All That Glitters Is Mine

[Raine Proctor]

"Thank you! Certainly come again." With that, she subtly shooed them out of her shop. She already had exactly what she wanted, and so did they. There was no need for them to linger inside.  Once they got outside, Raine returned her attention to the coin purse. She'd already counted the amount inside, and it was exact. Which of course made a pleased smile come to her face as she placed it in the chest with the rest. Nothing made her so happy as doing business. Even if this was just her front trading. Only a few knew about the contents in her back room.

"Don't drop anything." She said offhandedly to one of her assistants. The perks of having enough money to buy help was that she could focus on what she wanted. But the downside was that she had to spend money and train them to do exactly what she needed. There were a number of items they could drop and potentially break. Raine doubted they had the money to pay for it. Even with her paying them.

Her attention was grabbed when the door opened. The face that popped up was familiar. Raine had to smirk. "Well well. What brings you to my shop?" She asked, although she had a feeling it was just business. That was the only thing Raine settled for in there.

[Trevor Marin]

There were moments when Trevor felt as though his life was so sweet he could taste it. He'd brokered deals, both visible and behind closed doors, that promised to fill his coffers with even more coin. Not one to sit upon his riches, Trevor was always on the lookout for lucrative business ventures, which was more than likely to blame for his financing of a certain ship with a less than stellar reputation.

It was entirely likely this reputation was the predominant reason for the impromptu visit to one of his competitive rivals.

"Good afternoon, Miss Proctor." Trevor replied without missing a beat. Only the faintest trace of sarcasm could be found in his voice as he eyes settled upon the shopkeeper. Trevor knew better than to be swayed by the smirk that touched her lips. He was certain the woman's looks had charmed many a men into a false sense of security but to him she was nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing. Much like himself. "It's lovely to see you too."

[Raine Proctor]

The trace of sarcasm in his tone, while subtle to others, was not to her. She'd gotten to good at reading people in general for it to go unnoticed. But she didn't say anything about it. Sarcasm was to be expected when dealing with Trevor. It was the fact she was dealing with him at all that was the curious bit. While they weren't outright enemies, Raine doubted either of them could term each other "friends." Which meant he was either here for business, or to simply try ruffling her feathers. She wouldn't put it past him.

It was lovely to see her? An eyebrow quirked up in disbelief, but the smirk remained. It even got a little wider and slightly more sardonic. "Lovely to see me? Now there's a sentence I never expected to come from the great Trevor Marin. Unless he's trying to sweeten me up." She replied, the last bit holding a noticeable amount of sarcasm. There was only one thing that could sweeten her up, and Raine was very sure that he of all people was aware of it. "You never answered my question, dear. What brings you here?" She questioned again, resting her chin in her palm with the same smirk still there. She never took her eyes off him.

[Trevor Marin]

Trevor did so enjoy playing such games. Subtle hints and tells could be found in every word most people spoke. Deciphering, and ultimately exploiting, ranked among Trevor's favorite activities. Raine was a different creature, though. While he wasn't ready to call just anyone his equal, he did respect Raine's intuition and business acumen.

"You hurt me, Miss Proctor." Trevor said without much truth to be found in his words. "I can't simply stop by on a lovely summer afternoon for an idle chat with a fellow merchant?" He gave a little smile to go along with his almost playful tone that was less that of an old friend looking for conversation and more the type one would expect to see on a shark or other predator. Trevor didn't bother much with pretense. Raine was smart enough for that. Still didn't mean he couldn't get a little amusement out of it.

Moving further into the shop, Trevor milled about, eyeing some of the wares on display. "I am in the market for... a few items I was hoping you could assist with." Trevor said, glancing to Raine and offering a faint shrug, as if this was merely a convenience rather than the reason he was here. "I need something that can be administered to calm someone who may be... unruly." He studied Raine for a moment. While he would hardly consider her a friend he did, at the very least, trust her capacity to be discreet with such business.

