Dealing with the Devils [Harry]

[Gregoire]

(12 years before Earthfall).

The damp aroma of straw and mud rose from the warm ground of the marketplace. Greg shouldered his way through a throng of people, grunting as someone gave him a hard shove. The marketplace was a place that Greg used to frequent as a kid with a group of his friends. It was usually packed full of planet-visiting tourists, eagerly wasting their money on the various booths set up along the street. There hadn't been enough money to pave the place, so the rain tended to turn it muddy, and straw had to be scattered to absorb the dank smells and wetness. The market itself was nestled in one of the dingier parts of the district, hovering on the fringes near the thick wilderness. Most residents of the planet tended to avoid this place--it was infested with low-lifes and greedy merchants.

Greg eyed some of the stalls as he strolled through, one finger hooked in the belt loop of his jeans. He was looking for somebody in particular, a man he had dealt with only a couple times before. They had arranged to meet in the marketplace, and now it was just a matter of finding him. Side-stepping a running kid, Greg slowed to a stop. There were a lot of gimmicky shows and tourist traps here, and most of the large crowds were located around them. One was a pit that had been dug down in the moist earth, then surrounded with heavy concrete barriers. A giant crowd was amassing around its edges, shouting, their bodies leaning forward and hands waving wildly. The crowd wavered back and forth along the barriers, cries rising from their throats at something happening below.

Greg wouldn't have stopped if he hadn't noticed Harry across the pit, waving some money in the air and leaning hard against the concrete. He made his way over to Harry, picking a path through the crowd. Just as he neared the man, the entire crowd let out a loud roar and pushed forward. Greg was immediately squished between a couple people, gasping for breath, before he thrust them away. "Harry!" The noise around him swallowed the name immediately, and he squeezed himself closer, feeling the cold concrete barrier press against his hip. Turning his head slightly, he spared a glance down into the pit. A couple animals were down there, caked with mud and blood. They were circling each other, fangs and claws bared. Ah, a fighting pit.

Shoving a couple people out of the way, he finally neared Harry. Greg gave him a friendly shove on the shoulder, getting his attention from the pit. "Harry, you bastard! I finally found you. How are you?"

[Bartelby]

Harry barely noticed that his potential buyer had arrived. His side was loosing! "Nooo!" he yelled, hands in the air. He let them drop as the other animal scored the killing blow. This is why he shouldn't gamble. He never seemed to win.

Now that the bulk of the excitement was over, Harry turned to face Greg. Harry let out a breath of air, smiling. "You made it," he said, stating the obvious. Harry looked back and forth, then suggested they head out of the muddy street. He didn't like doing business in the middle of a crowd. Especially the type of business he figured he would be doing. He slung an arm over Greg's shoulder and began leading the way.

"So tell me. To what pleasure do I owe this visit? Something tells me you didn't arrange this meeting so you could come to my nephew's birthday party." Harry didn't even have a nephew (that he was aware of) but then again, he was just making idle chatter. He removed his arm and folded them across his chest, then took a step back so he could stand face to face with the guy. He wanted to see the face of the man he hoped to squeeze money out of.

[Gregoire]

The crowd let out one last breath, shouting a cry as one of the animals in the pit was killed. Almost like a spell had broken over them all, the mob broke into the loud murmurs of people collecting bets and bragging to each other. Greg leaned over to give another disinterested glance down into the pit, at the bright red blood splashed against the muddy surfaces, then back to Harry. A smirk was perched on his lips, hearing Harry's yell. "Can't win 'em all, yeh?"

Harry drew them both away as a couple men jumped down into the pit, poised to clean up the mess and cage the other animal. The crowd from the pit was scattering quickly, dissolving into the narrow pathways between stalls. A few wandering souls bumped past the two of them, but Greg didn't pay them any heed. Most people had only ears for themselves, and it wasn't like people here would recognize him. Once they stopped, he leveled his gaze on Harry, straightening, a pleasant smile spread across his lips.

"Yes, well, my friend. I've been hearing from a few birdies here and there that you provide traveling escorts cheap, and I figured you could give me some help. I've a need to go to a small city somewhat north of here." Far enough that he'd need to attach himself to a group to get through the thick wilderness that crammed the spaces between cities. Usually, wealthy men of Greg's caliber wouldn't go slogging through the mud and filth of the marketplace to get this kind of service. Expensive, safer means were available by reputable men in other parts of the city. But it wasn't the only thing Greg was here for.

"Of course, added, I'd like a bit of the extra stuff you've sold me before. Same price, same amount." As he spoke, his tone was firm. He still appeared assured, casual. As much as he craved this stuff, he wasn't going to let Harry know it.

[Bartelby]

Harry laughed jovially. "Ha ha, yes, I have been known to find some cheap travel deals for people. It's one of my many, many skills. However, it is best to keep in mind that there are a lot of factors that go into determining the price. There is distance, safety, supplies, even weather and season can have an effect. But I'm sure we will be able to come to a consensus that we will both be happy with."

