*It's been days since the defending battle of River's End, all of those that were promised payment to assist the town for personal interests had all returned to the city of Baldur's safely and unscathed. The Blushing Mermaid has several nights of returning faces that filled the loud tavern with drinks and banter. On occasions some new faces looking for a place to hold up for the night , were seen inquiring about the doings of the city . Some questions were given dodgy answers for most the patrons within the tavern didn't like questions without gems or gold to accompany the inquires. Such was the common business in the Mermaid, some left with heavy coin purses, others left with empty ones.
For those that knew and truly understood the culture of the Lower Cities life in the docks, it could be said The Guild seemed please to continue their normal business. Clients met by collecting enforcers that were owed their share of profits for protection. Streets warfs, beggars and Footpads that were paid or employed by The Guild, continues being the many eyes and ears within their territories. A thriving criminal organization that was in no need of heavy recruitment resumes weeding out interested thieves, thugs and contractors for hire. In the long standing history of Baldur's local thieves guild, one never simply joins the "The Fold". They must "earn" an invitation.
Garnet leaned back in her chair, gently rocking with a sly smirk across her face as her eyes looked between the many familiar faces enjoying the celebration. Accompanied by Codex to her right, and her soft spoken guardian Violet to her left, she made small talk with each member of the Family who stopped by her table. Those footpads who had contributed directly to the recent assignment were quietly slipped an additional small pouch of coins for their efforts-- a little something extra for a job well done.
As the night progressed, a rather unexpected addition to the celebration stepped through the doorway of the Blushing Mermaid. Beautiful and alluring, she was dressed far beyond anything normally seen inside the raucous tavern-- causing almost all heads to turn and gawk at her presence. Several nights prior, a deal had been quietly struck for her performance in anticipation of their success. Maybe it was confidence, or perhaps arrogance, but Garnet had already decided in her head that there would be something worth celebrating well before the operation was deemed successfull.
While the Mermaid was not known for its live performances, a makeshift stage had been prepared where the performer took her place, providing hours of entertainment for the tavern. Keeping morale high was a cornerstone to a successful organization after all.
Despite the rough crowd, questionable characters, and particular rowdiness that free drinks tended to bring amongst her scoundrels, men and women alike knew better than to antagonize the guest. Maybe it was Garnet's quiet, unspoken intimidation... or maybe simply an undying devotion and respect for The Guild. Whatever the reason, even the most lawless amongst them managed to 'mind their manners'.
While talks of the recent operations drifted amongst the crowd, there were, after all, still many unanswered questions. Perhaps the choices made that night would someday return to haunt them, or perhaps their consequences would simply disappear into the darkness and become someone elses problem. Either way, Garnet had little desire to dwell upon such things tonight, as she was perfectly content to simply watch it all unfold from the comfort of her chair... for she knew that tomorrow would inevitably bring another problem requiring her attention.
But as long as the coins continued to flow through the Lower City,
and the Baldur's Gate Underground continued to profit,
then everything was: "Business as usual"