[Raine Proctor]

She didn't even need her skill in reading tones to tell his sentence was bullshit. Could he just stop by for a chat? Raine barely refrained from rolling her eyes. Instead she returned the predatory smile right back at him, her eyes glinting. "I'm afraid not. Time is money, as I'm sure you know being a fellow merchant as it were." She replied with the same smile, tilting her head to the side slightly. No she was not fooled at all by the little game they were playing. Although she could admit it was at the very least amusing.

To her surprise though, he was in to buy something. Although anyone who dared enter Raine's shop better not come to simply waste her time. Intrigued now, her eyes stayed trained on the man walking about her shop. Though he shrugged, Raine had the sense to think that this business was not going to be the usual over-the-counter deal. Especially if she had to deal with Trevor. Which only made her more intrigued to find out what he wanted.

Something to calm down someone unruly? Bearing in mind her conversation with Ethan some time ago, and the oddness of this current meeting, Raine was starting to piece together a story. Part by part, the equation was starting to add up. "I do have something that can help... Calm a person. Although the dosage that should be administered without harming the user depends on age, gender, and size. What am I dealing with here?" She asked, slipping right into business mode.

[Trevor Marin]

Questions. There were always questions. Even the people who didn't 'ask questions' tended to do just that. Trevor wasn't sure if the ever so faint flash of familiarity with the situation he caught in Raine's expression should be seen as good or bad. Raine was too smart for her own good. He knew damn well she kept her ear to the ground and more than likely had heard a thing or two about the problematic endeavor he'd inadvertently found himself part of and his inquiry was now another piece of that puzzle.

"I'm not looking to sedate a dog, if that's what you mean." Trevor said, opting to remain vague. While he suspected Raine knew more than she'd ever let on and he wouldn't have bothered to come here if he didn't trust she'd keep quiet should any authorities come sniffing around, Trevor would reveal his cards just to be on the safe side. The less he said, the less Raine would be lying if she was asked about him. "This... hypothetical person would be a young woman in her twenties with a reputation for being... loud and obnoxious. I'd prefer to have something to ensure she stayed quiet if she proves to be difficult."

[Raine Proctor]

Raine openly rolled her eyes at the statement about it not being a dog. She suspected even he knew how ridiculous that would be. "As if you'd show up to my shop with something so meaningless." She replied drily. He was being very vague, which only meant he was hiding something. Whether or not it was for better or worse, she couldn't say. But Raine was about as curious as a cat and twice as devious. Knowledge could hold even more power than coin.

A young woman in her twenties with a reputation for being loud and obnoxious. It was as if there was a small "click." Suddenly everything fell into place and painted the perfect picture. A small, faint smile played at her lips, but it was knowing. Though she could hardly understand why Trevor Marin would be involved in something like this. Although a few explanations popped into mind, one in particular taking the shape of a certain woman. But Raine made no comment other than to stand and head towards the back wall. "I may know of such... Medicine." She responded, passing her hand over the wall. In subtle and minuscule movements, she pressed a combination into expertly hidden buttons in the wall. The lock for her back room had cost a fortune, but it was well worth it. It wasn't magic, just brilliant engineering from one of the many contacts she had. Once the door opened, she entered inside. In no time at all she returned with a medium sized bottle and shut the door behind her.

"This," She stated, holding the bottle up to eye level with Trevor, "Will help calm her nerves. Add roughly two spoonfuls of this to her drink, and it'll start to work in about ten minutes. Do not use more to try speeding the process up, or she could very well become brain dead." Raine warned, placing it on the table but keeping her hand on it. She wouldn't relinquish something so expensive until she had her coin. Besides, she aimed a sweet smile up at Trevor. "Although you surprise me, Trevor. I never took you as someone who would... 'Care' for the sick, as it is. Especially someone like her."

[Trevor Marin]

Trevor nearly issued a resigned sigh. As he suspected, Raine had been able to piece together far more than he'd hoped. Someone such as her, who ran in the same circles as he, was far too smart to not just put everything together, but also understand how out of character this was for Trevor to be involved in. Trevor was one to take calculated risks, sure, but this was far out of his normal realm. The coin he could receive from such an endeavor wasn't worth the penalties should it fall through.

