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Black Pearl	The Chateau of Resplendant Delights is a newly-opened establishment knwon to be operated by a Water-Aspect rumored to be a Dynast. Certainly, the place is very well-appointed in its furnishings, and the smells of good food and the sounds of music and song are delightful at tne entrance. For those who can afford it, almost anything can be had here. All the staff are pleasing to the eye, and Black Pearl herself watches from a table above to make sure that things do not get out of hand. The Water-aspect has strong markings, her skin ebony, her hair white, eyes a deep jade green, all with an pearlescent tinge to it. Despite, or because, of that, her features are strikingly, almost unnaturally beautiful.
Fudou the Mountain	The establishment has undoubtedly drawn great attention and a certain caliber of clientele that seeks to discover what delights truly lie within. Even in a city that can be as colorful and active as Great Forks, the grand opening of such a place, especially considering its owner, can create abit of a stir and get the rumor mill going and the gossipers a gossiping. It can also have the side effect of less then ideal clientele deciding to take a look for themselves.. One such individual approaches now. The very impact of his wrapped feet upon the earth causes a faint rumble that rattles loose pebbles and dislodges dirt and dust. When he rounds a corner and steps into the area just infront of the entrance of the Chateau it's quite easy to see why his approach causes such a commotion. Huge. Built like herd of yoked yeddim. Slabs of muscle that have more in common with landmasses then a mere mortal's physique. A giant's height that lets him peer above first story windows. Fudou the Mountain has arrived and his inexorable approach causes any crowds to part around him like sheep scrambling out of the way of a wandering elephant. His gaze is hidden behind his silver spectacles but a slow growing grin is on his features as he nears the entrance and then pauses before attempting to simply plow through. Instead he rubs his massive jaw, inspecting the place with curiosity. Alas he's also dressed like some sort of street vagabond so it hardly looks like he has riches to spend.
Black Pearl	On seeing the monstrous mountain of flesh, the attendant whispers to one of the lesser staff who disappears into the building. And a couple of moments later, Black Pearl herself comes to the entryway to look him over. Silk shimmers like water flowing over her body, and her eyes narrow slightly as she sees the man, and the tattoos. She gives a faint smile and then walks out to the street. "Greetings," she says in flawless Riverspeak. "I have not seen anyone of your grand stature here before."
Fudou the Mountain	The behemoth of a man takes a few long deliberate seconds to look over the place..even as Black Pearl herself approaches. If he shows disinterest in her..he's feigning it as her own striking appearance is not one that can be simply glanced over much as his prodigious presence draws and captivates onlookers in its own way. So his eyes flicker over her before looking away again and then finally he turns, swiveling his massive body around like some sort of construct. The very movement of his sinew against his bones so heavy and massive that one can almost imagine hearing it take place. "Greetings!" Fudou rumbles, bassy profound voice vibrating outward with palpable weight. His own command of the language is strong but there is the faint hint of some sort of odd accent. "I heard of a place that offers splendid delights! Is this it?"
Black Pearl	"This is indeed the Chateau of Resplendant Delights. Much can be found here to sate any hunger. Generally for a price. She looks him over, "However, there are more currencies than simple scrip, silver, or jade. Sometimes services and favors can be very valuable." She smiles, "You look like one who commands great strength. What is your name?" The tattoos are intriguing, and worth taking a chance on.
Fudou the Mountain	"Aaaah..I like the sound of that." muses Fudou, with a low rumble deep from his chest. "Someone who sees beyond simple hard coinage and pieces of stone and metal.." He snaps his finger at that, his big grin returning.. teeth full and looking capable of grinding bones. "I have many names. I've even earned a few new ones in the local arena...but you may refer to me as Fudou. It was the name I was given in Volivat and I still like it." He flexes an arm, a bicep bulking up larger and larger as if about to give the impression of the girth of a Guild Wagon more then anything else. His other hand reaches up and then slaps it, producing loud audible *THWACKS* that sound like someone swinging a paddle to slam into the side of a massive slab of cut oxen meat. "I am indeed strong. Perhaps stronger then you can imagine. So..what value is strength in your establishment?"
