Shady Dealings Part 4

Vine Street, Delmar City

In a shopping district located in The Underground is a store that's not as glamorous as many others that have always somehow manage to catch a customer's eye from afar. But what it lacked in physical appeal it made up for in absolutely nothing else. The store was as close to a dump as a person could get without it literally being a dump.

Trash and random junk was randomly thrown everywhere while insects and rodents actively made their presence known by hissing, snarling like a rabid dog, and walking over the feet of everyone that went to that shop. Anyone that came there was considered a trespasser to those things. They claimed that land years ago and that clam still held strong.

Corvo's Shop was a true gem when Desmond found the place he was flabbergast by what he was seeing. To live or even work in such a place is hard to imagine and that's coming from someone who's currently living in a sewer. The owner of the shop could have given the most obsessive hoarders a run for their money. As filthy as it was outside it somehow got dirtier the further he went in. Desmond had to dig himself a path out of a sea junk just to get to the shop's entrance. During Desmond's travel to the front door, he stumbled upon a few other saps that had to go through the same thing as him to get the information they needed.

Those people pointed him in the right direction allowing him to reach the front door easier. When Desmond finally arrived at the entrance he heard the screams of an unlucky person that encroached too far into the layer of one of the beasts that lie beneath the trash. Desmond could do nothing for that person he was too far away. Desmond could only pray for that person's soul and hope that he himself wouldn't become part of the trash on his journey back.

Once Desmond stepped into the filth shack that had Corvo's sign up top Desmond was presented with a different scene. The shop was clean and possessed many antique items that filled the shelves and hung from the ceiling. The shop gave off a scholarly aura that was a completely unexpected vibe someone would expect to see when they first came in. The shop was so charming and well decorated Desmond felt as though it almost made up for the trip there.

Desmond walked around a bit till a man at the counter caught his eye. The man looked to be in his 40s, he was well groomed, had a small beard but no mustache, a monocle in his right, and a fancy suit. If Desmond saw him on the streets he could only assume the man live a good life in high society. Now Desmond wasn't sure what to think about the man because when Desmond inspected him he could tell that he was an advanced rank apprentice but as Desmond inspected closer Desmond could see that the energy circulating through him didn't move properly. Desmond quickly figured out that was because the man was severely injured bringing his cultivation journey to an end.

As Desmond was inspecting the man the shop keeper said to Desmond, "welcome to Corvo's Shop, I'm Corvo the owner of this beautiful antique establishment and their person who you need to call if there's anything you need".

Corvo spoke like a gentleman but with a playful and cheerful attitude, anyone who spoke with him would instantly know how outgoing he was. Desmond knows that once Corvo finished introducing himself that he should immediately start speaking the secret code because if he says it any other time after Corvo won't accept it and just play dumb.

"Ohh, that's nice to hear then if you don't mind me asking do you have any refreshments the trip here was tiring".

"Of course we do sir, now tell me what you would like water, juice, or maybe a little liquor would satisfy your thirst".

"None of that I would like tea if you have it".

"Excellency choice and what kind of fine china would you like it served in?"

"That's far to fancy for me I've always lived a simple life and think my self no better than any other so serve it in whatever you like even a dirty boot is fine if you have one".

After Desmond and Corvo's exchange of words ended Corvo looked at Desmond a bit differently then politely asked, "are you a member of the purifiers since you know that code I can only assume you are".

"No I'm not I just have a bit of history with them is all so someone kindly pointed me to you and told me what to say".

"That's fine whether you are or not makes no difference my shop serves all parties since you know the code you are given premium service so tell me what would you like".

Desmond was cheering like a little girl inside after pretending to be one guy he was finally able to find an informant that knows a bunch of stuff related to the city's underworld.

"I would like to know the location of a secret gathering where I can buy and trade items. The place must be mid tier, none of the small ones comprised of wannabe losers and none of the high tear one's I know you need an invite to get in".

Corvo's thought about Desmond's request for a bit and then told him that the price was 4 magic crystals. Desmond was stunned by how cheap it was but then he remembers 4 magic crystal was equivalent to 40,000 U.S which is a year's salary for most people. While cheap to Desmond most people's hearts would ache at such a number. Only things related to magic, cultivation, and a few other things are expensive. So its enough for someone who wants to live the life of a mortal but not even close for those who seek to reach the top.

Desmond paid the man his money and then Corvo explained how he could locate what he's searching for through ads in the newspaper. Corvo took out a local newspaper from under the counter and pointed at a normal looking add that showed a gathering was being held tonight in the underground. Desmond was happy there was a meeting tonight because it meant he didn't have to stress himself by out waiting.

