Person Of Interest in Megas
Sylvannah leaned over the observation bannister's railing, her tail swaying behind her as she looked out over the sprawling city of Megas. The place was a legendary den of sin; a playground for adults of every class, tucked away in the middle of the Natherican plains. Every day and every night there was something going on; it was truly the city that never sleeps, even more so than anywhere else in the world that might lay claim to that cliche. And now here they were, the Seven Sins, come to Megas on assignment. It was an assignment unlike any they'd been issued so far, and the skunkette was having more fun with it than she would have normally allowed. Megas was a city she could get drunk on, drinking it in like a smooth chardonnay during the day or a pleasant cabernet in the evening. She loved how the men took notice of her, making her room at the tables where she proceeded to fill her purse with their money, allowing themselves to be distracted by her. She loved the opulence when it wasn't garish and pretentuous; as it often was since Megas catered to everyone. She loved the undercurrent of energy she felt running through this city, where the desperate and the astute gathered under the same roof to try their luck or take in a show or score in bed. Megas was a place where money was exchanged for desire, and having an abundance of both, Sylvannah respected that.
Presently, she felt someone come up behind her from out of the technology convention. He'd been standing there for some time as a part of the crowd, but now that he was practically right next to her, the skunk could feel his eyes on her. Normally she'd bask in his gaze, but it wasn't particularly admiring. He seemed much too serious in his demeanor to be flattered by her figure. Feeling his presence start to rub her fur the wrong way, she turned to leave, only for the gentleman to block her, imposing himself in her path. He was a rabbit, a lop-eared male with pristine white fur marred only by occasional tannish-brown spots like the prominent one over his left eye. He was dressed smartly in a plain suit and tie, just another gentleman there to try his luck...He didn't stand out at all. She was a bit surprised then, when he reached into the open collar of his jacket and withdrew a RUIC badge, just enough for her alone to see it.
"I'd like to have a word with you, Miss 'Hammer'.", he said, after clearing his throat.
Sylvannah gave him a look-over and frowned, but he seemed sincere. He had the typical no-nonsense air of a person of authority, but his body-language and approach to her had been casual. She supposed he really had wanted to chat then, but probably not about how good she looked in this dress.
"I was just heading to the sandwich shop in the street below, if you'd like to accompany me.", she said, brushing past him.
The man offered no complaints, and followed at her heels closely. This was a good sign if he was willing to meet with her on her own terms, and Sylvannah felt herself becoming increasingly more relaxed as they rode the elevator down to street level and finally left the hotel. The air blowing off the plains was a little too warm to be exactly pleasant, but it was fresh, and energized her.
Inside the restaurant, the two sat across from each other. The rabbit had ordered naught but tea, though that didn't stop the skunk from having a proper lunch like she intended. The rabbit wasted no time in getting down to business.
"My name is Clarence and I work with the Royal Ultiman Intelligence Commission. That's all you need to know about me, Giovanni. We, however, know a great deal about you and your family."
"We do make good wines and olive oils."
"I think you know what I am referring to, Sylvannah. You have worked for both the RPD and the RIN. We are aware of what the CMF has you doing here, but your team is full of individuals with somewhat checkered histories, and RUIC doesn't think you can be trusted."
Sylvannah gazed up at him from over her sandwich for a while before drinking some of her tea and addressing him.
"You've done your homework. Good for you. Now why are you sitting here and telling me this?"
"We want you to know that we've got eyes in this casino watching your team's every move, Giovanni. The stakes are high in this game. We don't know for sure exactly what Esterman has in his possession, but we do know that multiple interests want it very badly."
"Do you know what exactly I've done for the RPD and RIN?"
Clarence seemed somewhat taken aback by the sudden broach in topic.
"We know you murdered someone."
Sylvannah smirks. {Several someones..} "The government official from Kanis? I took his sword." She sips her tea, her eyes sparkling at the rabbit from over the lip of her glass. "I've run weapons and money mostly. The point is that neither myself nor my family work for any of those groups. We work for ourselves, though sometimes we will do favors for them."
"Why?"
"To keep them under control." Sylvannah levels Clarence with a serious gaze. "My family holds enough sway in Itali that we can and indeed have influenced both of these groups before. We've stopped both groups from doing things that would destabilize the entire region. We have even stopped them from causing harm to international regions such as your fair Ultima. I doubt you can say the same for your boys; more often than not, RUIC only shows up after the fact."
The rabbit flushed and Sylvannah hid a grin. She'd struck a nerve there.
"I'll have you know that our intelligence network rivals the CMF's. I will concede that no system is perfect, but that's beside the point here. I'm telling you that we have our own agents here in Megas to keep you in line. Should your team screw up, we are ready to step in at a moment's notice." It was a threat. What he was really saying was: "If you do anything suspect, our men will take you down."
Syl narrowed her eyes at him and wiped her lips with a napkin.
"I don't know how many thugs you tortured to find out this information about me; I'm fairly certain that not even the CMF does. I do know that you're operating outside of your jurdistiction here, and any action on your part would be very risky indeed."
"The CMF does not know that we're here. We offered to collaborate, but they told us it wasn't necessary."
{I wonder how many other groups are here, clandestinely vying for Esterman's weapon schematics?} Syl shakes her head. "You're being serious with me, so I'll be serious with you. We don't have much control over what happens outside of Itali, but if you want us to continue safeguarding Utimician interests from what groups we can influence, I suggest you stay out of my family's affairs."
Sylvannah stood up and threw down her napkin, leaving the rabbit sipping his tea as she stormed out of the building. "I will see you again, Sylvannah."