Who Watches the Watchers? Oh yeah. Me. [Private, Crim and Thracyn Please]

[Motito Gil'dae]

OOCSorry for the delays fellas, life's been nuts. Anyway, lets get this show on the road. Now that it's finally started, I should be able to post rather regularly to it ^.^. Crim, I imagine we'll hold off on having you hop in until Thracyn and I get a ways in, so just keep an eye out, if you please, and jump in whenever you like, or else we'll PM you about it. Thanks~

Early Darkening, 2nd Darkening in the Month of Pontius, Winter
Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum

Tito walked the streets, eying the surroundings of 'La Rangee du Negociante'...essentially the mercantile district. As with most large cities, odds were anything could be had here, for a price. The current portrayal of Motito, Herenta Belthil, was a mercenary more than anything else. His dark outfit, aggressive stance, and brazenly displayed longsword said he was looking for...unhealthsome work for shady characters. This was, in fact, quite true.

Motito was still working on setting up all his connections. Currently, he was worming his way into Sandrine's outfit in Port Alyxandrya, had his legitimate front in Arconis, and had been dead-ended in Natura. He hadn't done much in Prime yet--because he'd been spending time with his wife and son there--but he'd spent time there as well. After this Tito planned to stop off at Medonia near the end of the winter, and probably Zinn'Sunn in later Pontius. He needed to set up his networks, and soon. He wanted underworld connections in as many places as he could find, and that included Jae.

The Ebon Watch was a rather interesting organization...he'd been tasked with finding trustworthy folk to work for him as the Imperial Spy Network, and one of the most important part of a network was...well...the network. He was using it not only to find trustworthy people to convert to his shadow organization, but a network for personal use as well. After all, one never knew what they'd run into in the future.

On this brightening he was wearing black trousers, black high-topped old Imperial Guard boots, A navy tunic, and his black cloak. His trusty elven longsword and elven longknife were with him, the longknife concealed in the small of his back under the cloak, the curved longsword worn openly, his hand, resting easily on the sweat-absorbent wooden hilt, garnered a somewhat nondescript ring. On his person he held several small teardrop rubies he'd just picked up for rather cheap, about three thousand crowns--most in hundred-crown note wads clipped by the thousand--with some coin change, the visa for his cover, Heren, and not much of anything else.

He intentionally headed to the less reputable portion of the district, hoping to find some shady characters there who might be looking to hire. Not that he'd stay on as such...he just wanted his foot in the door. Where he went from there depended on what kind of leverage he acquired while trying to make his way in.

[Thracyn Caldor]

The suns were just beginning to set as Thracyn Caldor took a right down one of Jaedaxia's many cobbled streets and made his way into the city's bustling Merchant's Quarter. The street traffic, always heavy, made grudging room for the uniformed man as he walked along the sidewalk, his eyes scanning back and forth over the milling crowds while his brain was occupied with other, more esoteric concerns. This particular part of the Quarter was perhaps a bit less well-respected than some of the other more famous shops fronting the grand boulevards, forming as it did a small enclave where one might find things which should not, strictly speaking, be offered for sale. Thracyn noted the looks of distrust and concealed contempt which his blue-and-gold uniform attracted but did nothing to excite the crowds, he was here to see and hear, not to act, though he considered in retrospect that if he really wanted to find something out, coming in his work clothes had perhaps not been the best idea.

The Medonian shook his head at the thought, it was certainly too late now for any such considerations, and besides it wasn't as if he was here looking for anything in particular. He just wanted a better idea of some of the underworld currents which might be flowing beneath the surface of his city, and the idea had led to the impromptu decision to walk across the city after his scheduled patrols had ended and take a look around for himself. The weight of the longsword on his hip was a reassuring presence, as always, to the young guradsman on his self-appointed quest.

