Knock Knock

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Opportunity
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:21 am

Knock Knock

Post by Opportunity »

She had just finished a conversation with one of her generals regarding some “visiting” plans when there was a knock on her door. Looking up to see who it was she heard, “You asked to speak to me?”

The general bowed and left as she waved the man at the door in. This figure was an interesting man, simple with plain good looks. There wasn’t a single feature that made him stand out which was perfect. Easily forgettable in questioning but his actions were rarely forgotten. She met him on one of her trips abroad after watching him work.

At first she planned on ...well, that didn’t matter...things changed. Instead, she was intrigued and watched his actions. He proved to be quite talented in many respects. Satisfied with what she saw, she found her ways to bring him in to her. Once they were engaged in conversation, she was able to draw out information enough to know he was just the sort wanted for several things. She managed to convince him to return to the lands she came from.

She took him to the house, where he has utilized one of the guest rooms. She left him to his own work, allowing him to get to know the lands and make his way around as he saw fit. As she looked up at him, she was sure he was the best fit for this project. It may even become a permanent position, depending on the results.

“Yes, I did ask to see you. Wasn’t expecting you so soon.”

“You have offered me a place to stay without question and asking for nothing in return. It’s the least I can do.”

A slight smirk crossed her face listening to the niceties, especially knowing how deceiving they were. “Good. Good. I have a question. Depending on the answer, there could be more.”

His brow raised with curiosity, “Ok?”

“How are your bar-tending skills?”

His laugh resonated in the office, “I have some experience but I’m not a professional. Though, I can make the most popular ones and am a quick study.”

Her lips pursed in thought, “We can make that work,” she said after a few minutes of silence and mental run through.

“How would you like to do that?”

He looked at her completely confused, and as he started to open his mouth, she interrupted with, “Let me explain.”
Opportunity
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:21 am

Re: Knock Knock

Post by Opportunity »

The plan explained fully, he left to prepare for his new role. He was practicing with the name they chose, since he never really used a name before. Each time he heard himself say it, he laughed, but he also liked the idea of only using a single word for his name. It could be a first name, surname, but it left people thinking. It was also kinda nice actually having a name.

It was her turn to have some fun now. She had been in to visit friends here before and had seen Koach around. There was nothing special about him that she could see. This time, she hung around and watched, mentally taking notes of who came and went, who they talked to and the general overall happenings of the bar.

Not wanting the same faces to be seen in the bar lounging around, several were sent in to do the recon to keep the appearance casual. Never the same face twice. A few females were caught trying to flirt with the bartender or a couple customers while they were on the job, keeping things mixed up and natural.
Opportunity
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:21 am

Re: Knock Knock

Post by Opportunity »

Walking slowly past several citizens, he wandered around looking for a good place to get a job. He needed gold so he could find himself a place to live, food to eat...the little things that get a person through in life. Seeing the sign for drinks, he went inside and had a seat at the bar. “What will you have,” the bartender asked.

Reaching into his pockets, he pulled out some lint and sighed, “How much for some water?”

With a shake of his head, the bartender got a glass of water and put it in front of him, “on the house. Want to talk about it?” His arms resting on the bar, he leaned in to listen to the man before him.

After taking several long sips of the water, he put it down and looked up. “Sure...just not sure where to begin.”

“Let’s start with your name. Mine is Koach.”

He leaned back with a slight chuckle, “Yes, sorry about that. My name is Zipolski. Some call me Zippy but….I’m not too fond of it.”

Koach nodded, “Alright...Zi...Ski. Nice to meet you. Now tell me what happened to you. Why are you wandering around here broke?”

Zippy sighed and continued, “I was looking for a place to start over since my ship landed. I worked on ships most of my life but figured it was time to settle down since I had saved a good bit through the years. Everything I owned was in my bags. While walking down the road, I was attacked by three….things….I’d never seen before. They got my bags and...now I have nothing. I’m hoping to find something soon so I can get a place to stay and something to eat. The little things, you know?”

Without a word, Koach pushed off the bar and went to the end, serving a couple of customers that came in while he was listening to Ski. Upon his return he asked, “How are you at cooking or tending bar?”

He shrugged while he took another sip of water, “I did cook on the ship and tended bar once or twice at a friend’s bar before it burned down. If you were wondering, I didn’t set the fire. I was on ship when it went up. None of the customers came up with a drink that I couldn’t make, at least for that bar and set of customers.”

Koach pondered on the thought a bit while getting another glass of water for the man. “I suppose I could use some help here if you would be interested. I’ve been thinking about it for a while but haven’t gotten to it yet. Would help me out.”

Without thinking, Zippy sat up on his stool, “Are you serious? That would be great.”

“Of course, I won’t pay you as much as you’d think. Most of your wage will come from whatever tips you manage, but it will offer you two meals a day and a cot. If you are good with that, welcome.”

