[Cheapside] Asche's Headquarters

[Asche Rjindael]

Asche Rjindael's Headquarters

The Headquarters was in fact a small hovel at the far end of an alley between two rather nondescript structures. Once, it was the meeting place of a "noble band of adventurers" (or so most of them thought). Now, it was now the home of the former leader of that group of young boys and girls.

Outside, a simple sign stood, proclaiming:

Ashford Reinell
Detective Services

The fact that the headquarters was located quite away from normal traveler fare meant that there not much customers dropping by, save the few who knew him or were referred. Regardless, Asche found comfort in that fact, knowing that he was still a rookie.

His was a simple home, although the evidences of improvised construction were clear: the floor and the foundations were of dull, gray stone, while the roof and the walls were made of wood, patched in every other place through out the years that it stood. There were no windows, however. The only other exit, facing the alley and the street ajar was blocked by a movable piece of wood. Asche made a secret exit from the back room as well, going so far as digging up the wall past his house leading towards the other side of the alley.

It was also a tribute to old memories, housing old, exaggerated drawings of their merry band in scavenged picture frames and the other proofs of their times together.

There was actually only two rooms: the first room came upon entering the house and contained a large desk and some old wooden chairs for meetings, while the back room contained the kitchen, his bed, and a cabinet for his few things.

[Arken Lancaster]

TS: 2nd Cycle of Immanis, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post-Fractum

It had been awhile since his last visit to this small hovel. Ducking his head underneath the low ceiling, the young noble wondered if it had indeed been a wise decision to have come for a visit, without warning or knocking.

The place brought back memories. Countless hours spent playing games. The many picture frames that hung on the wooden walls seemed unusually clean, perhaps Asche was a much more sentimental creature than he thought. Grinning at the fond memories he had, he dug out a small pink envelope from his pockets and wondered if his friend could help him out of his little predicament.

He had known Asche, and even if their exploits had been mostly childs play, there was undoubtedly genius behind that halfling's bright eyes. Perhaps the rookie self-styled detective could help him, at least he prayed that he would.

[Asche Rjindael]

Second Cycle of Immanis, Era XIV Post Fractum - Arken Lancaster

Asche had just come out of the bath, and, expecting no one inside his home, entered the main room proudly dressed only in a towel. It was only when he reached for the clothes that hung lazily on a chair that he noticed his visitor.

"Arken?" he thought aloud. "Ah, it's you! Been a while, eh?"

He noticed his friend looking around at the pictures hung on the wall, and smiled. "You can take one of those home with you if you like. Let me get dressed and I'll be right out."

Asche headed back into the inner room and put on his pants and boots first so that he could be there for his visitor sooner. Still struggling with his unbuttoned shirt, he entered the main room once again, and offered his friend a seat.

"So, what brings you here buddy?"

[Arken Lancaster]

"I'm looking for a woman and I your help in finding her." said the young noble with an air or seriousness. "The woman in question is an Isabella Beaumont, my late lover's sister."

Arken folded the sleeves on his right hand and showed his friend the Beaumont Heirloom, the ring with their family crest. "This is their family crest, Isabella is no doubt hiding in the Grand District - that much I am certain of, however I have some responsibilities that are preventing me from learning more about her whereabouts."

With that said, the young Lancaster boy sighed and collapsed into an empty chair. "So, how much would you charge me for this job?"

[Asche Rjindael]

"Charge? Are you kidding me? This is for old time's sake," said Asche, amused.

He scratched the back of his head at his friend's request. It must be something really serious, he thought. Sitting down across Arken, he took Arken's hand and placed it on the table, where the light from the small window above would let him examine the ring better.

"Noble business, eh? Why don't you just go straight to her home? If she's a noble from a family worth its salt then most likely they'd have a mansion or somesuch in the city."

Unless, of course, there were some circumstances that he still did not know about. Late lover's sister - the words echoed in his head. "Hm. Why do you want to seek her out?"

I suppose I'll have to delay my trip to the Constabulary for a while, he thought.

[Arken Lancaster]

In all honesty Arken had already been expecting Asche to turn down his offer of paying him, regardless the young noble really did want to give something in exchange for this favor of his.

"Even if this was for old time's sake it still wouldn't feel right if I didn't at least give you something in exchange..." the young noble hesitated, in his mind he was trying to remember anything that might pique the halfling's interest. "of course the expenses you'll be spending for the investigation will be on me but, are you sure I can't tempt you with anything else? "

When his friend got straight to the point, he knew that he would have to tell Asche everything. He couldn't afford on skimping out on details or the halfling would have a difficult time tracing the elusive Beaumont daughter.

"I have unfinished business with the woman." Arken said, his eyes still playing on the ring on his finger. "You see, I made a promise to my lover and as it stands, her sister is the only one willing to help me fulfill my promise - for a price."

Arken hesitated for a moment as he glanced at his friend's reactions, wondering how the halfling was taking to his story. He always thought that before Asche would take up a case, the halfling had to be interested enough. Seeing that Asche was still listening, he concluded that the halfling still was so he continued. "Of course you know me well enough Asche, I always keep my promises. As for Isabella, I think it wont be too long before I can provide her with what she wants, now my problem here is that I don't know where she is and I don't have that many leads."

[Asche Rjindael]

Originally Posted by Arken Lancaster

In all honesty Arken had already been expecting Asche to turn down his offer of paying him, regardless the young noble really did want to give something in exchange for this favor of his.

"Even if this was for old time's sake it still wouldn't feel right if I didn't at least give you something in exchange..." the young noble hesitated, in his mind he was trying to remember anything that might pique the halfling's interest. "of course the expenses you'll be spending for the investigation will be on me but, are you sure I can't tempt you with anything else? "

Asche smiled, crossing his arms and looking towards the ceiling, closing his eyes in thought. After a few seconds, he feigned understanding and finally spoke.

"Honestly, I don't require much at the moment. You know me - I live simply. What I do need is information, though. One day, perhaps you can introduce me to your contacts or inform me of anything strange you come across."

Pleased, Asche nodded at Arken and extended his hand. "That's fair, I believe?"

Originally Posted by Arken Lancaster

When his friend got straight to the point, he knew that he would have to tell Asche everything. He couldn't afford on skimping out on details or the halfling would have a difficult time tracing the elusive Beaumont daughter.

"I have unfinished business with the woman." Arken said, his eyes still playing on the ring on his finger. "You see, I made a promise to my lover and as it stands, her sister is the only one willing to help me fulfill my promise - for a price."

Although his friend's reply was still pretty vague, Asche decided not to inquire further for now. He looked at him intently and nodded, urging him to continue.

Originally Posted by Arken Lancaster

Arken hesitated for a moment as he glanced at his friend's reactions, wondering how the halfling was taking to his story. He always thought that before Asche would take up a case, the halfling had to be interested enough. Seeing that Asche was still listening, he concluded that the halfling still was so he continued. "Of course you know me well enough Asche, I always keep my promises. As for Isabella, I think it wont be too long before I can provide her with what she wants, now my problem here is that I don't know where she is and I don't have that many leads."

"Of course. Isabella Beaumont, eh? Could you describe her for me? Or at least, your late lover, if you haven't seen Isabella yet." Asche asked, taking out his notebook and pen as he did.