And he certainly wasn't going to admit any female related motivation playing a factor.

"Yes, well, I'm not looking to kill anyone." Trevor smirked then, though, and the gleam in his eyes made it clear that didn't mean he couldn't make such a thing happen, he just wouldn't be holding the blade. "Very curious." Trevor mused with a contemplative nod. One thing he could always count on was Raine to be able to deliver where others couldn't. "Is the taste subtle?" He asked. "I fear this individual may be selective."

A faint chuckle escaped as Raine all but revealed she knew exactly what he was up to. It would have been nigh impossible to hide the kidnapping of a member of a prominent military family and the rumors would certainly point to a specific ship and, simply by proxy, a certain merchant. "It's an endeavor I'm hoping to resolve quickly." Trevor said with a curt nod. He didn't want to be part of this, though he didn't have much of a choice at this point. "I have no desire to remain in the 'caretaking' business, consider this a... lone venture."

[Raine Proctor]

Raine chuckled and tilted her head to the side with a smirk. "Well I certainly don't expect you to do it." She replied. Was the taste subtle? Raine purpose her lips. If Trevor was dealing with who Raine suspected, she could definitely see her being selective. "Very, although there's a very faint sweetness to it. It can easily be masked by other tastes, or ignored entirely." She assured him. "Fortunately the entire thing needn't be drunk for the medicine to take effect, although it should be more than half. Besides, she might welcome the taste to freshen up the water."

Trevor confirmed what Raine already knew. It seemed entirely foolish from her perspective, with little benefits at all in comparison to the risks. Which is why Raine suspected exactly what had motivated him to agree to it in the first place. Raine chuckled and tapped her fingers against the potion's glass. "I would hope so. I would be dreadfully disappointed should this prove to be a fatal mistake for you, Trevor. Who else could I find with such wit?" She asked sweetly, although it was laced with sarcasm.

[Trevor Marin]

Trevor nodded contemplatively as he reached out to take the bottle from Raine so he could get a closer look at it. Raine was going to be well compensated not only for the offered product, but also her continued secrecy. Trevor never left a deal in someone else's debt. The terms would be agreed upon before he would pocket the bottle and leave Raine's shop. If he was lucky it would only take coin to get out of here. "How did I know you would have exactly what I needed?" Trevor said with a light chuckle.

A low sigh then escaped and Trevor could do little more than offer a shrug. Raine hadn't called his motivations out, though it was no secret he and a certain pirate captain spent an inordinate amount of time together when the Black Dagger was in port. Even one as secretive as he couldn't hide everything. "I wouldn't worry." He said, amused at the mere thought of 'losing' in any endeavor. "It's only those foolish enough to grow complacent during certain activities that fear reprisal." He did display just the faintest hint of worry then as he glanced to the side. Most probably wouldn't have been able to detect it, though the flash of emotion was there nonetheless. "I'm going to make sure this is an isolated incident." He said, his head shaking. "I'd rather not be caught up in this kind of 'business'."

[Raine Proctor]

Rains handed him the bottle containing the dark liquid with a pointed look. He knew not to leave without paying, especially when it came to her. Thieves in her shop did not often last to see the light of the next day. Although Trevor wasn't likely to do so, it was out of habit more than anything. The look was gone in an instant once he made his little comment. "Because I have exactly what everyone needs, Trevor." She replied with a purr. She shrugged her shoulders. "Being a reliable source keeps customers coming back."

Trevor only shrugged with a sigh, but Raine didn't need any words of confirmation. She knew first hand the motivation ing power a woman could hold. That and rumors said enough about the two for Raine to get more than a hint. And speaking of hints, was that a spot of worry she saw? Raine blinked, but her keen eyes had caught it. Trevor Marin was worried. Even if it was minuscule, it was shocking to see. Almost vulnerable. "You shouldn't." She agreed, tapping her nails on her counter. "The entire idea of... 'Caretaking' is a foolish one. Too much risk, not enough reward."

