Open The Slups Crime Cartographer

[Ivo Suresight]

As it was his at least bi-weekly tradition, Ivo sat down at random shady pub in the Slups. This one was called "The Laughing Well". Ivo wasn't here to laugh nor to quench his thirst. He knew at this place, his connections made him safe. With that, he could just listen, sitting in the corner with mediocre drink. Seemingly busy just drawing while in fact, meticulously memorizing a lot of details. His spot wasn't chosen at random, it allowed him to look over most of the establishment without having to move at all. Also he could hear the conversations behind the thin wall where the most shady deals were made. Truly a perfect spot. One he almost wish he could share with certain someone... maybe someday once they are be free of their duties and expectations upon them.

Albeit to say he was alone would also be wrong. Plenty of beasts came to sit down by his table, even if for just a moment. It was rarely someone who wouldn't know Ivo. He had his small amount of fame still and he was using it to trade. Trade in one and only good that had value beyond any coin or whim. Information, that was the real currency he worked with.

Usually he dealt with simple requests. Someone wanted to know how to enter a certain place, escape routes, alternate paths in and out. Those were the simplest things he dealt with, just because he was most likely the only beast in this town who bothered mapping it all. And with usual lack of deeper thought most of those with such requests had, Ivo got quite good at gathering information from them. Usually they were runners, sent to speak with him and get information for their groups. A bit of tongue pulling and charm was usually enough to learn who sent them. With that, connecting who was doing what job was easy. And that was more than often more valuable than whatever information he was sharing.

And it was due to much smaller yet more lucrative part of his clientele. His fellow spies, albeit ones more prominent in subterfuge than he ever was. They knew him, he knew them. They were aware that he could tell them a lot with no risk of getting captured and wrangled. Yet they knew also his price was high, a secret costed a secret. That was his fare, one Ivo got great at leveraging.

Today so far had already one of those. He just left with information about the heist a gang rivaled to his was planning. He paid in location of his gang base of operations. A fair price, one that Ivo made sure to put upon his sketch to both memorize it and keep it for later. Taking a long swig of his ale, he looked around the room, taking in all that was happening inside again. Somebeasts were playing dice, one of them cheating. There were two brutes harassing a doe. Not something that he liked to see but acting against it would bring more harm than good. All in all just patrons doing their nightly stuff. Nothing out of ordinary really. Which left him thinking, which one of them just waited to get to speak with him now... not that he was that famous but... he wasn't her incognito for sure.

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

It was, surprisingly, a golden-furred brute of a fox who sat down at the table. "Yer Ivo, righ'?" he barked, offering one bandaged paw. The spots above his knuckles were stained a dark crimson. "Falun Furotazzi. I understand yer acquainted wiv' my sister Marianna."

 

[Ivo Suresight]

It took Ivo a lot to not give out any sort of reaction. Falun Furotazzi. An infamous and brutal enforcer. Still he reached out and in a grasped his paw. "Aye, t'very same. What can I help ya with?" He simply asked trying to gauge if this was to be business talk or personal matters talk. If the latter, Ivo just made sure that he would be seen should any harm come to him. Furotazzis were powerful true, but beating up Ivo would be costly to any single member of theirs. Especially now that he had decent insight into their operations.

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun gave Ivo's paw a firm shake, enough to be respectful rather than an attempt at intimidating. "I'm sure yer familiar with the traditional older brother of the girlfriend speech - 'if yeh break my sister's heart I'll rip out yers, yadda yadda yadda'." He waved a paw dismissively. "This ain' that. I've been askin' around a bit, an' yer name comes up a lot as one a' the best in the business. Frankly, we're lucky t' have ya joinin' the Family." He leaned in and added, "That's why I'm askin' ya, politely, ta break up wiv' my sister.

"Now, b'fore ya say anythin', this is nothin' t' do wiv' ya not bein' right fer her," he clarified, putting up a paw. "Frankly, I know she'll never do better 'n ya cuz, well, I've seen her type. But my sister is a mess," he warned, "an' anytime she gets involved with someone in the business, it always blows up and comes back on the Family. So, fer the sake of avoidin' all that, and not immiseratin' yerself, I'm askin' ya ta cut it off now, before things can go really sideways. That way we can keep ya in the Family an' you don' have ta see the worst side a' my sister."

 

[Ivo Suresight]

Ivo did not expect that. Of all that he was readying himself for, that was the most unexpected outcome. One that was worrisome. Ivo... needed more details. Feeling lost more than he did in a very long time. "Look, I ain't tryin' t'disrespect ya or yer words. But I wanna know, why is me bein' with 'er's such a problem?" Ivo felt as certain mix of dread and anger rose within him. Albeit he kept it contained. He still wanted to do business and losing his temper wouldn't help him.