"Now, about that other request of yours..." Harry looked around, then lowered his voice. "You still just into that Devil's Crest stuff? 'Cause you know, I know this other guy who has anything you could imagine. He's got flame puffs, slim-slimes, tube gougers, opaleye drops, hydroepics, granny blasters, vectrocities, fuzzy eagles, oilys, gibberbusters, fortune 7s, weavers, rebooters, spine hairs, chilly nillys, lump-nuggets, rancid bliss, spotted patches, gravelbenders, and worm knuckles. I may have forgot a couple, but he's got 'em if you want 'em." Harry watched Greg with raised eyebrows, waiting to see if he was interested.

[Gregoire]

Harry's laugh brought a light smile to Greg's face. "Very good. I understand, and I understand that the price won't affect the quality, yeh?" It was all too easy to get swindled by men of Harry's ilk, and Greg was keeping on his toes.

At that point Harry launched into a list of presumably illegal substances, and Greg scratched a finger against the stubble on his chin, listening intently. Briefly his gaze rested on an oblivious passer-by, then flicked back to Harry as he finished. "As much as I appreciate the offer, friend, I think I'll stick with what works. Same amount, same price. Tacked onto the price of what we hash out here for the traveling group." The drug had a habit of being really addictive, and Greg was craving it more and more as they talked about it. He folded his arms across his chest.

"As for the traveling arrangements. The city I'm visiting is Jebarre, just up north. I'm sure you've heard of it." And if he hadn't, the easier for Greg to haggle the price. "I'm offering one hundred, along with the price of the Devil's Crest. Does that sound reasonable?" Comparatively, it was a low offer. Greg was used to paying much more for these kinds of trips, but Harry wouldn't know that--or even that Greg knew general price ranges.

[Bartelby]

Harry shrugged then stuffed his hands into his pockets after Greg opted not to try any new substances. Harry figured as much, but it was worth a shot. He got a little extra spending cash for each 'referral' he managed to send to the dealer he knew. He would have to settle for what he could get from this guy. Speaking of getting stuff from this guy...

"One hundred? Sure, one hundred would be good if you wanted to travel with a pack of thieving beggars TO SESTUSREE. But if you want to make all the way to Jebarre, with safe company, it will cost at least twice that much." Harry knew that people always tried to haggle by starting off with a low price, just as he assumed Greg knew the sellers always started with a price that was too much.

"I suppose we should figure out some of the finer details while we are at it as well. You have any objections about who you travel with? Or are you expecting to make the trip alone? And how soon do you need all of this set up by? It will take at least a couple hours if you are really lucky, or a couple weeks if you're not." Harry leaned against a post as he waited for Greg's reply.

[Gregoire]

Greg's face remained smooth as glass, the edge of his lip propped upwards in a faded smile. "Twice the price, you say." He paused, as if he was mulling the price over, but there wasn't any way he'd accept it. Harry's offer was a bit outlandish, especially considering this wasn't the ideal place to be purchasing a travel group. It wasn't surprising, yet Greg still felt a twist of annoyance in his gut. An eyebrow arched up at Harry's questions.

"No standing objections as of yet, provided that you don't tag along some of your buddies with stuff to sell. I don't think I'd appreciate my ear talked off the entire time." Greg flashed a smirk. He was mostly referring to the man--and men like him--that Harry had mentioned before. News always spread fast like a disease around here, and there was always the chance that wandering eyes could spot Greg traveling around with drug dealers. Such things tended to hurt business.

"As for time. I have another week or so before I need this trip. Will that be a problem?" Another tourist pushed past, and this time the person turned half-way to mumble out an excuse at Greg. He needed to wrap this up, he couldn't stand here long and barter with Harry without the fear that someone would eventually look long enough at him.

Then he had an idea. Greg straightened his shoulders and smoothed a flat hand down the front of his shirt. "How about this, Harry. I've been scouring the markets over at the higher districts. Some merchant haggled some priceless jewelry off this guy on Glace Au Four. It happens to be in my hands, now." He paused, considering whether he should go on or not. "I'll make you a deal. I'll part with this jewelry as payment for the trip and Devil's Crest. I assure you, it will more than cover both."

[Bartelby]

"I have a week, eh? Well that should give me plenty of time to find what you are looking for. Unless, of course, I have terribly rotten luck. And don't worry, I'll find you some good people to travel with. Not everyone enjoys being blessed with the company of back-ally merchants like me." Harry gave a wide grin and proded his elbow jokingly.

It was starting to sound like they were finalizing their deal when Greg brought out the jewelry. "I'm not a pawn shop. I don't take..." Harry gave the piece of jewelry a contemplative sideways glance. It looked expensive. well worth the price.

"I'll tell you what. I don't usually do this, but I'll cut you a deal. Bring that back next week, and I'll trade you your trip for it. But, regretably, I'll have to make you pay for your DC up front. With straight up spades. But I can reimburse half of it at the time I recive that fine piece of craftsmanship you got there. What do you say?"

[Gregoire]

Greg watched Harry's eyes stick to the jewelry he had out, and smiled. He clapped his hands together once, nodding. "Sounds.. great to me. Deal." He was a bit miffed about having to pay upfront for the Devil's Crest, but it was worth it. Especially considering how long it had been since he'd had it. Trying not to sigh, he dug around in his pockets and pulled out some spades. His eyes darted around the crowd a moment, tucking his arms and the spades closer to his body, and shifted through them until he found the right amount. Then he held it out for Harry to grab, his other hand extended out to shake on their deal. This should work out well in his favor.

