Dissipation [Ivar]

[Aurin]

The Velvet Cabaret
60th of Glade, Year 123 of Steel

"Right, then," Aurin said. "By tomorrow, you will be on the invitation list."

"Thank you," said the unctuous Avialae. Until he had moved from managing the Cabaret to managing the Golden Peacock Theater nextdoor, Aurin hadn't been aware that there were unctuous Avialae. He moved in higher circles now, and he had more social capital, so of course he was using it.

"And I will introduce you to Lord Choi. Now..." He caught the eye of one of the dancers, and she took his meaning, coming over to work her wiles on the winged man. "It seems someone else wants your attention, so I shall bid you good evening."

"Oh. Oh. Yes. Yes, good evening, Master Kavafis... hello."

Aurin chuckled and stood up. She was going to fleece the man, and more power to her. Aurin was a lighter touch these days, having carved out a place for himself and his keiretsu. There was nothing like a high profile position to help feed favors and intelligence into his side hustle.

At the bar, he exchanged his watery ice for a fresh drink, as well as some information with the bartender. The years he had spent here had earned him the loyalty of many of the employees. He had saved their asses on multiple occasions, and they were only too happy to help grease the wheels of his grand endeavor. He tipped well, too.

Leaning against the bar, he looked out over the crowd. He didn't need his Semblance trick to see the ebb and flow of energy, sexual and otherwise. While he could enjoy the show as well as the intoxicants, he was largely inured to them, and so they made good distractions to those he did business with, granting him a bit of an edge. Aurin was always happy to manage a win-win situation, but until that time, it was the art of war out there, and he expected every smiling face to have a knife behind its back.

Realizing there were several faces he didn't recognize, he did engage his Semblance trick, the better to suss out their business. He liked to know things, even if they weren't always useful to him.

[Ivar]

Ivar was at a tavern, sitting on a wooden chair and drinking some ale. The room was loud and full of people, and they were all talking and laughing. There were people playing cards, and there was a man singing a funny song. Ivar looked around and saw a person he wanted to talk to. He walked up to the person.

"Hi, my name is Ivar. I heard you know a lot of stuff about people. I want to know if you have any dirt on this person I don't like. His name is Roderick, and I have a bone to pick with him."

The person looked at Ivar.

"Well, hello there, Ivar. I might have some information about your friend Roderick, but I need something from you first. I heard you know a lot about merchants in town. Can you tell me which one is selling shoddy material?"

Ivar thought for a moment.

"I think the merchant you're looking for is named Mr. Grimsby. He sells bad stuff, and people say his things break really fast. Now let’s discuss Roderick."

The person nodded.

"Alright, Ivar. I'll give you the information you're looking for. Roderick has been doing some bad things. He stole a golden necklace from a rich lady, and he's been lying about it. He also cheats when he plays games, and he doesn't play fair. I heard he's not nice to his friends either. So, if you want to get back at him, just tell everyone about the things he's done."

Ivar smiled.

"Thanks! That's just what I needed. Now Roderick will be in trouble, and maybe he'll change his tune."

The person laughed.

"You're welcome. Just remember, you didn’t hear it from me."

Ivar nodded. Today’s business had been completed ahead of schedule. It helped that it wasn’t very sensitive information. Ivar went over to get a drink and he saw Aurin leaning there but he was just another face in the crowd. Ivar was in a good mood now so he turned to him.

“Good night, isn’t it?”

[Aurin]

"They only allow good nights at the Velvet Cabaret," he said with a conspiratorial smirk.

Certainly, there were beautiful people, entertaining shows, intoxicants, and plenty of other things on the menu. One had to have a chip on one's shoulder and a yen to suffer if they wanted a bad night here.

Aurin gave the stranger a once-over, thinking perhaps he was a clerk or a shopkeeper with his spectacles and overall appearance, but when he delved with his Semblance trick, he realized they shared a Cardinal Rune. If he blinked for a moment, one could attribute it to the hookah smoke that always seemed to reach out into the main room from lounges set aside for them. That little nugget of information made the man more interesting; Aurin liked secrets and he wondered what this man's were.

"What are your plans for the evening?" he asked casually, then took a sip of his drink. "Voyeurism, inebriation...?"

Madame Lunaria prided herself on finding and marketing to any manner of vice. Thankfully, there were no bachelorette parties tonight. The high pitched shrieks of drunken glee and general entitled shenanigans always wore on his nerves. Of course, he had found a way to silence some of them—taking one for the team.

In the meantime, he tried to discern what the man was drinking; there were those who said that a man's choice of drink said something about them. Perhaps it did, though it wasn't the sort of detail Aurin relied upon when figuring someone out. There were plenty of other tells that might reveal themselves the longer he spoke to the man, though for the time being he was only a person of interest because of his Rune. Initiation was rough, and it took a certain innate resilience to even survive them. Traversion would have done a number on him if he hadn't been babysat by a proper witch.

[Ivar]

Ivar responded, chuckling softly at the notion of the Velvet Cabaret. He replied, raising his own glass in acknowledgement of the shared sentiment.