"I ain't even tryin' to get into the family y'know? Me an her jus' share a goal to hapiness. I don't plan on droppin' it. And ya would help yerself, me and yer sister by telin' me what' expect." Ivo asked trying to gauge what to deal with. He woudn't dare leaving Marianna, but if there was something he could do to prevent whatever Falun had in mind? He had to work on it.

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun sighed, looking more weary and defeated than anything. "Look, I've seen my sister blow up 'er relationships time an' time again, an' even lost a few friends over it. She always gets in and starts mixing business with pleasure. She's real insecure about her intellect, so she always picks guys who she can talk down to, belittle, y'know? Not that I'm sayin' yer thick," he amended, "jus'... Her type tends ta be more on my intellectual level 'n hers. An' maybe that makes you the exception," he allowed. "Maybe what she needed was someone who can give her a challenge. Jus' don' be surprised if she starts disparaging what ya have ta say an' puttin' ya down a lot.

"Anyway, eventually she gets bored a' her todds, an' she turns real mean ta 'em. Not hittin' or nothin', jus' really cuttin' 'em down, makin' 'em feel small. Eventually they get sick a' it, make a big scene, an' she makes a show a' leavin'. I guess what I'm saying in, m' sister's nothin' but trouble an' drama down th' line fer ya, so best advice I can give ya is t' split now 'fore it gets worse."

 

[Ivo Suresight]

Ivo listened very carefully before sneering and looking down, his healthy ear dropping as he was pondering just one thing. Could his case be different? He had no reason to trust Falun's words. But he also could see he wasn't lying. That hurt. Hurt him a lot even. Because he heard from her one truth that confirmed this. Mari was insecure about her being disposable. Yet at the same time, she claimed to not wish to command others. Those statements, this revelation, it all painted a picture he himself knew way to well. Brutal fight to be both irreplaceable and yet to not delve into cruelty. Something Ivo himself was dealing with at many days.

In a way it felt... actually relieving. He hold not only a dream close to hers. He also had the same struggle as she did. Ivo could end entire gangs out of pettiness. Or cause quite a lot of trouble in the city should they anger him. He held the power, but he didn't like it. Willingness to preserve this life and unwillingness to cause more suffering, those stopped him. And he hoped maybe Marianna too had something like that.

"I see..." Ivo spoke and chuckled, raising his head to meet Falun's gaze with his. "I think I've jus' a right solution to this. If yer afraid of ya buisness... I ain't a todd t' act on pettiness. I'd be a rug, not a broker, if I weren't able t' separate private an' buisness stuff." He took a long swig of the drink, downing it and putting the mug on the table. "I'll still try. Worst case? Yer gettin a last laugh on me and am endin' miserable. But ya family's safe. I'll jus' deal with ya from that point." He then smiled, conviction of a fool, or resolution, shining behing his eyes. "Or I jus' may get t' finda key to her. Am bad at lockpicking but I've jus' 'nuff of ways I know of t' try."

He then ripped a bit of paper from the sheet he held, scribbling on it two numbers before giving it to Falun. "Keep it. If ya come t' me with them, I'll 'member what I jus' said for sure."

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun nodded in relief at Ivo's assurances, and he took the slip of paper, tucking it into his coat pocket. "Pretty bold promise," he noted, "but I'll trust ya wiv' it. An', fer what it's worth," he allowed, "I'd like ta see ya succeed wiv' Anna. Don' get me wrong," he added, "she's way too old fer ya, an' I'm a little worried that'll be a problem down the line, but if that don' scare ya away, then more power to ya. It'd be nice ta have ya in one family, if not th' other."

 

[Ivo Suresight]

Ivo just chuckled at the notion. "A dozen years issa lot. But I ain't a kit. Growin' with' gang robs ye and makes ya grow faster. Yer should know this well." He grinned widely. Raising his scarred eyebrow before letting out a small laugh. "That ain't a problem I worry 'bout fer sure. As for family stuff. I like t' be a free soul. Don't consider me joinin' but I ain't ratting ye out for sure."

He then took more relaxed pose, more akin to the one he held before Falun came in. There were voices coming from the thin wall behind him. Other than those, not a single beast could possible hear what was said here. Ivo... decided to deal with that now. "If yer lookin' for sum' intel. be my guest. If that's all ya're after however, do me and yerself a favour and aquaint yer knuckles with dem guys behind the wall. They could've heard a tad bit too much and yer very convincin' from what I know." He smiled roguishly, hoping Falun will care for secrecy as much as Ivo did.

 

[Matisse Dubois]

Whilst the conversation carried on in its earnest tones beneath the chatter of the rowdy patrons of The Laughing Well, another pair of ears was working hard to discern what it could, though it was to little avail. Matisse had dressed down for the occasion, enduring the ragged clothes and tawdry rags of the locals so as to draw fewer eyes, and sat at the bar seemingly occupied with whittling some small trinket or other as he whiled the time away. His contact was meant to have arrived an hour ago: absence was rarely a promising sign within his network. Shame, really: he’d rather liked the fellow.

