(2021-12-20) Information Control

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Lena goes to consult with Thaldor.
Rating:	T for Teen

Thaldor eyes Lena up and down.
Lena waves tentatively at the dwarf.
Lena: Would you happen to be Mr. Foxglove?
Thaldor: Well, ye look a lass in need o' some assistance, eh? Aye, tha's righ'.
Lena smiles at Mr. Foxglove brightly and says, "Yes, I was looking for you. I wasn't sure how to make an appointment? I could do that and come back later, if now's not a good time."
Thaldor: Seen ye cavortin' 'round th' Cobalts, have we not? Always a pleasure — I've a few spare moments. Step inside, aye?
Thaldor leans up against the corner and snags one of the bottles, offering it to Lena first.
Lena nods. "I'm with Cobalt Company. I've heard around there that -you're- the person to come to for information… information gathering and, well, control." Lena accepts the bottle from him with one hand.
Lena has a basket in her other hand, which she then holds out to Thaldor. "I also heard you were fond of cookies, so, well… I didn't know what kind, but I made chocolate chip."
Thaldor glances from the basket to the gifter and back again with just the slightest eyebrow raise. "Tha's uncommon courteous for th' Cavern. Much obliged. So, are we in a sticky situation, then?"
Lena grimaces "A bit. I've been assured that the Company would help, but then… mercenaries have a certain toolkit for solving problems, don't they? And it's not always the best one."
Thaldor gives a wry chuckle. "Aye, tha's no' far wrong. Be needin' somethin' no' just solved wi' a blade or a bullet? Let's have yer specifics." He takes a swig from his own flask.
Lena takes a drink from the bottle, a brief flicker of surprise passing over her face. She sets down the basket of cookies between them, and leans against the wall herself.
Lena: It's a matter of… information control, you could say. *Lena looks down at the bottle as she continues* There might be a person who's looking for me. He may come to you. I'd like to not be found.
Thaldor: Proactive, then. *He nods approvingly* Wiser head on ye than others, I see.
Thaldor: Wha' can ye tell me 'bout these pryin' eyes?
Lena: Well… he's a warlock, like me. Human. Well-connected with the Stormwind community. Likely not thought to look for me here, yet, but will eventually.
Lena: Might claim I stole from him, *Lena adds casually* though it was only as much as he deserved.
Thaldor: Well, tha's no' impossible ta prepare for. I've a fair background dealin' wi' tha' type on occasion. An' I'll no' say nay ta a fair bit o' larceny when circumstances demand.
Thaldor: But sounds like ye'll be needin' a safehouse at minimum. An' maybe cause ta be outside th' city when needed.
Thaldor pulls out a folded piece of parchment bearing a hand-drawn map of Ironforge.
Lena: That would… be helpful. Right now I've just been staying at Cobalt HQ. *Lena looks a little embarrassed.* I could've started looking around for places, but I thought… probably best not to throw my name all around town.
Thaldor: Well, ye be makin' most o' th' right choices ta start wi', I'll give ye tha'. Migh' be helpful ta ha' someone on hand fer ye as well. Lad like tha' comes callin', an' ye'll want backup he's no' expectin' if ye can manage.
Thaldor: He a high-ranker in th' Stormwind warlock club by chance?
Lena considers. "He's well known, I'd say. Kind of standoffish, lives outside the city. Do you need his name, or does that not matter?"
Thaldor rakes a hand through his hair. "Names make it easier, an' well-known gives me ease on what ta expect from th' blighter."
Lena nods. "Alright, then. Kade Morrow." She glances to either side, nervously, as if expecting him to pop out of the shadows.
Thaldor gives a short nod. "Aye, I've heard o' tha' one. Gives us a mild lead, at th' least. Now, before we start partic'lars, what sort o' budget are ye dealin' wi' here?"
Lena shifts uncomfortably. "I am not particularly wealthy, right now. But… if you need a warlock for anything. If I could trade services…"
Thaldor grins wolfishly. "Aye, we could arrange fer somewha' on tha' type o' thing. Got a lass o' mine wha' could use some backup o' th' type. How do ye feel 'bout stayin' near th' Explorer's League? She'll make fer a quiet roommate."
Lena breathes a quiet sigh of relief. "Yes, that sounds wonderful. Not too far from Cobalt… I…" Lena pauses. "I should mention I can't do anything that would get me fired from Cobalt."
Thaldor chuckles. "Oh, aye. Tha' Code o' yer lot — nay, we can sashay 'round th' edges there, no fear. Nothin' Miz Sparkwire or even tha' Aspenwood lad would object."
Lena nods at him gratefully. "Thank you. It's just sort of the one thing I've got going for me right now."
Lena: So, roommate, you said? Is it somebody I might've run into around town?
Thaldor gives a snort of a laugh. "Unlikely."
Thaldor: My lass Kenna will be in touch wi' ye, then. Correspondence ta start; she's keepin' a bit o' a berth from th' Company direct.
Lena raises an eyebrow at that. "Is this someone I oughtn't mention to other Cobalt folk, then?"
Thaldor: Depends if ye want ta be settin' any o' yer friends back on thier heels. Tha' Miz Barlowe would like ta spit ingots if ye mention Kenna nearby.
Thaldor: Th' rest o' them ha' been content ta keep their space otherwise, no fuss.
Lena 's face pales a little bit. "Got it. I think I'm just barely on good terms with her now, and her an assassin. Thanks for the warning."
Thaldor: How's yer taste fer a jungle expedition, by th' by?
Lena: Can't say I ever visited the jungle, but I think I'd be fine.
Thaldor: Kenna's ta be made aware she's yer backup too, as much as ye'll be hers. Give an' take will be good fer th' lass.
Lena nods. "She can count on me. And my demons."
Thaldor 's grin goes even more fierce. "Well, yer in th' Forlorn. We all are havin' demons; jus' no' quite as literal for some. Ye should have an address by day's end at th' latest, an' if ye need more direct dealin's wi' yer Kade Morrow, we can always talk tha' side o' things too."
Lena gives Thaldor a relieved smile. "Thank you so much. I can see already I was right to come to you. And… I hope you do like the cookies."
Thaldor scoops up the basket. "Oh, they'll find a good home, no fear there. Contract'll be in th' mail; I'd get scarce an' pull up a hood on yer way back ta th' Ward, tho. No' everyone 'bout here is circumspect."
Lena: Right, I'll be back at Cobalt HQ, and I'll make sure to get the mail before anybody else does. *Pulls a kerchief out of her bag to make a quick hood*
You curtsey before Thaldor.
Thaldor nods at you.
Lena: I hope I'll see you again soon.