Mar considers the offer for a fraction of a second. Putting her at ease could make this task easier, but accepting risks her becoming more confident and causing her to attempt to become the dominant speaker. Slightly regretfully, though he doesn't let it show, Mar declines the offer politely, then forges on with the task he accepted. Speaking quietly, Mar continued, "No thank; I'd prefer to get straight to the matter at hand, if you don't mind."
Tira nodded. "I have half. I have spent everything I have trying to get my mother well. She is finally recovering, and I can get the rest very soon. Please, I beg you, bring this to your masters, and give me just a little more time."
Mar thinks for a moment before answering, though his thoughts are not on how Lucian will react to this attempt. Masters. Bah. I did not think I would be used to run errands, but I suppose at least this is less annoying than those spirits were. And these Orzhova... to hold people controlled in such fear, and be have it be sanctioned... An excellent platform for testing people on whether they pass or fail when confronted when adversity.
"You understand I cannot guarantee that this will be acceptable. Perhaps if you were able to offer up concrete details of how and when you will be able to make the payment we would be able to consider it in more detail." At least she is not like that Saem, wasting time and money on dice.
That sounds... reasonable, at least.
"Two weeks? I'm feeling nice enough to relay your message and your partial payment to those you owe, but I cannot guarantee that they will be as forgiving. If you'd just hand me the half you have, I'll be on my way."
Mar reacts with slight surprise to Tira's statement. "The thought of counting never even crossed my mind. After all, you are not an unintelligent person. But, since you insist..." Despite this, Mar did give the bag and its contents a cursory inspection to check that it was, in fact, filled with money. Tucking the bag of coinage into the inside of his robes, next to the odd crystal, where it would be difficult to get at without noticing, Mar prepared to head back to Lucius.
This assumes I don't discover that the bag is filled with granite or anything of that sort.
Heading back to Lucius and the Church of Deals, Mar reflected on the disparity of the two tasks he'd worked on. Everything goes easier when people are reasonable, I suppose. And Tira seemed reasonable enough. What exactly is the punishment for those who fail to pay, though? Is it worth more or less than the balance owed? Still, hopefully the next three will be as simple, though somehow I doubt they will all be that easy.
I should have accepted the tea.
Even semi-lost in thought, Mar maintains enough presence of mind to avoid running into others or getting lost, and takes a direct path back.
Pulling the bag out of his sleeve, Mar offers it to Lucius. "She had partial payment, with the request for another two weeks to get the rest. Since, unlike the prior debtor, she appeared to have the means to do so, I had no information on the length the debt has been unpaid for, and lacking any information on how much this is valued relative to the punishment for non-payment, I saw no reason not to relay the request and the partial payment."
Lucius took the bag and scowled slightly. "Very well. I have faith in your judgment. An agent will be dispatched to negotiate the terms. Any further questions?"
"Very well." Nodding acquiescence, Mar turns and leaves once more, heading for the Colosseum. As he travels, he keeps an eye on his surroundings, though he is distracted slightly by his curiosity as to how Lucius was waiting for him. I'm sure this is some sort of test. He just happens to have a list of updating names on him, and he is able to meet me upon arrival? But how am I being observed? In person, or from a distance. Or... mentally? Greel works for them, and they have the resources. I need to invest in better defenses. Perhaps everyone involved is aware... but I will play my part, for a deal is a deal.
Realizing how many people are present around the arena, Mar is rather annoyed, a common reaction from him. Bother. Of course, someone will have heard of this Argent fellow. The trouble is in finding someone who knows. Hopefully he'll turn out to be a fighter that everyone knows, and not a quiet spectator who no one remembers. Still, he must owe a debt for a reason... Knowing that where there is frivolous fighting, there tends to be those seeking to profit, Mar decides to search for somewhere where people place bets on the outcomes of the arena battles. Really though, 8000? That's more than Saem. What could this person possibly spend that much on? More importantly, why? With any luck, it's all gone towards gambling, and if there's a big spender, I should be able to get more knowledge about his wherabouts.
Trying to avoid contact with others as much as possible, Mar looks around to see if he can find someone who looks like a regular to the area and thus would be familiar with those who typically are around.
Waiting for an appropriate moment such as to not disturb their exercises, Mar approached the group. "Pardon me, but would you happen to know where I could find an Argent Solum? I've got a message for him."
Mar sighed, slightly annoyed. "Let's pretend I've been on another plane for some time and have no idea who anyone is anymore." Mar carefully does not let his annoyance color his tone. "So, can you direct me towards either the location of or a way to contact this person?"
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
"You understand I cannot guarantee that this will be acceptable. Perhaps if you were able to offer up concrete details of how and when you will be able to make the payment we would be able to consider it in more detail." At least she is not like that Saem, wasting time and money on dice.
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
"Two weeks? I'm feeling nice enough to relay your message and your partial payment to those you owe, but I cannot guarantee that they will be as forgiving. If you'd just hand me the half you have, I'll be on my way."
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
"Thank you." Tira said, as Mar left.
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
I should have accepted the tea.
Even semi-lost in thought, Mar maintains enough presence of mind to avoid running into others or getting lost, and takes a direct path back.
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!