***

"Wha.. wha..?" A sudden bump in the road roused Greg from his sleep, and he shifted against the wall he was sleeping against. A plump woman sitting across from him, holding a child wrapped in cloth, turned her head slightly to look sourly at him. Rubbing his face, he pushed himself upwards with one hand and settled into a sitting position.

The woman across the aisle was still glaring at him, shifting the child closer to herself. His eyebrows furrowed, but he ignored her, twisting around to look out one of the windows of the transport vehicle. Through the glare of the interior lights, Greg could make out the dense jungle scenery flashing past. He pressed the palms of his hands against his eyes, yawning widely. Then they dropped to his lap, and he looked to the man next to him. Leaning closer, he asked, "How long have we been going?" The man shrugged his shoulders, and Greg leaned back. The trip to Jebarre wasn't extremely far, but it was still a ways. Enough to be nervous about.

[Bartelby]

It was a fake! The jewelry Bartelby had accepted as payment was a fake! A well made fake, but fake nonetheless. "How could I have been so foolish?" Harry asked himself. "Why didn't I get it appraised before I took it? Stupid, stupid, stupid." Now he was out at least a thousand spades, all thanks to that Greg guy.

"He's gonna pay, that's for sure." Harry went to a back room in his tiny house and began rummaging through an old desk. When he finally found the number he was looking for, he called it up without even stopping to consider what he was about to do.

"Hey, is this Fang? ... Well get him on the phone. I got some business for him." After a bit of muffled speech, a new voice was talking to him. "It's Harry, Harry Tique. So Fang, how would you like to know the location of some people headed your way? Off the records people. ... That's what I figured." He went on to discuss the exact details with Fang.

[Gregoire]

The transport vehicle slowed to a stop, the whole thing shuddering. The intercom crackled for a second before a voice materialized out of the static. "I apologize for the inconvenience, but we've been forced to stop at the small town of Nemal to refuel and repair some minor leakage. Thank you for your patience, and we should get started once again within the next hour. Feel free to get out and stretch your legs. Thank you." The intercom sighed as it turned off, and the side doors of the vehicle hissed as they unlocked and popped open. The small group of travelers all unbuckled themselves, shuffling their feet and stretching limbs as they emerged, blinking, out of the vehicle.

Greg watched them all leave, standing up once the last person had exited the vehicle. Sighing, he rested his head against the wall before standing up from his place. This was what he got for paying cheap for a travel group. Stranded out in the middle of a Phaestus jungle, in some backwater village for an hour as he waited for some half-drunk driver to get the transport vehicle repaired. Greg swung himself out of the transport door, stepping down onto the moist earth. The jungle above crowded in close, washing the sweet fragrance of its flora over the small cleared space before him. The village meshed between old and new; much of the old buildings looked slightly run-down, infested with vines and invasive plants. Other buildings displayed the same type of architecture one would find in any city on Phaestus, and looked freshly built. The middle of the village was paved, and crowded with the inhabitants. If Greg wasn't in such a rush to get to Jebarre, the place might've looked beautiful and serene to him.

The other travelers had already wandered down into the village heart, inspecting the various stores and stands that were lined along the only street. Greg didn't really bother following suit, instead leaning against the side of the transport vehicle. Digging around his pockets, he pulled out a stick of Devil's Crest with a quiet "aha!" and stuck it between his lips. Once lit, the stick gave off the faint, pleasant aroma of cinnamon mixed with a much richer, darker scent. Greg inhaled a deep breath of the drug, feeling the familiar sting in his lungs and mouth. Devil's Crest was highly addictive, and its side-effects liked to vary from mild to extreme. It turned your lungs black and was rumored to cause blindness if used too long. At some points, it even caused hallucinations. It was what some people liked to call as the 'rich-boy drug'--mostly because the usually young, wealthy males on Phaestus liked to smoke it when they got their hands on it. It was a habit Greg had started as a young kid, and a habit he'd failed to break ever since.

Leaning his head back against the slick outside of the transport vehicle, Greg closed his eyes. The gentle drone of voices from the village swirled together with the steady hum of life in the jungle surrounding them. It was just enough noise to drown out the sound of the approaching vehicles, deeper in the jungle.

[Bartelby]

Harry looked at his watch. Fang's people should be just about to where Greg was by now. Meanwhile, Harry was lounging back in a beat up old recliner, sipping on a fizzy drink. Greg deserved what he got, right? There was no need for Harry to worry himself. Right?

Another minute ticked by and Harry got a sinking feeling in his stomach. He had become a sellout. Sure, Greg definitely had it coming, but that didn't change the fact that Harry became a sellout. "This won't be good for business," he said to himself. The words rung emptily in the small apartment. "Maybe it's time for a change of scenery. Again." Harry wasn't too keen on the idea of leaving again, but figured it would be for the best. Besides, if Fang failed to pull through, Greg may come back looking for blood.