Open The Slups The Grand Crime Market

[Ivo Suresight]

Ivo clicked his tongue and put his paw on her shoulder. He had his priorities straight so far. But he was in the end a beast like any other, one that had needs that run deeper than ambitious plans for becoming a grey eminence within the city.

“I think ‘tis the moment where we have t’go somewhere private. This ain’t d’place to talk secrets.” He moved her paw from his chest, keeping it in his. His tail now moved around her waist as he continued his ministration to ensure this whole affair to work out in the way he wants… and maybe desires.


“Your place o’choice of mine?” He asked with coy smile. Happy with his the choice of his words.

 

[Marianna Furotazzi]

Marianna knew exactly what he was doing, and hated that it was working. A confident smile and a few brushes of the tail? Really Marianna, is that all it takes? It was never a feminine voice she heard chastising her in her mind, but a masculine one - likely her father finding a way to shame her from beyond the grave. From what she'd read of the fox, he'd certainly have found a lot to be ashamed of in her.

"Your place first," she decided, stepping back just a pace, though she did not drop his paw. "If I'm going to be inviting such an unpredictable element into my innermost circle, I need to better understand him, after all... and they say a male's den says a lot about his personality."

 

[Ivo Suresight]

Ivo nodded… and immediately considered the fact he has to get back to the Zann’s Backyard while walking with someone reasonably affluent. The vixen wasn’t stupid for sure, but the ways he normally used would guarantee some blood spill from somebeast.

Grasping Marianna by her paw now, he decided on the scenic route by the Slups main streets. One that would at least give a modicum of safety. Ivo enjoyed an idle chatter and to keep appearances it was perfect. Also allowed to kill time and take some attention away from remembering the path too easily. About twenty minutes later they managed to get to the (in)famous Zann’s Street beyond which a much nicer neighbourhood lied.

He of course still, more out of habit than anything, chose a rather convoluted route to his home. A perk of being the one who maps the cities was knowing them like the back of your tail. Another quarter of an hour later, the two finally entered a humble and ordinary tenement.

Ivo’s apartment lied on the floor, it was clean, nicely furnished and hold many various art pieces. Nothing a rich person couldn’t do without any problem but Ivo being an artist himself, could find what looked great no matter who made it.

One notable thing about his living room however was the very light sign of usage. Clearly it was a house well maintained but also one barely lived in. That is at least until Ivo without a word, immediately brought Marianna to his office/bedroom. This one was clean but messy due to hundreds of sketches, notes and drawings lying around. Some of which while seemingly harmless, like a map of the Imperial Docks, held much information about their secrets, security and strategic points of interest.

Ivo kicked a short cupboard to reveal a secret stash of small bottles of liquor, some clearly smuggled, before sitting down and waving his paws around the room. “Welcome t’my den. Hope y’ll enjoy yer stay.” He chuckled and wagged his tail. There was certainly pride in his voice about his little empire of intelligence.