Topic: A Matter of Trade

Dib Jaster Aurene

Date: 2010-08-15 10:42 EST
It was still very early on a Sunday morning when Jaster arrived near Minister Starblade's office. He had left his home in New Haven at four thirty, stopped by the office and a warehouse near the Marketplace, and still reached his favorite caf? near the docks before sunrise. He ordered espresso and a croissant with egg and spinach, and read no less than three newspapers in full while he sat in an Adirondack chair and waited.

By no means was our betusked, green-skinned friend idle. People came by to speak with him, and his most consistent visitor was a courier, a young teenager with blue skin, deep red eyes, and two little horns protruding at his hairline. He came in like a bolt, occasionally nicked something from the shop (that was quietly and promptly added to Jaster's tab), exchanged incoming for outgoing mail, and then he was off again.

This continued until Jaster first picked up signs of life at the Minister's office. Then he collected his briefcase, abandoned his newspapers, left a note for his courier, made his way to her door and knocked.

He looked rather orcish, but thinly built with clever, slender fingers and too much intelligence in his eyes for an entire den of orcs (which wasn't saying too much). He wore a silky red shirt, black tie, black slacks and gleaming black shoes, and somehow had managed to cross town on foot without sullying a single article in the ensemble.

Silver Starblade

Date: 2010-08-23 12:45 EST
Rona had just settled behind her desk, still unused to getting up with the dawn, though with each passing morning it was becoming easier. She rather enjoyed rising with the sun and the feeling of a new day. It eased her spirit. That added to the fact she was not so unhappy coming in on a Sunday by request of Silver, who wished to settle a few issues before the week started. It was a nice, calming silence to the office with only the two of them there.

Rona had set the mug of tea on the desk and was shifting through all the mail that had been dropped off the previous night or early this morning when the knock on the doorframe caught her attention. On warm days such as this, she much preferred to leave the door open to invite the sun and ocean breeze into the office. Afterall, it's part of the reason Minister Starblade chose this location.

"May I help you?" She asked, looking curiously at the figure in the doorway. She assumed he was here to see Silver.

"Minister Starblade has just settled in for the morning." Rona offered a smile, waving a hand toward the staircase. Ribbons fluttered from around her wrist as she pointed. "If you head up those stairs to the door directly across from you, you'll find her. And if you hurry, it'll be before she's started working. She's in a much better mood before she starts working." Rona teased in her Romanian accent before returning to the mail.

A quick trek up the stairs to the door marked "Minister of Trade and Commerce" did indeed yield Silver, set behind her desk and shifting a stack of papers from the corner of her desk to be set in front of her. She poked a finger to the button on the computer, watching as it lit up and beeped on. At least Drake had helped her in that aspect. More than one button and she'd probably be lost " or the parts of the computer would be lying on the street outside.

Silver webbed blue eyes rose from her desk as she noted the frame entering the doorway. "Mornin"." She offered with a small smile. "Can I help you with something?"

Dib Jaster Aurene

Date: 2010-08-23 14:41 EST
Jaster greeted Rona with an easy smile and clasped his long hands behind his back as he listened to her. She's in a much better mood before she starts working.

"Aren't we all," the businessman agreed with a wink, and made his way up the stairs to the Minister's office. And at the second greeting he replied with a chipper, "Good morning!"

He crossed the room to offer her his hand. "Dib Jaster Aurene, I take care of things over at DeMuer Exports. Mr. DeMuer and Governor Driscoll wanted me to bring a proposal to your attention." He raised his eyebrows marginally. "Unless this is a bad time?"

He was fairly polite, well-dressed, enthusiastic, but behind that simple facade this man was clever and alert. Not in a soldier's way, but a merchant's way, a different kind of war altogether. He was taking in little details about the office and more importantly about her, painting a picture as he moved forward in the hopes that he would not take a false step.

Silver Starblade

Date: 2010-08-25 14:04 EST
Silver watched the man curiously before her smile widened and she rose from her seat. A tanned, albeit calloused hand met his in a firm shake before she released his grasp and motioned to the two large chairs opposite her.

"Not a bad time at all. Rather, perfect timing." She lowered herself back into the seat before shifting the papers she was looking through to a corner of her desk in a neat stack. She reached down, pulling a drawer open before flipping through a plethora of files.