Once that was over Corvo asked, "is there anything else I can help you with?"

Desmond only came to know where and when a gathering was being held and didn't care about anything else the shop sold but that didn't mean nothing in the shop caught his eye. While Desmond was talking to Corvo his eyes constantly fell upon a remarkable outfit. A black hooded cloak draped over a leather outfit with many pockets and straps. The boots and gloves looked tough while the design made it look like it was streamlined for speed allowing the wearer to have great maneuverability. It was the coolest rouges outfit Desmond had ever seen. Desmond knew it would be silly to buy something like that yet alone wear it in public but the Weeaboo in him said something different.

"How much for that outfit back there".

Corvo looked behind him and said, "you have a good eye that outfit is a Thomas clint original he based the outfit off of what he originally war during his youth, you know before he decided to become a fashion designer".

"How much".

"Though it is an original its not one of his enchanted works so the price will only be 7 mage stones ($3500 U.S)".

"I'll take it".

Corvo was very delighted someone bought something from his store that wasn't just information.

"You sir are clearly a man of taste, the whole reason I built my shop in a place like this was to weed true connoisseurs from those pompous fakes. In my opinion, if you are willing to dig through even a sea of trash to obtain what you desire then your love for it must be true". Desmond felt that Corvo's word rang true in his heart.

'Love, yes I do love magic'.

As Desmond throught that to himself, Corvo's turned to retrieve the Rouges outfit that Desmond wanted and that's when Desmond saw the moon staring right at him. The whitest ass Desmond had ever seen was jiggling back and forth in front of his face. The entire backside of Corvo's pants was cut off exposing Corvo's rear end.

"Corvo's why are you wearing assless chaps?"

Corvo was wondering what Desmond was talking about until his eyes followed Desmond's gaze.

"Ohh, you're talking about my pants I can see why you're confused but I assure you I'm all right its just a uniform".

"Why is that you're uniform?".

"Why are you asking why I'm surprised everyone doesn't wear these. They're comfortable, let in a nice cool breeze, and its easier to go to the bathroom".

Desmond couldn't believe what he was hearing.

'Whatever injury he has, has clearly done something to his brain'. Desmond thought to himself.

"Just get the outfit I picked".

"Alright, but feel free to keep looking around while I get you that tea".

"What tea?"

"The tea you asked me to serve to you in a dirty boot don't you remember?"

"Wasn't that just a code".

"Only the first half is the code the other was just you actually ordering tea served to you from a dirty boot. I mean come on who comes to a place like this and expects to be served beverages. So do you still want your tea?".

"No, I'm just gonna leave after this".

After that Desmond left Corvo's Shop and hoped he did have to go back anytime soon.

...

A Few Hours later on the same day

In a quiet back street behind a couple of shops seemingly ignored by light three knocks on an old door disturbed that silence. The source of those knocks gained the attention of a man on the other side of the door. He cracked the door open to see who it was. When one of the three figures held up an ad from a piece of newspaper the man didn't say anything to those three he only opened the door wider to let them in.

Once inside they were directed to the only room guests were allowed to enter. The room was wide and it was filled with others who hid their faces as well except for one in particular person with a plain face, long dark hair, and wide dark eyes who those three figures noticed immediately. That person who they saw noticed them too and waved at them with a smile on his face. That person's actions only drew their ire and put them on guard.

"Its Maverick, what's he doing here? Do you guys think this is just a coincidence or is he up to something again"

Linda whispered to Ferrise and her new teammate Gerald who was a lot cooler about seeing Maverick then Ferrise. Ferrise always had to hold back his anger when seeing Maverick.

"Whoever really knows with him lets just ignore him and move on".

Linda and Gerald followed Ferrise's lead and just ignored Maverick. The stayed standing in the furthest corner away from him and away from another person who leaked out a bit of his aura that let people know not to approach him and that person's name was Desmond. Desmond sported his knew rouge uniform that he bought which made him feel like a badass when he wore it.

But what Desmond didn't like about the clothes were how much they were ridding up his ass. Desmond used that feeling and his thoughts about Zane, Seraphine, and Ragnar along with all the other bad things that happened to him to fuel his do not approach attitude that he gently emitted outwards. No one could see Desmond's face or inside his cloak. Desmond stole a bit of Zane's style because despite him being an asshole he was undeniable a badass that had a bunch of style points.

As the time for the trade encroached a woman walked out of a separate room she exuded a dominating aura that befit her rank of a rank 1 mage. Desmond had felt much stronger auras directed at him but against her Desmond could only drawback his own.