Fascination and the Fort Worth Council deal

Characters in this scene: representatives of Fascination, Fort Worth Council member(s)

Editor's note: IntrovertedIncarnate and Hare play the representatives of Fascination and the Fort Worth Council, respectively - anytime you see them speaking, that is who is being played.

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

As the bus comes to a stop three people are seen getting off from it. One is a man wearing traditional British hunting attire and carrying a rucksack almost the size of him. They're in their mid 40s and their eyes appear glassy.

The second is a young British boy, roughly 9 from appearance. They were a blue school uniform of the kind favored by private schools. They have a patch displaying a golden eye on the pocket. Their eyes are vivid and intense.

The third noteworthy individual is a man in his late 50s. They're slightly overweight and wear a stained black T-shirt with the friends(the tv show) logo on it. They also wear grey sweatpants and a grey hoodie that are both similarily bedraggled. They look vacant and follow he man in hunting gear.

Innocents who glance at them find it hard to pay attention to them. Growing impatient and bored at even momentary looks.

Hare — 03/11/2021

The air is dry with a heavy afternoon heat. The sun blazes above, unwelcoming and watching. A woman in a white sun dress walks towards them, her cowboy boots *clicking* against the concrete. Her hair is in loose red curls, her eyes hidden behind thick black sunglasses. "You weren't invited here, by myself, or any of the other council-members. The city does not welcome you. State your business."

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

"We've come to deal with the individual possibly known as the 'Hare' " The child's voice has a strong British accent and is crisp, clear and carries well. "As well as possibly negotiate with the wider council of where they reside."

Hare — 03/11/2021

"The Hare warned us of your possible arrival. He has been firm on his stance, with us, and with that which sent you here: he will not be negotiating now, and would prefer to be ignored by your master." She says, "What do you think you could offer myself, or any of the other council members, that would encourage us to negotiate with you?"

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

"I'm afraid the Hare's attitude matters very little to our Mistress. As for what we can offer you, it's broad. Money, Information, power, services."

Hare — 03/11/2021

"You have the authority to negotiate for her?"

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

"Yes. I do" The child sounds eager.

Hare — 03/11/2021

"What do you know of Fort Worth?" She asks, her head cocked to the side.

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

The man with the t-shirt has sat down on a bench and taken a phone from their pocket. They've started an episode of the sitcom "Full House", The man in the hunting attire appears restless, watching the area around them.

"Very little i'm afraid, but that can change." He seems to relish the prospect.

Hare — 03/11/2021

"So, your Mistress gave you authority to negotiate for her, without knowing the city or its practitioners?" She pulls out a chapstick from her pocket, dapping it over her lips.

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

"I'm afraid we were in a slight rush." He looks genuinely pained at that comment.

Hare — 03/11/2021

"Then, in a show of good will, I'll name myself and my intentions," she smiles, "I'm Dora Munoz, dealmaker. I am here to gather an understanding of what you *could* offer and what you would *prefer* to. For what it's worth, you and your mistress may consider me the Lord of Fort Worth." She twists on her heel, gesturing for the the arrivals to follow her, "For clarity's sake: what information are you seeking? And, for my *own* entertainment, I would enjoy hearing you guess what you'd offer me to secure that information for your mistress."

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

"It's good to see we met the right person. We want to now whether the Hare made contact with a practitioner by the name of Nathanial Vaillant and if so what happened in their meeting. As for what we could offer: " They pause for a moment.

""£50,000 in cash, negotiable;"

"Our mistresses assistance for a week;"

"The exact location of someone in the mundane world;"

"Several moderate magic items empowered by fascination."

Hare — 03/11/2021

"I would be interested in your mistresses assistance for a week," she answers, too quickly, "Of course, with stipulations," a streetlight up ahead turns red, cars stop, and she steps onto the crosswalk. "No one on the council would be interested in the cash or the third option you presented. I can think of two who would be interested in the items." She turns left, down a street of Georgian-style mansions, all white marble and red brick. "There would need to be assurances, before we considered dealing formally. You and yours would bear the cost of securing this information. I'm guessing you have little understanding of Hare's practice?"

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

"I understand you would not aid the Hare in our attempts to gain this information? and yes they do remain something of a mystery to us." There is bitterness in that conformation.

The hunter pulls up the other man who mumbles in complaint before following along.

Hare — 03/11/2021

"I will not share what their practice is, but working against them is *costly*." She stops, turning around to face all three strangers. "It will hurt you and yours, in small ways - at first. Victories will come harder won, issues will arise when there were none before. Sickness, fatigue, and malfeasance will find you more readily. They can be caught and forced to speak, but unless they speak willingly, this cost will come down on *someone's* head. If you wish to deal, then understand you and yours will be accepting this cost."

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

"That is worrying. These effects sound potent. They only effect one person?"

Hare — 03/11/2021

"I am unsure." She shrugs. "But to deal with the council members for this information, you or another must be willing to accept that cost."

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

"I am willing to." Their tone was serious.

Hare — 03/11/2021

She smiles, teeth showing. "Wonderful," she opens a gate to a large house with a green lawn, a stone path leading to the front door. An old woman sits on the porch in a rocking chair, watching the three strangers and the Dora. "Beyond that door waits the council. Hare has asked to not be included, and so they won't be. In order to begin the formal negotiations with the rest of us, you will give me your blood, your sweat, and your tears. Or an equivalency. That is how we can secure the cost comes down on your head and not ours."

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

"Understandable. Do you have appliances to extract those?"

Hare — 03/11/2021

"Of course," she says, and leads them to the door - it opens before she arrives.

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/11/2021

They enter.