[Creeping Shadows] Imply a willingness to skirt the edges of the law

She laughs. ”I am my father’s daughter, First Officer, and we are both upstanding members of Imperial society. For you to even jest about such matters...” Her smile grows wider. ”10 percent.” She smirks at you as if daring you to haggle.

You make an outrageous counter. She laughs but lowers her ask. You raise yours some, smiling as well. Her next offer comes with decimals – and with numerological meaning. You raise an eyebrow and she tells you how she and the Cerulean Titan hosted the proprietor of the House of Veils. {if A Breaker of Bones = 1} You are somewhat familiar with the dealings of their kind after working the House, and she is eager to fill the remaining gaps in your knowledge. {elseif A Deserter = 1}You are somewhat familiar with the dealings of their kind after working the House, and she is eager to fill the remaining gaps in your knowledge. {else} After all your travels, all your visits to the House aboard the Demeter, you still only know rumours about their kind and the deals they make. The Cerulean Usurer, however, is knowledgeable and eager to explain. {endif}

The conversation soon moves from her business stories to tales of your naval exploits, to jests dripping with promise. She says an insane number and then laughs it off with a bold joke. You chance sweetening your counter with an untoward proposal. She purrs as she rejects both.

”5,” she says and spits in her palm, her face suddenly serious. ”Principal and interest due on your return.”

You shake on it and she produces a brass-inlaid strongbox from inside her father’s desk. She counts each coin twice before handing them to you together with a leather purse. You take the money.

You have gained 200 Talers

You now have {@420 Talers} Talers

You are now: Indebted to the Cerulean Usurer

”I own you now,” she says, her voice strangely solemn. ”That’ll be all. But First Officer? Make sure that you return. And fast.” She licks her lips. ”So I may recoup my investment.”