Zana, in Theo's experience, was a temperamental and potentially volatile creature, not unlike a vain house cat that could turn in an instant from loving lap companion to a hissing, spitting, spiteful and clawed ball of fury, simply for having it's tail inadvertently stepped on. Or for no apparent reason at all. Immortals have mercy on the man, or woman who ran afoul of that temper without knowing what the daughter of Delroth was capable of. As for him, his instincts were good and he was observant, and moreover the nature of their relationship, meant that he was somewhat more capable of reading the signals than most others. He saw the flash of irritation in her eyes, and smiled as he joined her.
And then she was the purring cat again, curled around him and deceptively submissive. She was anything but, except in instances where it served them both well. In part it was the reason they worked so well together. The half Biqaj wrapped an arm round the small of her waist, and nestled his cheek near her ear. "Stay," he said when she asked, should she stay or make herself scarce. It wasn't much more than a whisper, but designed that way so that their feathered visitor would seem to have overheard accidentally, and just the one word was laced with innuendo. That too was by design, and did little to imply to those not in the know, that she was as much partner as employee. She'd know him well enough though, to realize that he'd like to hear what she had so say on the topic.
Taxation, business, death...Theo was no stranger to double meanings, and not foolish enough to think that what the man was engaging in, was limited to the simple sale of weaponry. Or that the levies he mentioned were limited to monetary concerns. As for whether or not the suggested arrangement might be less restrictive and as a result, less risky, Theo shrugged. "Perhaps, for yourself. But for your would be partners?" Not so much risk management, as spreading it around, he'd seemed to imply as he paused thoughtfully and re-lit the cigarillo which had gone out while they'd spoken.
As for confidentiality, Theo tilted his chin and smiled. "You're preaching to the choir," he said. "Take a good look around you." He might have meant, look at the room, the expensive furnishings, the architecture. But there was the clientele. "Even if Illaren's city of openness, love and free flowing wine, discretion is in some cases prized above all." Meaning, when it came to those in power or those in the process of seeking it...himself included, nobody liked a scandal. "But as it is for most things of value, discretion comes at a cost." And in some cases, this one in particular, the cost was not a pittance. It remained a question of risk versus reward, after all, and the real value of services rendered.
And then she was the purring cat again, curled around him and deceptively submissive. She was anything but, except in instances where it served them both well. In part it was the reason they worked so well together. The half Biqaj wrapped an arm round the small of her waist, and nestled his cheek near her ear. "Stay," he said when she asked, should she stay or make herself scarce. It wasn't much more than a whisper, but designed that way so that their feathered visitor would seem to have overheard accidentally, and just the one word was laced with innuendo. That too was by design, and did little to imply to those not in the know, that she was as much partner as employee. She'd know him well enough though, to realize that he'd like to hear what she had so say on the topic.
Taxation, business, death...Theo was no stranger to double meanings, and not foolish enough to think that what the man was engaging in, was limited to the simple sale of weaponry. Or that the levies he mentioned were limited to monetary concerns. As for whether or not the suggested arrangement might be less restrictive and as a result, less risky, Theo shrugged. "Perhaps, for yourself. But for your would be partners?" Not so much risk management, as spreading it around, he'd seemed to imply as he paused thoughtfully and re-lit the cigarillo which had gone out while they'd spoken.
As for confidentiality, Theo tilted his chin and smiled. "You're preaching to the choir," he said. "Take a good look around you." He might have meant, look at the room, the expensive furnishings, the architecture. But there was the clientele. "Even if Illaren's city of openness, love and free flowing wine, discretion is in some cases prized above all." Meaning, when it came to those in power or those in the process of seeking it...himself included, nobody liked a scandal. "But as it is for most things of value, discretion comes at a cost." And in some cases, this one in particular, the cost was not a pittance. It remained a question of risk versus reward, after all, and the real value of services rendered.
Off Topic
my sincere apologies for the delay