It was not as bad as he had imagined, true enough, the shops, though obviously in lesser repair than some of the other more famous locales, still had respectable faces to present to the world, and the crowds seemed for the most part financially independent, if not wealthy. At this final thought the sergeant allowed a small chuckle, it wasn't like anyone got rich on a guard's pay anyhow, and the fact that he was even thinking about such things was a tell on how much Jaedaxia had changed him in the months since his arrival.

Thracyn stopped and bought a small cup of steaming coffee from a streetside vendor, flipping the silver through the air towards the man and leaning against a grey wall to take a long sip and let his eyes play over the crowds still streaming by. A black-clad elf, walking by with what looked like determined purpose in his stride, caught his eye and Thracyn watched as the man made his way expertly through the winding street. His eyes narrowed as he took in the details of the man's garb, black pants and boots, a dark navy top and long black cloak, and most interestingly what looked like a very well-made longsword hanging from his hip. The sergeant's interest was piqued, not many Jaedaxians went about armed so openly, at least not in his admittedly limited experience, and the look of the elf, combined with his weapon, gave Thracyn the idea that he might be looking at someone deadly. Perhaps also, someone who might have the sort of information or insight he was searching for.

Finishing with his quick analysis and not bothering to take the last sip from his cup, Thracyn pushed off the wall and fell back into the continually moving currents of the crowd, slowing his pace so that he was behind the black-clad elf but still able to keep him in sight as he traveled through the Quarter. He kept his eyes focused ahead but not directly on the black-clad man, hoping not to set off any of the elf's possible internal alarms, though he knew that subtlety in a uniform was about as likely as a warm brightening in winter. Either way, he had a few questions for the fellow and he hoped that the interview would at least prove to be civil.

[Motito Gil'dae]

He was here to attract attention. That was his purpose. That someone would spy him and think him worth investigating. Anyone worth their salt would do as much, and try to claim as much of an upper hand on the situation as possible, including trying to be sneaky and follow him to approach him discreetly. As such, one of the things he was specifically looking for was a tail. It wasn't long before he was on the recieving end of one, and whoever it was, they weren't half bad. They couldn't have been great if he, someone mostly unskilled at doing it himself--and thus detecting it--could sense them, but they were good enough to not be so blatantly obvious that their presence screamed. After all, if you can't bring the Aslanites to the temple...

He rounded a corner to take him into an alleyway, his movement as nonchalant as ever, and after he rounded the corner he leaned up against the bruilding. His arms were crossed--clearly not going for his obvious weapon--and one foot was propped up against the building. His less obvious weapon--and by far his most dangerous--was already prepared, having sent his mind into Clara just as he rounded the corner.

Assuming his tail was following him, as Thracyn rounded the corner Motito was waiting, a curious grin on his face as he appraised him. An officer of the law? Interesting...and clearly not afraid to get his hands dirty, which was why he'd tailed the elf--a feat made even more impressive by the fact he hadn't attracted too much attention openly attired as a lawman in this portion of the city--though his inability to judge could cost him his life if he wasn't careful. An admirable set of traits...reminded him somewhat of himself, admittedly.

"Anything I can do ta help ya, Boss?" he asked in Heren's smooth, easy-going less-educated tone, "I figgered you got a reason for following me 'roundabouts, thought I'd ask ya directly considerin' you seemed to have a hard time keepin' up if indeed ya did wanna catch up an' talk to me." The words were spoken with a slight smirk of amusement, showing that he knew what Thracyn was up to, and there were no hard feelings.

[Thracyn Caldor]

Thracyn kept his eyes on the black clad elf as he worked his way through the crowds, looking for any sign that the other man noticed he was being followed. Of course, it wasn't as if he'd had call to do this much before, but from what he could tell he was still working undetected, which gave him a small amount of satisfaction as he made his way through the Jaedaxian streets. He just caught sight as the elf ducked off the main street and into an alleyway and he took a few seconds to consider his options while he feet continued to take him forward. He didn't think he had been spotted, but on the other hand he was not the sort to blindly believe everything weas going according to plan just because it looked that way. As such his right hand slipped down to his belt, not exactly near his longsword sitting secure in its' scabbard but close enough that he could make a move for it while saving precious seconds if something was to go awry.

