Business Interrupted

[Peppercorn]

Peppercorn turned to face the Lady Navarre, now waving Karrion away from the counter. He nodded at her, and sliding the knife into a holder on his hip - not back under the counter where it'd come from - he moved back into the background of the shop and set to work on the leather he'd been working moments before.

Peppercorn was now giving the woman a frustrated look. "Well, my Lady, if I knew what the problem was, I'd be more than happy to fill you in. What it looks like to me is that I come in from a good day hunting and find this gnome threatening my employee with an armed assistant to get undue money out of me while I'm away. I'd say that's pretty weedy, wouldn't you?"

Peppercorn really going for it here. But, it was worth risking her ties with Lars. She recognized that if she didn't turn this situation around, she'd be putting the shop in a sticky spot by being associated as possibly in with the Rebellion. A suspect shop. If she played her cards right, the fact that this woman had chosen her shop at all could be good for business. Make richer connections than gnomes and the like. Bump up business by bumping up the shop's name as being a loyalist shop. Sure, why not. Peppercorn obviously had no problems stamping out magic users. It'd probably give these streets a long-needed clean-up.

[Eirene]

Damn that gnome. It seems that Lars had bitten off more then he could chew this time and she was on the hook for getting him out in approximately one piece. If it came to it, Eirene had no doubt she could hold off Navarre and her lackey long enough for her employer to escape. In fact, she had to admit to herself there would be something satisfying about feeling Navarre's death rattle, as she coiled around her and crushed her to death. Peppercorn and Karrion were another matter all together ...

Either way, that was a last resort. For all the elaborate protocols and dainty words that panhumanity liked to use so they pat themselves on the back for being civilized, their interaction still came down to their primal instincts. This was all about marking turf and establishing pack order. Perhaps the methods were less blunt then a showdown in an alley, but the principle was the same and it was no less serious.

Eirene started of with causal chortle. That was always a good opening, let them know that you have stared down worse and are not concerned.

"Well this is all well and good, but it is time for me to take my leave. Miss Peppercorn here is more then welcome to give Lars the thumping he deserves on my day off, and you ... " Eirene flahsed a bestial smile at Navarre and continued "can kindly get-the-hell of my way and let my employer and I leave ... unmolested. Then you can get back to kicking over rocks, and declaring the maggots that come squirming out to be rebels."

[Navarre]

Apparently, this woman couldn't take a friendly warning. If she had simply stood aside and kept her mouth shut, she would have been sparred Navarre's wrath. But, as the gnome's bodyguard, she had felt the need to rise up to his defense, even if she seemed to believe he deserved the abuse. While her actions were commendable, she would now suffer her master's fate. Navarre would crush her like an insect.

"You and your employer are more than welcome to leave," she said with a smile. "After all, I have no authority to hold you here. Still, it would strike me as a little suspicious if your employer were to storm out without answering any questions. The people of Marn would certainly think so. But if your employer -- Mr. Lars, was it? -- wants to leave without defending himself, the door's over there."

She turned back to Peppercorn. "This is an all-too-common occurrence in Marn, I'm afraid. As my research has shown, many wealthy gnomes attempt to corner the market by beating respectable business owners like yourself into submission. This man is but a symptom of a disease that's plaguing our society." Her eyes drifted to Eirene. "But those who knowingly help spread this disease are just as accountable, wouldn't you say?"

Navarre waited to see if the gnome would take the bait. Either way, she'd won: If Eirene escorted Lars out of the shop, she would slander him for refusing to cooperate with the government; and if Lars tried to defend himself, she would warp his words and use them against him in her next publication. She needed examples of Marn's corruption in order to win over the public, and Lars would be the first of many.

[Peppercorn]

Peppercorn nodded at the Lady, feeling like this definitely was her chance to bump the shop up in pro-government stance.

"You don't need to tell me twice about the problems on these streets," she shot eyes to the woman's weapon, to Lars, back to the Lady. "In fact, I could tell you all about the problems I've had these days."

Then, Peppercorn made a gesture to Lars. "But, I would love to hear what you have to say for yourself today, Lars. And, if you care, you can tell all of us why you've brought an armed guard in to my leather-works if not to threaten my employee while I was away. Please, do fill us all in," and Peppercorn leaned against the nearest wall, waiting.

[Eirene]

Eirene couldn't care less what this infernal woman said about Lars, especially since it would likely be the truth. Eirene couldn't care what was written about herself either. If Navarre really had a problem, Eirene would be glad to take it up on the worn cobble stone streets around the old fort.

