IF YOUR DESIRED INTERACTION IS TIME-SENSITIVE, PM US FIRST TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS.
CREE.
Owner of the discreet Gilded Cage hideout. Cree has traveled all of El Nysa and established his spies, or "little birds" in every corner of the world. He knows intimate details about important figureheads of both factions, and suspects that the refugees are not all that they seem to be. Despite being a known criminal and the apparent orchestrator of the VIOLET 2710 attacks, he provides work for the lower class and seems to have a generally positive reputation. He has a strong dislike for Ashti.
Cree is almost never seen without a small bird on his shoulder. You might find that you have seen this bird before, and if you listen closely enough, you will hear it speak common to its owner. If you specifically request contact with the the bird alone, it is entirely possible it will carry out a conversation with you.
A character's first interaction with Cree is free of any favor, but they will be required to take up a job (thief, enforcer, informant) before they can return for more information. Sign up at the EMPLOYMENT THREAD and direct any other inquiries by characters here. IC consequences for breaking silence on his whereabouts to their other NPCs will be discussed by PM.
[Takasugi slips between the world of sovereign law and the realm of thieves' honor with ease. It's a transition he's made enough for the worlds to blur, though he doubts they were ever so different in the first place.
The blood's just a little fresher, a little bit more on display, here.
Cree's invitation comes and passes - Takasugi pausing only after his stride has come to an even stop.
He looks at the man, and with a slow dawning smile, takes the seat as bidden.] You must be hiding some exciting secrets, with a deal like that. [He leans back, splaying himself comfortably, yukata left to hang open in the stifling, humid heat.]
So. What were they hoping for, launching their grand attack? [Using terror to drive nations together isn't too far-fetched of a method, but Takasugi finds that politics are never quite so simple.]
[ Cree takes no small amusement in the way the Takasugi has put himself on display. He raises his hands in admittance with a smile, leaning back in his own relaxed state. It's similar enough, if less... open. ]
What do you think they were hoping for? Surely you must have some ideas floating around. There has been a cure all this time, known to our rulers since the first attack began... the intention was not to just make the good people suffer.
[Ask a question and receive one in turn. Not much of an answer, is it? Takasugi shakes his head with a chuckle, turning his attention towards fetching the kiseru pipe and tobacco satchel from his yukata.
He places the golden metal between his teeth, bite audible. There are so many impetuses for terrorism - he doesn't care to list them all.] Societies unite in times of peril. [An answer he's bored with, and obviously so.] Or, they're sewing unrest.
[Maybe enough such that they can reap the head of a country in the end.]
Societies that are otherwise at odds with each other, united? It's almost as if they were trying to point at finger at who might be keeping them from true peace.
[ Cree observes the withdrawal of the pipe, seemingly inspired by his relaxation. He leans back to reach to the table by his seat, taking up a bottle of bourbon in one hand and two glasses in the other. He raises them both with raised brows, silently questioning whether or not Takasugi would like one poured. ]
This truce will not last. They, or rather... we were hoping it would leave a lasting impact on the newcomers, who have no blind loyalty to those they do not truly understand.
[A plume of smoke spills from Takasugi's mouth, pipe lit with a sigh of disdain. Peace is something Takasugi has never been interested in.
True peace is something he's never known.
Sovereigns' petty squabbles keeping a nation from stability, however, he's well familiar with. It's an advantage he's taken more than once to tear down those in his way.
He'll accept the drink with a nod and a lazily outstretched hand, fingers wrapping around the brim once the filled cup is offered.
But he doesn't raise it to his lips.] What an altruistic cause you've killed for. How many more of you do you think will die in back alleys until the world is a better place?
[The casualties of Cree's men - some by his hand - are of more concern. Those who die for a misplaced cause waste more than those who die as collateral.]
[ His lips thin, and his grip around his glass grows tighter, but Cree ultimately holds his tongue. The criticism isn't unfair. He won't dispute it. ]
It was never my intention they die. [ He pauses to take a sip from his own glass, then lowers it with a somber smile. ] We did not reevaluate our plans to account for simple refugees having abilities that surpass our own. A foolish mistake of great cost, yes. However, all of them had been wronged by the figureheads your companions have found employment in, and all of them would have done anything to return the favor. I don't regret providing them that chance, and I will not regret moving forward.