He rounded the corner and took in the scene with one sweep of his blue-grey eyes, instantly noticing the elf leaning against a wall nonchalantly, clearly doing his best to show his peaceful intentions. As soon as he spoke Thracyn met the elf's eyes and offered a slight shrug, so the other man had spotted him after all. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but even so he felt a bit of chagrin that the subject of his attention had been able to recognize his attempts at subterfuge so quickly. Of course he hadn't done himself any favors, attired as he was, and the elf's voice and mannerisms indicated that he wasn't taking Thracyn's interest personally, so the Medonian sergeant decided to give himself a bit of a pass while he decided how to respond to the 'friendly' invitation.

His right hand slid away from his sword as he shrugged slightly again and fell into step besides the black clad elf, waiting to see if the other wanted to stand and talk, or if he indeed had some actual destination in mind. "I suppose you wouldn't believe me if I said I was just out for a darkening stroll?" he began, a hint of humor in his own voice as he wondered how truthful to be with the man then continued on. "Just thought I'd come down and see what the seamier side of Negociante has to offer. I don't get called down here very often, as I'm sure you figured out. I like to know as much as I can about places I might end up on a dark and stormy darkening."

It was a reasonable enough explanation, at least for the moment, and Thracyn paused for a moment before speaking again. "You look like someone who would know his way around."

[Motito Gil'dae]

Had Tito not been specifically looking for a tail, he might have missed Thracyn. As it was he'd been discreetly on the lookout for someone following him, and so when the lawman had begun to do so, he'd picked up on it after a few minutes. As the man turned to walk in time with the elven sorcerer, he spun and moved back into the flow of traffic in the lesser-populaced portion of town, the lawman at his side. He listened to the words he spoke and grinned slightly.

"Oh, I'd believe ya were out for a stroll, Constable," he bantered back, "but I just don't necessarily buy that the stroll just happened to take ya behind me for several minutes and then down that alleyway by chance." As he listened to the officer elaboriate, he gave a knowing smile and nodded.

"I can respect that," he answered to the cause of why, "but respectfully suggest ya let yer feet guide yer steps with care. Many of those in the seamier side of any city would just as soon slash a lawman's throat as run and hide, if they think they can get away with it. Killin' officers of the law only increases one's standing on the streets, sad to say." There was no telling if Thracyn's words were genuine, but the response was evenly given, the offered explaination taken at face value. Besides, it's not like Tito himself was intending to be all that honest. As Thracyn made mention of him, he began the introductions.

"Herenta Belthil's the name, folks just call me Heren. First time ta Jaedaxia, but I know people like these here well 'nough," he mentioned, motioning to the citizens of Negociante. "I'm a Mercenary, wondering who down here might need a sellsword. Working with the scary crowd doesn't scare me...I'm not 'xactly the 'scare easy' type." He offered a mellow shrug before continuing on. "I do what work I'm paid for, an' like to keep my ear ta the ground so I know when somethin' big is comin' up. One learn hows to survive in this industry by avoiding the uglier messes--plots against the government, massive multi-city underworld movements, networks being activated all at once for a shady purpose...the list of possible 'to avoid's grows every era, but the concept is the same." He eyed the city official, wondering just what he was willing to divulge after Tito himself had given up a fair bit of info.

"What 'bout yerself? What's yer story?"

[Thracyn Caldor]

OOC: Apologies for the delay, my schedule's finally calmed down so subsequent posts will be much more frequent

IC:
Thracyn fell into step easily next to the black-clad elf as he led the way out of the little alley and back into the ebb and flow of pedestrian traffic moving through Negociante. He wondered briefly what they might look like to random passer-bys, a guardsman and a armed and certainly dangerous looking elf, walking along chatting amicably. It was a strange picture to be sure, but the Medonian put the irrelevant thoughts fromhis mind as he concentrated on the elf's words as he spoke.

