?”

Nathan smiled with malicious glee and both the girls instantly understood, dawning similar smiles in expressions in turn.

Nathan: “If they want to go into business with me that badly, so be it.”

Anais: “Wait, we can’t rush right in, I’ve seen a lot of people going in and out of that place earlier today.”

Nathan: “Hmm, that could be a problem. Fine, a little reconnaissance never hurt anyone. Let’s spilt up. You three; scope out the building. I’ll look up on a familiar scent I passed earlier.”

Anais: “Three? What are you talking about?”

Nathan pointed to a chimney nearby, where familiar pair of horns was sticking out.

Anais: “Wait is that Ena…? You followed us!?”

The horns disappeared upon Anais’s question.

Ena: “M-Meoooooowwww~”

Anais: “You’re not fooling anybody.”

Nathan: “Pffftt!”

Nathan, with the three of them behind him, jumped down from the building and then took off down the street.

_

_

Noble: “Give back my money, you thieves.”

Beat: “Damn, run faster Jazz.”

Jazz: “I know already.”

Jazz and Beat, with they’re not-so-clean heist, were being chased through the streets by their target. Their thieving skills weren’t on-par with Viola; hence the chase that was currently happening. It didn’t take long for their target to realize his money was stolen and, shorter still, too figure out who had pilfered it.

Beat: “You were supposed to distract him; it was supposed to be clean getaway.”

Jazz: “Well, if you hadn’t knocked over the barstool on the way out, it would have.”

Noble: “I said stop you brats.”

*Fwoosh**Splat* *Crash*

Noble: “Gaaaaah!?”

Beat and Jazz turned, to see the noble crash head-first into a stall. He had been hit in the face with a rotten piece of fruit, causing the accident.

Beat: “Where in did that come from?”

Viola: “Over here.”

Beat: “Boss.”

Viola: “Don’t call me that and get over here.”

They did as they were told, quickly shuffling over to Viola. The noble had recovered just in-time to see the duo disappear down a small street.

Noble: “You’re not getting away.”

The Noble men quickly got his bearings and gave chase. They ran down a dark street; a dark street the noble was all too familiar with. He knew that this particular street lead to a dead end and that were cornering themselves. He drew his weapon as he came around the bend, only to be met with nothing.

Noble: “What…where could they have gone?”

The noble was sure they had turned down this way, he knocked over some crates nearby and looked for any hiding spot, but they had just simply disappeared. He quickly turned and went back the way he came. If they weren’t there, they must have turned down the other street. However, what the noble failed to see, was the rope slowly ascending and disappearing over a building.

Viola “Looks like he’s gone.”

Beat: “Phew, what a relief. Thanks for the assist boss.”

Jazz: “Yeah, We’ll be more careful the next time we go out.”

Viola: “You shouldn’t have been out here at all.”

Jazz: “What?”

Viola turned to the two startling them, she was pissed.

Viola: “What were you two thinking? Coming out here by yourselves? Don’t you know what would have happened if you were caught? You’re lucky I found you when I did.”

Beat: “But, but boss-”

Viola: “I don’t won’t to hear it and stop calling me boss.”

Viola looked over the roof, checking for any signs of the man who was chasing them.

Viola: “Looks like it’s okay. Let’s get off the streets. I swear sometimes you two are just too troublesome.”

Jazz: “…………No, I’m not going.”

Jazz glared at Viola, she was at her limit.

Viola: “Jazz, what’s wrong with you?”

Jazz: “What’s wrong with me, what’s wrong with you lately?”

Viola: “What?”

Jazz: “We’ve messed up before, and you would just tell us where when went wrong, but now you just get pissed. That’s not the Viola I know.”

Viola: “………….”

Jazz: “More than that, you haven’t stolen anything in days and all you do is sit around the hideout, sighing and staring into space. So, we try to cheer you up by getting an easy score.”

Viola: “Easy score, two kids and the middle of the red-light district, what other reason besides trying to rob someone would you be there for? Your mark would have pegged you a mile away.”

Jazz: “At least we’re trying to.”

Viola: “So you go out by yourselves and nearly get caught and you’re mad at me for worrying about you?”

Jazz: “Worried? We’re thieves…we should be worried every time we step outside. We know the risks; it’s the life we live.”

Beat: “Um, can we just get out of here, before we’re caught?”

Viola & Jazz: “Shut up, Beat.”

Beat quickly stepped away from the bickering woman, no longer having any confidence in stopping him.

Jazz: “It’s her fault, right?”

Viola: “Her?”

Jazz: “Don’t play dumb; the Lycanian. Ever since she stole from you, you’ve been sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. No one’s been able to get one over on you before, but since someone finally did, you sulk around like it’s the end.”

Viola: “…………….Is that what I’m doing?”

Jazz: “If it isn’t, what exactly is going on with you?”

She didn’t quite understand herself either, this feeling she had whenever she thought of the Lycanian, the tightness in her chest and her racing heart. She didn’t think she was so conceited, but she had also never been stolen from before. Maybe that was the case, but she wasn’t completely sure.

Viola: “I don’t really know myself, this never happened to me before; I don’t know what’s wrong with me. This feeling, I just don’t understand.”

When Jazz and Beat saw her strained expression, they understood that Viola had no idea what was wrong with herself, but she knew how they could find out.

Beat: “…….Then let’s go figure it out.”

Viola & Jazz: “What?”

Beat: “Let’s go see the Lycanian again, if you meet her again, we might figure out what’s going on with you.”

Jazz: “Yeah that might work, and if it doesn’t work we could always try to rob her again. Beat you can have good ideas sometimes.”

Beat: “Thanks………………Hey!”

Viola thought about it and it didn’t seem like a bad idea. If seeing and robbing the Lycanian would help get her out of her funk, then so be it. With that decided she decided to clear up a misunderstanding that the two were having.

Viola: “Let’s try it, but first…you two do know right…that woman is actually a man.”

Jazz: “What?”

Viola: “The Lycanian is not a woman but a man.”

Jazz: “I get ya, she a tomboy right.”

Beat: “Yeah, she even talks like a man sometimes, you heard about how she bashed Gaunt at the Guild the other day right?”

Jazz: “How can someone so beautiful, say things like that.”

Beat: “Doesn’t match her image at all.

Viola faced palmed, they weren’t hearing her at all.

Viola: “No, that’s not what I mean, his gender, is male.”

Beat: “What, are you okay boss, something wrong with your eyes too!?”

Viola: “I’ll belt ya one Beat, the Lycanian is a man.”

Beat: “No way, you think someone so pretty is a man?”

Jazz: “Are you sure you’re gonna be okay?”

Viola: “I’m just hella pissed, I’m telling you he’s a man.”

Nathan: “She’s right I am a man, I’m surprised you notice, like genuinely surprised.”

The three turned and were shocked to see Nathan standing on the edge of the roof.

Jazz: “The Lycanian!?”

Nathan: “Would mind just calling me Nathan?”