I don't intend to sacrifice a garden to uproot weeds, Takasugi. But I will not let them grow to overtake it.
[With Cree's subtle display of tension noted, Takasugi drinks. A toast to finding a sore spot in a man as fleeting as shadow. Caring for your men in the way that leaves you hoping for their longevity can be crippling.
So can underestimating 'simple refugees'.
But the man speaks to his understanding of that, so Takasugi takes no issue.
Not when the assumption that he's on the same path as the other evacuees leaves the liquor tasting acrid on his tongue.] I don't remember casting my lot in with them. [A blaze correction, his irritation only betrayed by a flick of his thumb across the brim of his glass.]
I'd rather have my chance at revenge too. [A man who sharpens the fangs of angry men, all in the name of moving forward, is a man Takasugi understands. A man he can work with.] Think you can give me that opportunity? [Of course, not directly, Cree's domain far smaller than the scope of space and an all-consuming storm floating through it.
But Takasugi isn't unfamiliar with starting from rock bottom.]
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action
The blood's just a little fresher, a little bit more on display, here.
Cree's invitation comes and passes - Takasugi pausing only after his stride has come to an even stop.
He looks at the man, and with a slow dawning smile, takes the seat as bidden.] You must be hiding some exciting secrets, with a deal like that. [He leans back, splaying himself comfortably, yukata left to hang open in the stifling, humid heat.]
So. What were they hoping for, launching their grand attack? [Using terror to drive nations together isn't too far-fetched of a method, but Takasugi finds that politics are never quite so simple.]
no subject
What do you think they were hoping for? Surely you must have some ideas floating around. There has been a cure all this time, known to our rulers since the first attack began... the intention was not to just make the good people suffer.
no subject
He places the golden metal between his teeth, bite audible. There are so many impetuses for terrorism - he doesn't care to list them all.] Societies unite in times of peril. [An answer he's bored with, and obviously so.] Or, they're sewing unrest.
[Maybe enough such that they can reap the head of a country in the end.]
no subject
[ Cree observes the withdrawal of the pipe, seemingly inspired by his relaxation. He leans back to reach to the table by his seat, taking up a bottle of bourbon in one hand and two glasses in the other. He raises them both with raised brows, silently questioning whether or not Takasugi would like one poured. ]
This truce will not last. They, or rather... we were hoping it would leave a lasting impact on the newcomers, who have no blind loyalty to those they do not truly understand.
no subject
True peace is something he's never known.
Sovereigns' petty squabbles keeping a nation from stability, however, he's well familiar with. It's an advantage he's taken more than once to tear down those in his way.
He'll accept the drink with a nod and a lazily outstretched hand, fingers wrapping around the brim once the filled cup is offered.
But he doesn't raise it to his lips.] What an altruistic cause you've killed for. How many more of you do you think will die in back alleys until the world is a better place?
[The casualties of Cree's men - some by his hand - are of more concern. Those who die for a misplaced cause waste more than those who die as collateral.]
no subject
It was never my intention they die. [ He pauses to take a sip from his own glass, then lowers it with a somber smile. ] We did not reevaluate our plans to account for simple refugees having abilities that surpass our own. A foolish mistake of great cost, yes. However, all of them had been wronged by the figureheads your companions have found employment in, and all of them would have done anything to return the favor. I don't regret providing them that chance, and I will not regret moving forward.
I don't intend to sacrifice a garden to uproot weeds, Takasugi. But I will not let them grow to overtake it.
no subject
So can underestimating 'simple refugees'.
But the man speaks to his understanding of that, so Takasugi takes no issue.
Not when the assumption that he's on the same path as the other evacuees leaves the liquor tasting acrid on his tongue.] I don't remember casting my lot in with them. [A blaze correction, his irritation only betrayed by a flick of his thumb across the brim of his glass.]
I'd rather have my chance at revenge too. [A man who sharpens the fangs of angry men, all in the name of moving forward, is a man Takasugi understands. A man he can work with.] Think you can give me that opportunity? [Of course, not directly, Cree's domain far smaller than the scope of space and an all-consuming storm floating through it.
But Takasugi isn't unfamiliar with starting from rock bottom.]