[Trevor Marin]

Trevor understood the value of an ally and how quickly one could turn into an enemy. In his line of business he found it far more lucrative to gain more of the former while limiting, or quickly eliminating, the latter. Raine most certainly someone he wished to keep on his side just as he suspected himself to fall into the same category for her. Little could be gained from the two of them fighting, especially when they still stood to make each other a great deal of coin by working together. "I'll take it." He said with a faint nod. There had been little question, of course, though now the haggling could begin.

"Believe me when I say it wasn't my decision." It was a startlingly candid moment, even with the vague nature of the conversation. Trevor knew Raine was sharp enough to put the pieces of the puzzle in place on her own making it pointless to fully hide his intent and motives. "I feel the same way you do about it, it's too great a risk without much of a potential payoff. Especially once you factor in expenses." Though something had drawn him into it regardless. "I'll be happy once it's all said and done."

[Raine Proctor]

A catlike smile appeared on her face when he agreed to buy. She settled into her chair and rested her chin on steepled fingers. "500 gold." She stated immediately. But then she raised a hand to halt him before he could speak. "And before you try haggling, let it be noted that that bottle has enough liquid to be administered once a day for a month." She stressed. "I suspect after your journey you'll still need to... 'Care' for your charge. The ingredients to make it are rare and the process long, and I have a high suspicion you'll need it on your trip. 500."

Raine certainly hoped it wasn't his decision, or else she'd been sorely overestimating Trevor's smarts. Still, it was the rare bit of blunt honesty between the two, so Raine took it as such. "Hopefully you'll be alive at the end of it all and not personally 'thanked' by your charge's father." Raine responded with a bit grim of tone. She wasn't very protective of anyone other than herself, but there were certain benefits to Trevor that even she couldn't deny.

[Trevor Marin]

"Deal." Trevor said quickly. He wasn't in the mood to go back and forth. The price was exorbitant, to be sure, but he didn't mind adding a good amount extra to pay for Raine's silence in the matter. Anyway, he was the one with the need and Raine would have the decided advantage in any negotiations. No, it was far better to relent from the beginning and pay the asked amount. "I'll have one of my couriers deliver payment tomorrow morning." He gave a nod. That much coin wasn't easily transported and he knew better than to leave debts unpaid. This wasn't the first time he'd sent a large sum of money to Raine's shop and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

"Yes." Trevor nodded contemplatively. "That's the second problem. I have a bad feeling this isn't going to be the easiest thing to make go away. I have a... plan, but I'm no completely sure if it'll work." A light chuckle escaped then as he folded his arms across his chest. "It's going to take some maneuvering but I'm pretty sure I can make it work."

[Raine Proctor]

The pleasure in her expression was very evident, especially with the wicked smile on her face. Every deal made with Raine had even the faintest feeling of dealing with the devil. She simply got too much enjoyment out of it, especially getting coin so easily. "Pleasure doing business with you." She replied smoothly and warmly. "I'll make sure to expect them tomorrow." She loved deals like these, and knew Trevor would make good on his word. Otherwise he'd owe her a favor, and that was a very deadly position to be in. Especially when Raine was the one calling it in.

He had a plan he wasn't sure would exactly work. Raine raised an eyebrow at that sort of answer. It seemed incredibly weak. Especially for someone like Trevor. Raine planned out almost every move long in advance. The fact Trevor seemed this unprepared told Raine just how abruptly this had been dropped on him. When he mentioned it taking some maneuvering, Raine wracked her brain for an answer. How could you escape someone with immense power and a whole army essentially to chase you? Either vanish completely, or go somewhere they couldn't follow. Again piece started coming together, and eventually one surfaced that both made sense and didn't at the same time. Raine glanced up at Trevor and stared. "If you're doing what I think you're doing, I don't know whether to applaud it for its creativity or reprimand you for its stupidity."