"It's a spectacle of sorts, would you not agree?"

He let Aurin's question hang in the air for a moment before responding with a shrug. His eyes were indicative of unspoken stories. He knew that in places like this, information was just as intoxicating as the drinks. The views were quite pleasant as well.

"I suppose you could say I'm here for a bit of both. Observation, indulgence, perhaps a bit of information gathering. You never know when you’ll hear something valuable… Though I ought to enjoy myself. I don’t get many days off from my time at the Circle of Spells. How about yourself? You look like the type who’s here to gamble."

Ivar had nothing to go off of when he made his observation about Aurin. He thought it might get the conversation going though. As for the rest of what Ivar said, that was the truth, and one he didn’t mind sharing with someone who didn’t look like an obvious criminal. He did not find business by hiding the fact that he dealt in information. Ivar would have liked nothing more than to go relax and enjoy time with some ladies but the circle of spells did not exactly pay him to study there. He still needed to make ends meet and ladies… they just wouldn’t fit in his budget.

As for the drink in Ivar's hand, it was a clear liquid. It could’ve been water, but it was just cheap vodka. It smelled something awful and somehow tasted worse. Ivar’s face soured considerably when he took a gulp of it. He only ever ordered vodka. It’s what his dad said real men drink.

[Aurin]

"The spectacle sets it apart from a brothel," he replied and sipped his own drink, a well-balanced bit of alchemy.

"Ah, a sorcerer?" He smiled indulgently. Magic was well-respected in Kalzasi. "Well, I hope your well vodka doesn't make you want to breathe fire. I can't imagine this place could stand up to magical fire. As for gambling, I do from time to time, but more often on a deal than on a hand of cards or a toss of the dice. Slurring tongues might wag here if it's information you're after, though. I do like to hear what people will admit when a bit loose and distracted by loose women. Or men, as the case may be." They even had some courtesans who were neither or both or something else altogether. "But mostly I come because I used to work here and the bartenders pour heavy for someone who used to take care of them."

Aurin glanced around.

"I don't see any sorcerers with their Circle robes up over their heads. Is there anyone in particular you're staking out? I might have heard a thing or two, either here or out and about. I work nextdoor now, at the Golden Peacock Theater. My name is Aurin Kavafis. 'Tis a pleasure to meet you."

He offered a bow from the waist in Kalzasern fashion.

Aurin knew a handful of Circle sorcerers. Some appreciated the theater, others appreciated the cabaret, and yet others were involved in seedy deals of which he was quietly aware. It had taken years, but it felt like he finally had the city on lock. If there was something he didn't know, he usually knew where to look or who to ask, and that would start him on the trail of discovery. He did love unearthing secrets.

[Ivar]

Ivar reciprocated the offered bow, a subtle tilt of his head to signify his acknowledgment. He allowed a soft chuckle to escape his lips at the man's comment about breathing fire. He grinned then spoke as he looked around.

"Indeed, I would hate to damage such a fine establishment. Alas my magic is one concerning navigating the slip space. I could not conjure a flame if my life depended on it."

As for Aurin's inquisition about his purpose, Ivar chose to tread carefully. It was clear that Aurin was well-versed in the city's goings-on, a man of many connections and likely many secrets. His words hinted at an extensive knowledge of the underbelly of Kalzasi, and it made sense to maintain a degree of mystery. He replied in a casual tone.

"Pleasure to meet you, Aurin Kavafis. I am Ivar Shipper, and I’m glad to hear they treat you well here. I’ve never been to the theater, but I hear it’s worth a visit."

His face soured as he took another disgusting gulp of his drink.

"Not staking out anyone, per se. I am simply keeping my eyes and ears open, taking in the evening's events. There are a number of people that I’d be happy to see... Like that man over there. Know anything about them? If he’s who I think he is then we might be in luck. I’ll happily split the reward money with you."

Ivar lifted a finger from his glass to point to a bearded man with a woman at each arm. He was heavy set and had a booming laugh that was hard to miss. Ivar had never seen him before, but he recalled hearing something about a man with that description who was wanted by a loan shark. If fortune smiled on him then there might be some money to be made.

[Aurin]

"Ahh," he acknowledged knowingly. Aurin knew what he knew, which certainly wasn't everything when it came to magic, but living in Kalzasi where most people could point you toward the Circle of Spells, one picked up a thing or two. "Fire seems like something a child would want—flashy, impressive. Fast travel is something one can bank on. Get out of slippery situations, move goods and people. I suppose you're a clever one."

The redhead grinned into his drink, sipped, and considered.

"Theater isn't for everyone, but the Golden Peacock is the most famous one in the city. It's just next door so you will often hear people offering their amateur reviews after a show lets out. That way you can hear whether it's something you might like." He shrugged. Everyone had their own preferences when it came to entertainment, whether that was types of theater or types of courtesans. Then again, several of the 'courtesans' here were courtesan in name only, and prostutite in fact—not that Aurin cared a fig. He understood the distinction, but work was work and sex work was sex work and he didn't judge anyone for making ends meet. Gods knew he had done some underhanded shit to survive over the years.