This led to a dilemma. For her lack of concern about the details, this woman bothered her in general. Eirene had faced a lot of bigotry from women like this in her life. Marn was worse then most places, but it was every where. Perhaps it was petty, but she couldn't let her go without trying to get some licks in of her own.

"Since we are asking questions here, I have one. You're writing this down, right?" She nodded at the publicist and then continued "I noticed all those posters you've so diligently hung about our great city. It seems that you left something off of them. After all, nobody is better at skulking around in shadows and weaving magical conspiracies then the Elves. You are certainly wouldn't omit such an obvious danger to justice and virtue. So there is only one possible conclusion. What are you hiding?"

Lars, who hadn't heard Eirene use so many words since hiring her, stood in shock. Recovering, he folded his arms and turned towards Navarre, waiting for her response.

[Navarre]

Navarre had to commend Eirene for attempting to turn the tables on her, but her efforts were futile. Regardless of what transpired here, her publicist would tailor the conversation to paint Eirene and Lars as the villains, conveniently leaving out any details that would implicate Navarre. After all, he was on her payroll. Still, as much as she wanted to toy with Eirene, she decided to maintain the facade for a while longer. If she wanted to rally support among business owners like Peppercorn, she couldn't afford to be too hostile. Not yet.

She feigned a smile. "Your concerns, while appreciated, are unfounded. I'll concede that elves are more magically proficient than most races, but you have no evidence to support such a bold claim. I, however, have extensive research on my side that shows elves and humans practice far less illegal magic than other races. If you wish to see it, feel free to actually read my pamphlets. Had my research shown otherwise, rest assured I would have reported it."

Research influenced by large amounts of bishani, of course, but research nonetheless.

"Do not misunderstand me: All races are capable of working against the government. One's heritage does not put one beneath suspicion." Her eyes again fell on Lars. "The point, my dear, is that some races are statistically more inclined toward subversive activity." Navarre bent down to the gnome's level like he were a child. "Miss Peppercorn raises a good point: Why, little one, would you bring an armed guard to a shop like this? If your concerns were legitimate, surely the clerk would have gladly heard them." She patted him on the head. "We grown-ups use our words to negotiate, not our fists."

The publicist laughed and jotted down some notes. Straightening herself, Navarre smoothed out her dress and looked at Peppercorn. "Tell me, does this gnome threaten you often? Don't hold anything back: I'm sure the public would love to hear all about our little bully."

[Peppercorn]

Peppercorn was just itching for this chance. She'd have to replace the accounts from Lars after this, she had no doubt. But, frankly, it'd be well worth the replacement.

She laughed at the Lady's comment. "Often? I'll say. Practically every time I have dealings with him, he's back in my shop trying to rip me off while I'm away. Isn't that true, Karrion?"

Peppercorn had to turn full round to face Karrion to hide the sly grin on her face. Karrion saw it, but he wasn't struggling to hide a smile. He was full-on sneering as he approached the counter again.

"Every time I see that gnome's face, I know what it's going to be. Illegible tripe like that," pointing at the invoice, "and accusations about how we've ripped him off or didn't write in something or overlooked some aspect of the order that still needs accounting. Today's the worst-"

Peppercorn, hearing the raising volume of Karrion's voice, cut in. He was about to lose his temper and that would look very bad for the shop. She waved him back to his work, stepping in front of him. "This is the first time you've brought armed threats, Lars. And all the worse for you, I fear. Though, I do have several other invoice 'corrections' he's tried to swindle over on me. Let's take a look, shall we Lady?"

Peppercorn was pulling papers from under the counter where she kept the book-keeping. Luckily, she ran a tight system.
Meanwhile, Karrion was in the back of the shop, moving things around, pretending to be doing work. In reality, he was pissed. Pissed at Lars, pissed that Peppercorn had just cut him off from expressing just how pissed off he was, pissed that he wasn't going to be the one in the article defending the shop. He was, after all, the one who always had to deal with the issues. Whatever, whatever - he moved some pieces of leather around, looking for a better distraction.

[Eirene]

Eirene realized that this was going downhill fast. Apparently, ol' Lars had been bullying customers more then she thought. Luckily, she knew when she couldn't win and decided that a hasty retreat was in order. Lars' face, growing redder as other two women spoke, revealed that he lacked this piece of wisdom. Not wanting to get into a loud confrontation with the people gathering outside, she tried to stop him "Lars, remember you have an appointment." Lars, lost in his own fury, didn't even hear Eirene. She shrugged "Have it your way, I'll be waiting outside." True to her word she stepped into the street, and leaned next to the doorway where she could keep an eye on the comings and goings outside the shop.