The sable had resigned himself to the likelihood that his contact had died, selfishly requiring he waste an evening exploring fresh options when a fox had walked in. Ivo. He’d had no personal dealings with the todd as of yet, but there were few with their heads screwed on in his line of work who didn’t know of his reputation. For the time being, he'd elected instead to stick it out. There was always something to be gleaned, however, miniscule, when beasts of repute were near.

Matisse had no doubt he would eventually have use and need for Ivo's services, but for now he was far more interested in whatever was going on between him and the next todd who walked in. A quick tilt of the head as he slopped down disgusting ale provided a glimpse. Furotazzi. Interesting. Keeping his back to them now, the sable worked away in silence; if he could not hear the content of their conversation he might at least pick out the scrape of a chair or a hasty exit. Besides, where else need he be in any rush?

 

[Falun Furotazzi]

Falun gave a small shrug at Ivo's response, deciding to drop the matter. Either Ivo would take the advice or he wouldn't. And who could say? Maybe he and Marianna would prove to be right for each other after all. Or this would all turn out to be a catastrophe, and Falun could at least wash his hands of it knowing he'd tried his best.

He grinned at the invitation to violence, his eyes lighting up at the offer of his second favorite hobby. "Oh, I'll make sure they won't be talkin'," he promised. "At leas', not fer a good long while." He cracked his knuckles, a disturbingly visceral sound, and got up from his chair, circling around to the other room. Through the wall, Falun's voice could be heard proclaiming, "Gen'lemen, I'm afraid I'm gonna 'ave t' ask fer yer discretion... well, per'aps more demand it, in this instance." The sounds of muffled violence started up shortly thereafter.

 

[Ivo Suresight]

Ivo cringed a good bit upon hearing the violence. He wanted to scare them and not get Falun sent them to early graves. But what was done was done. Deciding he needs a bit more liquid in his mug, he stood and picked up his items and moved to the counter for some replenishments. While his moves were confident and sure as ever, his mind was filled with doubt. Decision was made, but was it correct one? Only time could tell. For now he was still at... his second work and that meant tasks needed to be done. Thus he just for now refocused on the room around him, searching for those who would like to speak with him... and gauging what price they could pay.

 

[Fanjo Mercytooth]

Heralded by the chink of the buckles on his boots, Fanjo stalked into the bar. His left fist bunched around a rope, which in turn wound around a wriggling sack he dragged easily along the floor behind him. The grey fox's gaze rested upon no one but his intended conversationalist, completely unfazed by the sounds of fighting nearby. It may as well have been the music of the tavern.

The bounty hunter came to a stop before Ivo, assuming the other fox for the contact he had been given.

"Guessin' you're Mr Suresight? Hear you're the new source for jobs needing doing. Might be I can take something off your paws for the right cut."

The sack he held grunted and squirmed. Without even looking at it, he gave it a firm kick and the lump fell quiet.​

 

[Ivo Suresight]

A bounty hunter. Definitely not Ivo’s preferred clientele. Ones that were usually not too absorbed with details during their work and thus they had little to share on their own. Ivo knew of quite a lot of active or more secret bounties. The case was that he was just a broker. Meaning it was harder for him to get his cut. And the bag that seemingly hold somebeast within wasn’t helping at all.

Besides he felt like he took a jab. New? He was in this business for five years now. And information gathering was his duty since he was a small kid. He blinked, small amount of discomfort shined behind his eyes and his tail had risen.

But he managed his emotions again. He was still agitated after talking with Falun but… He shouldn’t for this reason try the fragility of his web of operations. After a moment during which he got a fresh mug of ale, Ivo turned finally to the hunter.

“Aye. Jus’ to let ya know, am only a broker. I can tell ya who currently has sum’ bounties. But I ain’t one who pays for ‘em.” Ivo made sure to clarify and calmly explain his purpose “In otha’ words. At low price, ya’ll be able t’name whatcha after and I’ll getcha all details and good jobs.”

 

[Matisse Dubois]

Masking his smug smirk with a wrinkled nose of focus, Matisse continued with the simple whittling as Ivo drew nearer to the bar. One way or another beasts contrived to cross paths; one just had to be patient and let them approach. It always aided plausible deniability, after all.

The sable had been considering how to go about addressing this fox when the soft chink of metal introduced another player on the board. He was glad he'd selected the seat which kept his blind side averted; both of these gave the impression of being beasts not to take lightly. Still, Matisse couldn't help but notice the pattern continue to play out: wherever trouble began to brew it was always a fox at the centre of it.

As they were both engaging in conversation he was content to gather that he could, establishing soon enough that this newcomer must be taking bounties or similar dirty work; Ivo self-proclaimed himself a broker. A quick glance towards the source of the muffled sounds by the newcomer's footpaws raised eyebrows and he knew there was no way to keep himself ignorant of the conversation.

"'Ere now," Matisse chuckled, nodding to the sack, "you sure you ain't got to finish your first job before pickin' up another?"