The man's warning seemed honest enough, with none of the overly theatrical menace that a local thug might put into the suggestion and Thracyn nodded thoughtfully at his words. "Good advice, and worth taking. I confess the uniform isn't really the most discreet thing to go skulking about the back streets." He listened as the elf mentioned the possible habits of the city's underworld and nodded again, intellectually the man's argument made sense, but Thracyn was just young enough, and confident enough in his ability to handle himself, that he took the words with a grain of salt. Still, it was something that bore thinking about, and he resolved silently to show a bit more discretion in his recreational jaunts in the future.

"My name's Caldor. Thracyn Caldor," he offered when Heren introduced himself, pausing briefly to offer a handshake before continuing on while he listened to the elf's story. It was a rather colorful one at that, not too many would admit being a sellsword on such short acqaintance and certainly not to an officer of the law, even if they themselves were not engaged in breaking said law at the time. It was a telling measure of the man and the genesis of Thracyn's first thoughts that this particular elf might be more than he appeared to be. Too, it piqued the young sergeant's curiosity about just who would be in the market for mercenaries in his city, and he mentally filed the question away as they two continued their impromptu stroll.

"Well, staying clear of the big messes would seem a salient point to keeping yourself alive in that line of work. Unfortunately, I get paid to put myself in the middle of those messes, so you could say we're in the same line, but opposite ends. Or something of the sort," Thracyn replied while he quickly recalled the 'messes' he had already gotten into working with the Protectorat. Vampires, insane drug dealers, Zaratan poachers and the like flashed across his mind in the blink of an eye before he realized Heren had finished his short speech with a question directed his way and responded.

"Not much to tell," he admitted while the pair dodged a quartet of drunken sailors singing woefully off-key. "I've been with the Protectorat since coming to the city in summer, and since then I've found myself in a few scrapes here and there. A bit of trouble with vampires back in the autumn, some overzealous poachers and some more purely local concerns, perhaps not interesting to someone who's seen a bit more of the Empire than I have. Still, it's exciting work and I seem to have a talent for it. Definitely better than rotting behind a desk somewhere."

[Motito Gil'dae]

~*OOC*~No worries~.


When it came to combat, few on Telath had the experience with it--and the natural ease that accompanied with that experience--to be so casual about such a thing and know fully the ramifications of what they were talking about. For such a mention as his business, and looking as menacing as he did, the lawman next to him was well within his rights, most likely, to detain him on the spot. Given, however, that from their conversation thusfar he seemed one of the more benign of the pedestrians of Negociante, that seemed like slim odds.

As the man considered the elf's advice he grinned and shrugged. He knew, that to those watching, he appeared to be one of two things. Either very a very brave and dangerous fighter, or a very stupid rat. Those that thought him a stupid rat would underestimate him if they tried anything, and those that thought him a brave and dangerous fighter would be more likely to show him respect and inquire about him than try to attack him outright. He made sure they were walking the streets when he dropped his name and occupation, hoping snitches would 'overhear', and thus report their findings to any seeking further inquiry about him. At the same time, he could identify himself to this man beside him--or, at least his cover of Heren--without worry, and all would be well enough.

That he would be so blunt with it would likely also put him in one of two categories within this Thracyn's book. Either he was very confident, or there was more to him than he seemed. If he simply assumed confidence, then the man was better off not knowing, for surely it would get him into very big trouble as he wouldn't have the intelligence to properly handle the secret. If he delved deeper, however, thinking that there was more behind it...well, then maybe this sergeant would be usable, if he found he could trust the man.

He didn't care about trust with regular operatives. They violated that, they stopped getting a paycheck. Simple as that. His Deputy Chiefs knew more than the Watchmen, however, and if he was going to divulge something to them, he wanted to know they were people he could trust. he had no indication thusfar that this Thracyn was trustworthy, but nor did he have any indication that he wasn't. The man was neutral at the moment in the elf's book, and neutral wasn't good enough for a job as a Deputy.