Black Pearl	"Strength itself is valued, but loyalty even more so," Black Pearl says. "As an arena warrior, well...if you still fight, perhaps I coudl sponsor you, and have your success reflect here. If not, well, you surely would be far beyond a simple Enforcer, or even a squad of them. Would you care to come and dine with me? We could discuss what you desire, and what I wish." She smiles, brilliantly.
Fudou the Mountain	"Loyalty can be quite costly and precious. Much more so then simply lending strength now and again." considers Fudou, "Perhaps it's not something you can purchase but something you earn." Still, he doesn't seem put off by the statement nor the invitation to dine and he gestures for her to lead the way in. "Very well! Onward then!"
Black Pearl	Black Pearl walks back in, leading the way to one of the more private rooms. Normally large enough for a dozen at least, the room is not uncomfortably small. Cushioned couches to recline on, a low table that has some foods on it already--cool fruit, meat and cheese, with a dark red wine--and she moves to rest on one of the couches. "All right, and here we are, Fudou. Please, join me, and I would enjoy learning more about you."
Fudou the Mountain	The giant surveys the place as he's led through it and once they've arrived at the chosen room he arcs both eyebrows in a look of mild surprise. "You've made quite the place for yourself here. You must be...rather established and well off to obtain this establishment in seemingly so short a time. Or perhaps this was just under the residents noses all along until you were ready to throw open the doors.." Despite his appearence, he doesn't seem put off or uncomfortable with the opulence and indeed claims a large set of cushions for himself. "Oooh..I don't know that I'm all that interesting.."
Black Pearl	"It is amazing what can be done with proper resources and...motivation," Black pearl says, with a smile. "As for you, perhaps you are interesting, perhaps not. But until I know, I cannot tell, can I? And I definitely want to know about those with whom I deal." She reaches and takes fruit and cheese both, before starting to eat.
Fudou the Mountain	"Hah. Very well." concedes Fudou who reaches over and plucks up an entire melon. He tosses it up and down before letting it land on a single finger, beginning to deftly spin it like a sports ball. A final flick of it sends it up to be then caught into a waiting palm. "Ask away! Mindful of your questions that you don't give to much of yourself away in the process though, mm?"
Black Pearl	"Is that not the way of things? The questions asked give their own answers, even if hidden. For now, though, I am curious about your career in the arena? WHat did you do? Why? What have you given it up for?" Black Pearl leans back and rests, almost boneless and fluid in her posture.
Fudou the Mountain	"Perhaps I was a little misleading there. The arena is merely a bit of a distraction. I'm not part of a particular stable if that's what you're wondering. I can't be bothered to be so tied down. When I came to Great FOrks..I found it an opportunity to test myself and to also see what the locals had to offer. So I've been able to be more of a...ah..participant in freelance scuffles or duels or entertainment for those who like such things." explains Fudou as he eyes the melon and looks it over thoughtfully. "I have some familiarity with such things though. There was a time I spent as a member of the Champion Gladiators of the Hundred Kingdoms but that may be a tale for another time. This is just..recreation.."
Black Pearl	"Fair enough," Black Pearl says, and ponders, "So what is it that you do now? What dreams do you have of fulfilling? What ambition? What would you shape the future to see?"
Fudou the Mountain	The question seems to catch Fudou off guard and the giant pauses for a second as if reflecting..but then he looks at Black Pearl and that grin returns as he leans back into the cushions. "Strange.. That is a very probing question. Do you always ask people you have met twenty minutes ago what their life dreams and future goals are? What if I were to say, 'Be the strongest man alive' or 'Create a dynasty?" or 'Destroy the Realm' or all of the above?"
Black Pearl	"Knowing what drives a man--or god--is a very good way to get to know them. As for what you say, well...I would remember it, and see how you acted in accordance with those dreams. And best to know that sort of thing first." She chuckles slightly. "And yes...if someone is worth meeting, speaking to at all, it is certainly a question I would ask...even if I get a wonderful mix of evasions and deflections back."
