Rhathir some Serius business!

[Chia]

She decided to check the place out before the Cuhannan sent any job proposition. Something about the guy made her feel a bit uneasy – more so than the types usually made her feel, anyway – and she knew better than to dismiss her instincts. But, he did look the kind that might pay really well, and fizzy money was fizzy money.

Besides, she was invited, right?

Kinda, anyway.

First stop was the Ministry. People grumbled, or joked, about all the parchment-pushers there, but the place was awesome for getting the type of information she was looking for. Technically you couldn't so much as change a board in the wall without a piece of paper allowing you to do it. Of course loads of people didn't bother about it, but the nobs on the hill would at least file in the original plans... which was good enough for her purpose.

Of course, it was a matter of knowing the right people. Or, more accurately, the Right Amount people. It probably helped to had run into quite a few Kalem ledgers in the past. She knew exactly whom to go to.

The bald middle-aged man paled when she flashed him the Kalem recognition sign. Knowing the cant probably helped some, too.

He pretended not to understand. She pretended to be Kalem. She was much better at pretending than he could ever hope to be.

The payment was laughable. Two hundred crowns for a copy of the interior plans she was interested in. She flipped him the “you didn't see anything” sign along with the coins, trying very hard not to snicker through the veil covering her face.

If this was all Kalem needed to get such a good scoop on the rich and powerful, it was a wonder they didn't clear out the whole district.

Though... the later part might had been the reason.

Or just being stupid Kalem.

*

Getting into the district itself was even less of an issue. People thought the place was all off-limits. The mansions themselves, sure... but that didn't mean it was so hard to dodge the patrolling private guards and, say, shimmy up a tree somewhere to get a feel of the life inside any specific place.

Night settled in, and lights started to flicker behind the windows. She nibbled on the bar of.. what did the guy call it in common? “Choked latte?” Something like that, she wasn't listening, eyes already on the expensive brown bars displayed. People were so stupid not bringing loads of this stuff from Cuhanna. It'd sell like... some sweet delicious brown stuff people'd love!

An bek hal'beeja sa...

So... yummy...

Anybody noticing her now, settled on the branch to quietly watch the movements within 23 Empress Court, would have been amazed at the change in her behavior.

Her mouth was mostly closed, for starters.