He was getting ahead of himself, however. That was assuming Thracyn was even worth bringing into the circle as a Deputy for the Ebon Watch. Time would tell. As Thracyn detailed his own existance, the elf smiled thinly.

"Indeed. I know many who have learned to lament such posts as Desk Watchers."

Like myself. He'd liked feeling like he could have made a difference in Prime as the Minister of War and Imperial Marshal. That had very quickly fled when all they'd done on the Imperial Council was sit around and talk about making changes without actually making changes, and he wound up feeling quite impotent. This direct hands-on work was more his style and preference, much, he guessed, like Thracyn.

"An old flame of mine had a run-in with a vamp once. Not a pretty sight those things. Ungodly powerful, some of 'em. Poachers are news, never delt with those bad boys...most of my action has been more military than not," he offered with a shrug, playing down his experience, "a few skermishes and battles here and there, some personal protection stuff, even had to deal with some satyrs once. Nasty buggers. Angry bastards, the lot of 'em, but pretty scheming. I'm also a fair sight capable at anti-mage combat...had to learn a few tricks of my own to accquire such a thing, even have a few spells tucked away in items here and there, just in case." True enough, though only one of said items were on his person...his ring.

"Yeah, I've seen the Empire, can't say I'm too much of a sight impressed with the lot of it, though. Local concerns are just as big and important as larger ones, and usually a bit safer to deal with...hence why I stay away from big uglies like my mentioned list." He snatched the wrist of a cutpurse looking for his coinpouch and tossed the wrist aside, continuing along without disciplining the halfling responsible.

"So tell me Caldor Thracyn Caldor, you know of anyone down here looking for a sellsword, or who among the underworld would be the people to talk to?" Some might find it odd that he'd ask someone from the Protectorat such a question--the person from the Protectorat included--but usually there were two types of people who knew how to find the higher-grade lowlifes. The medium-grade lowlifes, who would be equally terrified of ratting out their boss or sending valuable skills to a competitor, or the lawmen, who usually wouldn't give out such advice and quite possibly arrest an elf just for asking.

It would be interesting to see what venue of resolution this Thracyn would take.

[Thracyn Caldor]

Thracyn regarded the elf trudging alonside him witha mixture of curiosity and apprehension as the two wound their way deeper into La Rangee du Negociante. Not apprehension about his own personal safety, for the sergeant knew enough to take care of himself and of course if this Heren had wanted to do him harm he had been given a golden opportunity when the young Meodnian had blithely followed him into an alleyway and passed it up. No, it was more of what the elf said, as well as didn't say, which contributed to the strange combination of impressions Thracyn was receiving from him. He was honest, almost painfully so for one who purported to be merely a sword for hire, especially to a lawman who had followed him for no reason and could in all likelihood find any of a number of reasons to bring him into custody.

Indeed, as the black clad elf detailed his own range of experiences after hearing the sergeant's, Thracyn had a sense that he was downplaying his role in the world, whether to keep a lower profile or because of some other reason the Medonian could only begin to guess. He could easily agree with the expressed sentiment regarding desk watchers, it was Thracyn's greatest fear to be taken off the streets he had come to love, in a perverse sort of way, despite the violence and dirt which he too commonly came into contact with. Still, as the two continued talking, it became obvious this Herenta Belthil had to be much more than a common mercenary, or Thracyn silently promised himself he would eat his cloak. What this could possibly be, of course, the young sergeant had no idea. He wondered how to broach the subject as Heren effortlessly detected and dispatched a potential pickpocket, sending the hapless halfling on his way with no more than a stern look and a sore wrist.

The next question from the elf surprised him, and he sent the man a measuring gaze from blue-grey eyes as he decided on how he should answer. A part of his brain screamed for him to take the man in right now, he had as much as admitted that he was here for something illegal, and from the looks of him he would make quite a formidable opponent for the sergeant's own department to have to contend against. Then again, however, the nagging feeling that he had received, from the mention of actual military action sometime in Heren's past to the calm way which the man had accepted a Protectorat tail, as well as the almost too casual reference to arcanic tools at his disposal, made Thracyn take a few seconds to decide on his course of reply before speaking.