Lars stomped up to Navarre "You want to know why I need an armed guard? Fine, I'll tell you. With these rebels everywhere I have to worry about being knocked over the head and robbed by some hooligan. I supply leather to the armorers for the City Guard. It's my duty as a loyal citizen, but that won't protect me if some rebel tries to bomb my shop. If that's not bad enough, you're out there inciting a mob against hard working gnomes. Gnomes that make this city run. Power. Water. We do that ... because we are good citizens. Some of us are too busy making sure this city runs to go looking for trouble."

[Navarre]

Navarre waited as Peppercorn searched her files, her arms folded against her stomach. If this gnome indeed had a history of cheating Peppercorn, then this meeting would help her campaign more than she'd imagined. Fabricated testimonies helped gather support, but an actual story of oppression would whip the masses into a frenzy. With a face to hate, the skeptics would begin to put aside their doubts and support her cause. Once she released her next wave of propaganda, the fires of hatred would start to spread.

A voice interrupted her thoughts. Looking down, Navarre saw Lars glaring up at her, his face red as a tomato. Just as she'd hoped, the fool couldn't keep his mouth shut. Peppercorn's documents were good enough, but this was just icing on the cake. If he had any chance of saving his good name, it just flew out the window.

Her face fell. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that drivel? If you truly hired that woman to protect you from hoodlums, then you wouldn't have brought her in with you to intimidate Miss Peppercorn's assistant. Any respectable man would have dismissed her after she frightened that poor boy into drawing a weapon. You should have sent her aside and apologized to that young man. But you didn't -- you were too focused on trying to cheat Miss Peppercorn out of her hard-earned bishani. I'd be surprised if you had a single honest bishan to your name.

And personally, I find your whole story rather suspicious. You provide the city guard with armor, yet you have so little faith in them to protect you? The insurrection took my father from me, but I still trust the government to keep order in the city. Some gnomes loyally serve the government, but many like yourself use their influence to oppress the less fortunate. Not satisfied with your success, you want to corner the market by taking advantage of respectable business owners like Miss Peppercorn here. You have no decency."

Her publicist, grinning from ear-to-ear, took down as much as he could.

She looked back to Peppercorn. "Miss Peppercorn, it's a testament to your character that you've been able to tolerate this man for so long. Never did I expect to find such corruption on my first visit to a business. Rest assured, all of Marn will know of this travesty."

[Peppercorn]

Peppercorn couldn't be bothered to look up at the Lady, searching for just the right invoice. Of course it was true that many of them showed how she had "adjusted" prices on Lars. Paid less for given aspects of a shipment because she was due a discount from an overcharge last shipment. This was to be expected. It was well understood that shop-owners regularly did this sort of back and forth banter over prices. Lars would raise something, then discount it later, Peppercorn would discount certain items, then increase the charge next round. Often, there were verbal arguments over a given item in order to get secure a better deal. Sometimes, one of them stood firm. Sometimes, the other did.

In fact, it was so common that having heard Lady Navarre saying "the whole of Marn will know of this travesty" just now made Peppercorn feel a touch guilty. Was she really going to ruin Lars career, business, livelihood over a squabble they were all so used to having? The slightest glance toward the door and Peppercorn could still catch sight of the shadow of that woman Lars had brought in today.

That wasn't a squabble they were used to having, after all, now was it? Threatening Karrion with force while she was away was almost more insulting than threatening her directly. Nope, Peppercorn didn't feel the least bit bad about this. She pulled an invoice from the stack and spread it on the counter. It had clear markings where Lars had done her a particularly bad deal. She pulled two more after that one. All of them shining stars of his side of the cheatery that happened. She was banking on the fact that Lady Navarre wasn't going to be keen on going through all her records.

"Here we are. Have a look at these. Just a few examples of what I've gone through with this gnome," sliding them across to the Lady with a purposefully put-out look on her face, huffing, darting eyes to Lars, the whole deal.

[Eirene]

Lars, completely oblivious to having stepped over the line with Pepper, took a deep breath and brought his anger under control. He let the gears in his head ground, and now he understood. Obviously, Pepper had brought this woman into intimidate him. Well, that was one thing he wasn't expecting and he had to give Pepper credit for that. Recomposed, he pulled the reading glasses from his coat pocket and carefully unfolded them "Yes, let's go over this again. The numbers, they do not lie."

Meanwhile, Eirene was still waiting outside. With growing alarm she watched the band stands go up down the street, and was beginning to realize how big a rally this was going to be. She wondered how much longer she could give Lars to pump up his ego before this got out of hand.