For the first time in what seemed like days, he smiled, “Thank you. I’ll take it.” He finished up his second glass of water and followed Koach to the back where he showed him around and where he could sleep. Once the tour was over, he sat down and had his first real meal in days.
Opportunity
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:21 am

Re: Knock Knock

Post by Opportunity »

The days passed quickly as Zipolski showed Koach what he knew as a bartender and server. The cook did all the hard work making the meals, he just took the orders and put them on a table. His favorite part was talking to the customers at the bar and listening to their troubles. Sometimes he was able to hear a few things that made life a bit easier for him. He heard there was a house going up for sale in a few months. If he was lucky, he may be able to get the house. He didn’t mind hanging out above the bar near the casino, but it could get loud at times. A free room wasn’t to be scoffed at. It gave him the opportunity to save his wages for the possibility of getting another place of his own. Right now, he was working on getting some clothes. There were some left by the previous bartender, and Koach had a few things once he went through his closet that fit Zipolski well enough. He wasn’t the best dressed bartender around right now, but he had clean clothes on and that was more important than looks at the moment.

While learning about the city, the different people that came in and out of the bar, along with many other details a new person would like to know, he was able to get closer to Koach. They hung out after work a few times, having a drink somewhere outside of their own bar, getting dinner, even hunting or fishing. It had been a long time since he hunted or fished for pleasure. Getting to do so with someone as nice as Koach made it even better for him.
There were little things he was picking up about Koach that made him wonder about the man. He knew how to do some things the average, everyday person wouldn’t necessarily know. There was more to Koach then he let on. Zipolski would know from personal experience on that.

Days turned to weeks as Zipolski worked in the bar, saved up for his dreams, got used to the city, learned his way and became more determined to learn more about the man.
Opportunity
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:21 am

Re: Knock Knock

Post by Opportunity »

News came to the office of how things were going. What was happening couldn’t be known by others, so she wasn’t seen in the area any more often than what she normally would. Rarely.

Spies, however, were aplenty and keeping her in the loop for every little detail. The times that certain customers came and went, conversations had by Koach and others within the bar, what special activities they did and if there were any patterns to these activities. Every detail was kept so she could find the right time to move forward. This last report told her that things were getting close.

Realizing this, she knew it was time to get the next part moving. She picked up her quill, dipped it in the inkpot and penned two messages, one for the Master of Assassin’s Blackfox, the other was for someone with a special talent after the contract was complete.
Opportunity
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:21 am

Re: Knock Knock

Post by Opportunity »

She knew there was a specific person she wanted for this job from the Assassin’s. She’d seen him work before, knew of his previous strange activities that were accomplished very differently than most would do them. That was what she needed now.

New ink was brought to the desk to keep the anonymity going. Carefully the quill was dipped in the ink before putting it to the parchment.

Master of Assassins,

It has been heard there is one in your midst by the name of Aoshii. His name has been heard by those in my circles. His actions, though not known by many, have been seen and are known by those that need to know.

We have a contract that needs to be fulfilled. The details will be given to Aoshii upon his agreement to take it. Once there is word that of his acceptance, just place it on your board. We will be watching and will contact him directly.

Let us know the response as soon as possible.

Putting the quill down, it was looked over thrice. With satisfaction to its contents and testing that it was dry, the parchment was rolled and a nondescript dagger was grabbed to pin up the contract notice.

A hooded figure took a step into the driving snow. The dagger was hidden with the scroll. Each footprint made was left but for a moment, disappearing under the cover of storm and night. Reaching the destination, ensuring nobody was about, the dagger was placed through the top of the parchment on the Assassin boards to keep it in place despite the weather. As swift as the wind blew, the messenger was gone.
ShadowofNight
Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2015 4:49 am

Re: Knock Knock

Post by ShadowofNight »

The novice left the Assassin’s guild and went off in search of Aoshii. It was uncertain where this wild one may be found. He was seeking him out in every location he could think of without success. While in Frostfall he stopped by the Theatre to check there. The slaves were willing to accommodate him while he waited. Of course, he had to refuse because his guildmaster gave him an order to find Aoshii and inform him of the request for his services.

His search took him all over, but how could you find someone that was a shadow more times than not? His haunts were known by the guild, in case certain things like this should happen. While wandering through Devardec the messenger was grabbed and pulled away, taken into hiding. A growl was what he was met with, “What do you want?”

A bit shaken, the messenger told him, “I was sent by the guildmaster to let you know about a contract. They personally requested you.”

Aoshii’s eyes were back to what he was looking at previously while shaking his head, “I already know. It’s what I’m doing here. I have been watching my target for days, waiting for the right moment to present itself.”

The messenger nodded, though it wasn’t seen, then responded, “Very well. Keep it up.”

Without turning around, Aoshii knew the messenger left by the shadows to return to the guild. He continued his watch, putting his hand on his bound pages for notes he would take later.
Opportunity
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:21 am

Re: Knock Knock

Post by Opportunity »


Time has passed.

Far too much time.

The mission is incomplete.

Opportunity knocked and was not answered.

Moving to the next lucky person.

Who will gain my favor?
Opportunity
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:21 am

Re: Knock Knock

Post by Opportunity »


Sitting in the shadows Opportunity is watching.

People rush around this area as they move about. Bustling around the city, going from vendor to vendor to accomplish their daily lives.

Little do they know - they are being watched.

Who will be the lucky one?

There!

A glimpse is barely seen. The movement quick. Only seen by another shadow….barely.

That is the one.

A message is sent off to get things rolling.

Opportunity is knocking once more.
Opportunity
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:21 am

Re: Knock Knock

Post by Opportunity »



Silent.

Unseen.

The message is left on the desk.

Leaving the same way.

Things are now in the hands of others.

The chance has been given.

Opportunity.

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