His brow furrowed; gulping vodka seemed like a bad idea, but this Ivar Shipper had made his selection. Aurin followed his line of sight surreptitiously, and glanced back before one could track that he had been looking for anyone.

"He enjoys the games of chance when people are playing. Works as far down in the commons as you can go before having to admit you're in the Low-City. Not the highest of high rollers, but I suppose anyone, given enough leeway, can piss someone off enough to put out a bounty, or...?" Curious hazel eyes settled back on Ivar. Few and far between were the people who just offered to share easy money. Then again, he didn't know if Ivar was capable of incapacitating someone, let alone transporting him. His Rune didn't seem all that well developed yet.

[Ivar]

"I've seen enough crazy shit at school to know that any magic can be incredible in its own right. Sometimes I regret going for traversion but I can't complain."

Later he nodded his head.

"Oh that's a nice tip. I would hate to get stuck at a performance that I didn't like. I’m still not skilled enough to teleport large distances, else that wouldn't be an issue.”

After Aurin told him the details about the man, Ivar grinned.

“That is quite a coincidence. He fits almost perfectly. I think that really is someone with a bounty. I'll have to check, excuse me for a moment."

He paused before leaving.

"I'm not just going to run off with the money by the way, but this client I have doesn't pay until he comes and checks things out for himself. I’m also not a fighter so I can’t subdue him. Even if I could I wouldn’t. Not for this client because he likes to do the beatings himself."

Ivar would then go outside and teleport several times until he got to a tavern down the street. He'd then teleport back and go stand by Aurin.

"He's on his way."

Whether Aurin believed him or not, a man with a couple goons came in a short while later. As soon as they entered their target started for the back door. The goons cleared a path and caught the target in time then they dragged him outside.

A less muscular man came up to Ivar so sneaky that Ivar didn’t even notice until he had a hand on his shoulder.

“Your payment.”

He put some coins in Ivar’s hand and then Ivar grinned. He split it in half and slid it over to Aurin. He did not feel bad honoring his deal because he felt like he had made a good contact. It took a special kind of person to know what Aurin knew.

“Easy right?”

[Aurin]

"I can only imagine," he said of the craziness of a magical education. What he knew had been learned by trial and error for the most part. Aurin was lucky to have survived as long as he had; he certainly wasn't clever. He was also much more circumspect about his magic, though he also wasn't a member of the Circle of Spells. If he had those credentials, he might be more open about such things. But as it stood, magic had always been something to hide and so he did.

The ginger just observed as Ivar Shipper blipped out of existence. He sipped his drink calmly, following the line of the slipspace he had taken, and so he wasn't surprised either when he returned.

At least the goons were quick about it. The Velvet Cabaret was no longer under his management, but the bouncers would move in if people or property were in danger of being damaged. The mark was apparently not a good enough tipper to earn some protection. Aurin knew the man who came in to pay Ivar, and they exchanged nods. The music was starting up again, the courtesans attempting to lull their clients back into good times and easy spending. At least there was nothing apparent connecting them to the goons.

"Best not to get one's hands dirty unless necessary," he agreed. But he eyed the coins. "Are you certain? That's an awfully generous split for someone who just played informant a bit. You went and did the legwork."

Perhaps Ivar was buttering him up for future collaborations, and it was nice to see honor among thieves—or honor among informants, anyway. It didn't hurt to know people. Aurin prided himself on being people who know people, though some of those people were mere glamours and stories he made up so certain things couldn't be traced back to him.

[Ivar]

With a casual shrug, Ivar looked the man in the eye. He tried to get a feel for Aurin’s character. So far, he liked what he saw. He especially liked how useful he’d been.

"Hey, seems fair to me. Plus, gotta admit, I kinda like your style. Like, most would've tried to haggle and all that. And who knows, all that haggling might've cost us the mark. Could've just slipped away while we're sitting here arguing about coin."

He paused for a moment, eyeing the other guy with a spark of curiosity. There were a lot of questions he wanted to ask but he didn’t know whether he would get any good answers.

"You know the guy from when you were working here or something? Or you just that good at keeping tabs on everyone in this place?"

There was a genuine curiosity in his voice. This stuff was all new to Ivar, and he was still getting the hang of how things worked in this weird, exciting world of information brokering. Ivar wasn't one to get greedy. Honestly, he didn't think he deserved a bigger cut of the coin. Maybe it was because he was still pretty new to all of this, or maybe it was because he was just happy to have some extra coin in his pocket. I mean, life as a scrivener in school wasn't exactly rolling in the riches.

The cost of scrivening supplies alone could wipe out most of his coin. Those fancy scrolls and magical inks cost a fortune, and it wasn't like they were growing on trees. Every bit of extra coin meant another day he could practice his magic without worrying about running out of supplies. So, yeah, he was just stoked to have a little extra cash in his pocket. It made this whole crazy, information brokering gig totally worth it.