"It depends on why you'd want to know. I'm sure someone of your abilities could hire himself out easily enough to any number of pimps or strongarm men or loan sharks, but that hardly seems like something you'd come all the way to Jaedaxia for. As for someone in the underworld you could talk to, if I knew I'd be kicking down their door right now, not strolling through the seedy side of town with an elf who should for all intents and purporses be avoiding the law rather than indulging one's curiosity. So why don't you tell me, Monsieur Belthil," and at this Thracyn came to a stop, fixing his gaze directly into the elf's face, "what it is you're really here in search of?"

[Motito Gil'dae]

As Thracyn spoke his response, stopping dead, Motito sensed the pause and stood still beside him, though he didn't look over at the upholder of justice. At the sound of the man's question, the corners of the elf's lips curled upwards. Not only intelligent, but brave too. Brazen, really, given that odds were high he'd be capable of gutting the man where he stood without overmuch trouble. Not that he would, but it was certainly something he predicted to be within his realm of capability. He let the pregnant pause hang in the air for a long moment before he spoke again, still not having looked at Thracyn, and not in shame or fear or anysuch thing. If anything, his expression carried a sense of nonchalance.

"That, Caldor Thracyn Caldor, is a very good question...but not one to be asked in polite company. Thusfar I've been polite. Take it as a kindness and leave it at that for now. In the presence of company I don't talk about such things. In the presence of people I trust...now that tale might be different. What I will tell you, law man, is that your and my goals aren't so very different...we just move about them in different ways and to varying degrees." He paused for a moment, letting that comment hang enigmatically, before continuing to move forward, not once having looked into the human's eyes.

"Don't mistake my presence with you, it serves a double purpose...I'm here as much to be seen as I am to chat. Someone picks up some details about a man like me and they learn that either I'm stupid or I'm sure of myself. Those that think me stupid will underestimate me and those that think me sure of myself will believe it's with good reason, and wish to know more if they're interested in talking business. Besides, even if those that think me stupid strike at me first, I can still dispatch them to increase the odds of those that might think me worthwhile are paying attention." He chuckled quietly. He was by no means the most experienced or capable warrior in existance, but he not only had training equivilant to many advanced soldiers, but he was an expert at wielding magic. Even if his amount of vis was lower than it had been in a long time, his actual skill was among the best in the empire...he hadn't been an Archmage for no reason, after all. Odds were, petty thugs that would be stupid enough to want to take him out should, ideally, be no match for him.

"You're right though, pimps and strongarms don't interest me...I want to know more about the cream of the crop. And for a man of the law, your investigative methods seem to leave a bit to be desired, so it seems I'm back to square one..."

[Thracyn Caldor]

Thracyn watched as the elf stopped as he did, his eyes studiously avoiding Thracyn's own though not, the sergeant thought, from any real desire to avoid meeting his eyes. Rather, it seemed that the elf was almost not deigning to look at him for the way he had blurted out his question, but it was out and there was nothing for it but to see what the black-clad man would choose to say in response. The sense that the guardsman had was confirmed moments later when Heren spoke, his voice carrying nothing so much as a tone of measured nonchalance.

The Medonian thought over the elf's words, not as surprised as he might have been, though the fact that he kept referring to him with his last name first was mildy annoying. He supposed it was his own fault for introducing himself in that way but it was an old habit, and one which had never led to the sort of confusion which the elf seemed to have now. Though, Thracyn thought after a moment, it was entirely possible the man was doing it just to goad him. He wondered what exactly Heren meant by implying they were in the same line of work, he was convinced the elf wasn't a guardsman of any sort, but given the cryptic tone of his reply and the experiences he had described earlier in the conversation Thracyn had little trouble imagining him as a military or government official of some sort. Any farther or more specific than that, he dared not make a guess.

