Private Finished A Meeting Better Off Not Mentioned

The unassuming package had been sitting on her desk when she arrived early one morning. It had been brought by a courier. Opening it, Zora saw it was a crystal of some sort and in the box was a handwritten note with the words, "As you requested. G.".Noting the initial, she saw it was from Godfrey. Tomas's manservant. He had found the crystal. Funny what money can do, she thought grimly. It seemed everyone had a price. Finding it was the key.

Calling Marie into her office, Zora then gave her the card Altizica had given her and asked her to set up the meeting.

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Getting out of the car when it stopped a block from where she was supposed to meet Altizica, Zoraida just glanced at Broen, not sure where he'd go or what he'd do. She only knew that he'd assured her he'd be somewhere close by. She had come to learn that sometimes it was just better not to ask.

Walking the block over to the assigned meeting place, Zora mused at how odd it was having Broen as a bodyguard. He was, surprisingly discreet, good at what he did - and aside from the innuendoes, being a smartass and the unsolicited advice on her personal life choices - she was surprisingly okay with having him around. She still had her reservations about him, but so far he had not disappointed her.

Arriving at the spot, she glanced at her watch and saw she was a few minutes early. So instead of standing around, looking conspicuous, Zora decided just to wait at a coffee shop nearby, pretty sure Altizica would have the good sense to glance around and see her sitting having coffee, and waiting.

@Arcadia

Sipping an espresso while she waited, Zoraida put the cup down when she heard Altizica's voice. Seeing him so cheerful, and glad to see her, made her raise an eyebrow at this. It was somewhat unexpected after their last meeting.

"Mr. Altizica," Zora said politely as she waved to the seat in front of her, gesturing for him to have a seat. "I see you are on time," she remarked evenly as she watched him take a seat.

"And yes, I do have good news," she said as she crossed her legs and leant back in her chair as she considered the man in front of her. "As you have probably guessed, I have what my brother took from you," she said with a small smile.

@Arcadia

Zora just remained very impassive as she regarded Altizica quietly. "Here's your crystal," she said as she slid a small box across the table to him, which she had taken out of her bag before he arrived. Deliberately ignoring his question about her brother.

Hearing his offer, so easily given, made her wonder why he was so eager to repay her. Looking at him thoughtfully, she wondered if Broen had been right in his estimation of Altizica when she had mentioned where she had been going and why she was going there.

Smiling now, she sat forward, "Now that you ask..." she said slowly as she looked at Altizica coyly, "I was wondering, if perhaps, you know what's the rumour on the street about a group calling themselves, the Black Wings?" she asked very casually, quietly feeling him out to see if he was useful in any way to her cause.

"The rumour is that I took down all the members in one of their groups," she corrected him with a half smile, "Which is not wrong and did actually happen," she said glancing at Altizica, not too concerned with whether he believed her or not. The truth now was open to interpretation, and she had decided to use it to her advantage.

"Not exactly..." she said as she took a sip of her almost cold coffee, "The Black Wings are not easy to find. And it's not a problem that is so easily solved." she told him evenly. Wary now that he seemed so eager to let her know he wasn't affiliated with them.

Considering her words, she looked at him pointedly, "How well do you actually know my brother?" she asked him with interest, seemingly changing subjects.

(You can adlib here all you want. ;) )

Zora wrinkled her nose in quiet distaste when Altizica started gnawing on a bone, but continued, "That is good to hear," she said staring at him, "If you had said you knew him well, this meeting may have ended here." she told him truthfully.

"And regarding this deal you had with him, you did not, I hope, sign or agree to anything he may have offered or set as a condition to your agreement?" she asked keenly.

@Arcadia