[Peppercorn]

Peppercorn was trying very hard not to glare at Lars now, as he suddenly turned "business-like" again. As if he was still going to shove his nose in this and come out on top. He really was a stupid gnome, wasn't he? Or, perhaps, he just didn't understand what a bad situation he was in. This wasn't an honest exchange. It had no hopes of being that at all.

The tiny twinge of guilt arose again on Peppercorn. Obviously, he wasn't very used to this sort of political carousing. Should she step off a bit, not make him look so bad, give him a shot? Peppercorn practically laughed out loud and brushed the guilt aside, yet again. That was ridiculous. Clearly, Lars - as the big business owner he was and living in Marn his whole life - knew what was actually at stake here. The goddamn little gnome just thought he could still come out on top. Ever the risk-taker, this one was. Ever the liar, cheater, and carouser.

Peppercorn ran her hand down the page that was now facing Lady Navarre and not Lars. "I'll mark a few lines here, so you get a sense for what I'm talking about. Cheated, at every corner," and Peppercorn grabbed a pencil from under the counter and began marking the page.

One, two, three marks in total on that page showing clear price alterations. One mark was for a particularly bad deal she'd let slide because of a flooding in Lars factory. She had been nice, then. But there was no contract proving it, so nice went right down the street, now.

"And the next," she advised the Lady to flip the page. "We can keep doing this all day."

[Navarre]

Navarre read over the first page of the invoice, and, as Peppercorn had said, there appeared to be a few noticeable price changes. But she had to admit that, while suspicious, these changes did not necessarily indicate blackmail: Business owners often negotiated prices, and she did not know the details behind these transactions. Had there been a noticeable upward trend in the prices, their case would be stronger. She hoped to see stronger evidence on the following pages, but even if she didn't, her publicist could easily spin this to her advantage.

She turned the page and started skimming it over. As she suspected, there didn't seem to be any discernible pattern of extortion, but that didn't matter -- she had more than enough evidence to incriminate the gnome. The suspicious prices, combined with Lars' attempt to intimidate Peppercorn's assistant, would be enough to sway the peasants to her side. Racism thrived among the lower classes, so many would certainly welcome a gnomish face to hate. The observant would likely doubt her argument's strength based on the numbers, but fortunately the ignorant reactionaries greatly outnumbered them.

But would the government support her? Only time would tell. This case wasn't exactly a jaw-dropping atrocity, but she suspected her superiors would be able to make good use of it. All she needed to do was whip up some public outrage and let the sparks fly.

Clicking her tongue, she looked down at Lars. "Disgraceful. I can only imagine how you must have bullied Miss Peppercorn into making some of these deals. You're practically stealing food right off her table. And for what, a little extra bishani? I can see you have no respect for the hard-working people of Marn. I hope you have a spare box somewhere in your factory, because you'll be needing a new home soon. Although I'm sure a shoebox would do just as well for you."

[Eirene]

Lars was obviously upset by this threat. He rocked back on his heels and bit his lip, considering the threat a moment. He looked at Peppercorn, and was about to bark out an order, but then slacked his shoulders and sighed. It was clear that he felt betrayed. Lars could, he supposed, threaten to call in Pepper's line of credit if she didn't turn this woman out, after all if he went into default his own creditor's wouldn't hesitate to do so. He however, would not give this 'Lady' the satisfaction. Turning to Navarre he pulled up his shoulders "That would be a shame. A damned shame. If you don't mind, I'll be leaving now." Lars tried to look noble, he really did, but he was shaking and the cold sweat was rolling off his brow destroying the whole effect.

[Peppercorn]

As Lars walked away, that twinge of guilt became a knife of fear in Peppercorn's gut. What, exactly, had she just done? The look on Lars' face had been clear. She had certainly destroyed their working relationship. First, that meant she now had to find a new tanner to fill in where his shipments had until now. Second, that meant that Lars might - if this whole propaganda/loyalist shop bullshit fell through - defame her name and ruin the shop.

Peppercorn straightened herself, deciding that it was all in or all out, now. She aimed the look of fear at Lady Navarre now, darting eyes to where Lars was meeting back up with his armed guard.

"To be perfectly honest, Lady, I'm quite worried now. There hasn't been such open hostility from the gnome until today and now, what with you coming and all, who knows what he'll do in ways of threatening me, my employee, and this shop. I'd hate to see magic waged against my innocent mother, for example. She'd have absolutely no protection as I have to do my work to keep her fed since my father passed."