Fudou the Mountain	"It's a very probing question." responds Fudou, leaning forward slighty to rest an arm on a propped knee, "After all..you can glean much from learning that. Not just having something to base what actions a person is taking on..but to be able to guess at what sort of actions they might potentially take. At anyrate.. One should be careful of what secrets they try and discern upfront..." He lets that linger for a moment, looking thoughtful and then he finally says, "I prefer to think in terms of 'the now' as opposed to down the road. Down the road is far away..and I might change roads when on the journey if I find something more interesting over that way as opposed to at the end of my current path."
Black Pearl	"Indeed it is, and if you find it rude, that was not my intention. Still...perhaps we should switch things to a more...short term. What sorts of things are you doing now? What are you looking to do? And what might you do to have access here?"
Fudou the Mountain	"You did not offend I was just a little surprised at you being so direct. But allow me to switch things and questions again then." rumbles Fudou, "What sort of things does having access here provide..and based upon that I can tell you what I am willing and not willing to do?" He finally takes a deliberate chomp at the melon and then his eyes squint a touch behind his glasses, a sign of approval at its sweetness. A few seconds following that he continues, "I can hardly tell you what I am interested in if I don't understand what you have to gain my interest. What brings a Dragonblood of your resources here to Great Forks and what are you offering it?" Fudou then inclines his head, pausing, and then grins once more, "Are you a Dynast?"
Black Pearl	"I am in...an unofficial exile," Black Pearl says. "Too valuable not to use, too problematic to stay near the Isle. So I look for various supplies and ensure that they are traded to my House. The more I do for them, the more a loyal House would reward and back me. As for what is here: food, comfort, bathing, access to drugs. Slaves for pleasure. A fairly common thing. Simply...I wish for high quality.
Fudou the Mountain	"Mmm..." Fudou muses over this information thoughtfully before continuing, curious sounding now, "Anathema prowl here and demons commit murders in the streets. Does this trouble your or potentially offer you additional avenues of influence? Great Forks has no Hunt and perhaps they do not bow to the Isle either. You speak of loyalty. Just how loyal are you to your own?"
Black Pearl	"I have not had Anathema strike against me. I have heard tales of them, of course, from the Immaculates. I have also heard many tales that turned out to be self-serving lies. Were one to help me, I would be honor-bound to help in return. As for loyalty?" Black Pearl smiles, "To my family, utterly. To those who serve me, I protect to the best of my ability. For if I did not how could anyone trust me enough to serve again?"
Fudou the Mountain	"Flexible regarding your religion and yet loyal to your family unto death? Hmm..an interesting state of affairs.." considers Fudou thoughtfully before finally gesturing with both hands, half eaten melon included as he sits, cross legged, and looks Black Pearl over. "Drugs, food and pleasure at my whim although I'm not entirely fond of slaves I can do nothing about that right now, mm? So then..for such hedonistic offerings at my will and whim..what would I have to do for you that equates, fairly, to such things?"
Black Pearl	"I could use a protector from time to time. At the Chateau if nothing else, but sometimes going to guard shipments, either coming to me, or taking possession to send back to my family in the Realm." Black Pearl crosses her legs and smiles back, enjoying the attention certainly. "This wold certainly grant access at an entry level. See if things work out between us. If so, we could...renegotiate for more services and access."4
Fudou the Mountain	"Aaaah..so I have to prove myself. Fair enough! You hardly know if I'm as capable as I appear and you've a reputation that is already spreading so I'm the one that has to show up and show out." admits Fudou. "I will accept entry level for now. As I see it..if you make your tasks worthy of the levels and said levels are all that you imply that they are.. then your time is not wasted and neither is mine!" He smiles at that and finishes the melon with a large bite.
Black Pearl	"We both have to prove ourselves to each other," Black Pearl says. "For now though, a good meal and a bath, if you wish, are my token of good faith. And then we shall see. I do not expect trouble, yet, but there might be some jealousy building among those who have controlling interests in my competitors. And as for time, it is a terrible thing to waste. I hope that you will enjoy working with me.