"You can stick with 'Thracyn'," he finally said after a moment, a bit of humor evident in his tone, "and there's much to be said for politeness. I'm glad to see I wasn't entirely incorrect regarding your line of work. Though I could've been a bit more subtle," A handy understatement, that, andThracyn said nothing else while the elf spoke again, outlining his reasons for going about the city attired as he was. He found that he agreed with the salient points the elf made regarding preconceptions. They were powerful things, he knew from experience, and appearance was the primary factor in crafting the image you wished someone else to have of you. He berated himself again for blundering into Negociante still dressed in his uniform, it had indeed been a rather brainless move and he wondered again what valuable information he might have missed by being overeager to stretch his legs on the seamy side of town.

He pushed the thought away a moment after it had formed, no sense in crying over spilled milk, so to speak, and he had never been one to spend valuable time mulling over mistakes he couldn't correct. As Heren confirmed his earlier impressions about the caliber of underworld character he was searching for, Thracyn nodded forward slightly to indicate the pair could start walking agian before he replied. "You're right. Honestly, investigation isn't really something stressed for the beat patrols, and I'm still rather junior in the department. I've only been a sergeant for a few months. Most of my experience so far has been a bit more....straightforward." He considered a moment bringing up the search for the Piper as relevbant experience but dismissed the idea out of hand just as quickly. Obviouisly Heren, or whatever his name might turn out to be, wouldn't find questioning a tavern owner then bribing him a good indicator of investigative success, especially given the way the affair had ended.

He looked to the elven man for a moment while he considered his next inquiry carefully. Surely he hadn't given the man too much reason to trust him, or even think he had any ability whatesoever to aid him in whatever his busniess was, but he figured asking couldn't hurt. "I would like to help you out, if it's agreeable. I'm sure between the two of us we could come up with something more in line with what you're looking for." Thracyn of course had no explicit idea what he was volunteering for but the offer was genuine, if the elf chose to take the young Medonian up on it.

[Motito Gil'dae]

As Thracyn made the correction the elf grinned, the half-moon smile glimmering on his expression for a second before returning to a normal cordial upturn of the mouth. He could tell his poking fun at the way the young sergeant had introduced himself was rankling the lad, but it was all in good fun, and at least he wasn't sour about it. Good humor could take one a long way, the elf had learned. Have the grace to laugh at oneself as well as others, and it was easier to get farther in life.

Motito, for his part, had always been a bit more of a direct person, and this held even more true ever since his return from being trapped as a non-corporeal thought-entity on the Plane of Force for what had felt like, to him, millennia. So, it was perhaps no surprise that when Thracyn admonished his lack of subtlety the elf chimed in right behind him.

"Yes, you could have. Lesson Number One in regards to investigation: Subtlety works wonders. A surreptitiously asked question is far easier to get answered than one asked through brute force or direct questioning. Being direct only puts people on their guard. If you want information and it's information they might not want you to know, you've got to weasel it out of them, not hammer it out of them. Hammering inspires belligerence rather than compliance, especially in post-pubescent males, who'd take it as a challenge to their masculinity; a duel for alpha male status, if you will. Now granted, I don't follow that form...I just don't feel like telling you something when I don't trust you to know what information it is you're asking for." He offered a relaxed shrug, clearly not taking issue with telling all this to the young sergeant.

"Now granted, even a more subtle approach wouldn't have necessarily worked with me, as I'm on guard for that, but regardless, you can learn a lot--if not more--by how someone says what they say--or don't say--than by what they actually say. For instance, if you've been paying attention, you might have already been able to pick up a few key facts about me. So tell me, Thracyn--and you can call me Heren, by the way--what have you learned about me so far regardless of what I've said or not said?" This was a very interesting test. If his suspicions were correct this youth was more of a natural with investigative skills than he let on...he just needed to better understand the fundamentals of how to approach using them.

"Show me you are capable of of more subtle understanding and investigation than an elephant and I'll consider letting you help."