While she was sorting through her records, wandering eyes could easily take in the nautical feel of the large office. Windows behind her and to the right let in abundant sunshine and showed the docks and sea beyond. Directly to the right out the window, and docked in the port was her own ship - perhaps it was her way of keeping an eye on her livelihood. A three foot tall painted wooden lighthouse rested near the open door, various nautical trinkets lining the shelves, along with a bottle or two of rum and various liquors that had been gifted to the captain. Her desk and the shelves directly behind her were methodically organized with work related materials. Everything had a place.

Silver's fingers paused as she drew a folder had "DeMeur" in flowing blue script written on the tab out of the drawer. "You mentioned a proposal?" She set the file down in front of her before leaning forwad slighty, her arms crossed loosely on the desk.

Dib Jaster Aurene

Date: 2010-08-26 20:58 EST
Jaster was diligent - he did not eyeball the folder for very long, though it wasn't so hard as most of DeMuer's other allies would have found it. The Aurk was a businessman, a trader, and most of the Baron's dark secrets were only a small concern to him.

Most of them, anyway.

"This is a lovely office," Jaster said with a tusked smile, and gestured appreciatively to the model lighthouse with a stack of papers he pulled from his briefcase as he sat. He steepled his long, slender fingers and fixed her with his gaze: other men in his company used turned backs, scenic views, lighting cigarettes and pouring drinks to their advantage, but this one negotiated face to face and eye to eye whenever he could manage it.

"Let me begin by saying that any person's participation in the proposed measures would be completely voluntary. I'm not sure you're familiar with my political works, Minister, but without putting too fine a point on it....I place great value upon a free market, and even greater on individual liberties. Further, I think it would subtract from the value of this whole exercise if any person were forced to observe it against their will, because it deals with slavery."

He opened his hands slowly. His smile was long gone, though he was too much the master of his own expression to let himself frown, not unless he meant to. "I'd like every RhyDinian, and more specifically every RhyDinian consumer, to have the opportunity to know just what it is they're investing their money in. They deserve to know whether or not the goods they buy involve slavery in any way, and businesses deserve the opportunity to show them what they stand for."

Jaster clasped his hands together again, tipped a grin past his tusks at her. "Or not. The idea is for there to be a sort of trade seal, completely voluntary for any business to participate in, that shows they have diligently avoided the use of slave labor. Participating businesses would submit proof of this to a body of people — preferrably run or sanctioned by the Governor's authority — which would then grant or deny permission to use their seal on the goods in question. It empowers consumers to make conscientious purchases should they so choose, and presents a great opportunity to like-minded businesses....all of this without stating how any creature can spend their money nor practice their trade. The seal would place no restrictions, no fees or taxes on slavers, nor give any material incentive to businesses who oppose or avoid the practice.

"It's all about putting the power in the buyer's hands. What he, or she, does with that power..." He winked at her. "...is entirely up to them."

Silver Starblade

Date: 2010-08-30 21:38 EST
Silver watched as Jaster looked about the room, offering a compliment before sitting. "Thank you." She smiled, curiously watching to see what was going to come next. His lead in was quite perplexing, until she heard the last statement.

Slavery.

The bane of her existence, or at least one of the major thorns in her side. Those that knew her best knew she did not tolerate it, whatsoever. If it were not for the years of training that was ingrained in her very pores and now reflexive, the interested look would have twisted into an ugly scowl.

But it didn't. She was a professional at keeping her face unreadable; afterall, it had saved her hide numerous times. She took a moment to reflect on what was said, attempting to piece together everything that came before that dreaded word. It was only after he began speaking again that she realized he had premised his opening by revealing his personal preference for "individual liberties and not forcing against will.

"I'd like every RhyDinian, and more specifically every RhyDinian consumer, to have the opportunity to know just what it is they're investing their money in. They deserve to know whether or not the goods they buy involve slavery in any way, and businesses deserve the opportunity to show them what they stand for."

Again, she stayed silent, having long ago learned that silence usually led to more talking on the visitor's behalf; and Jaster seemed to have his speech well thought out before he had set foot into her office.

Silver sat back in her chair, slenderly muscled arms coming to cross loosely across her chest as she mulled over his proposal.

Putting the power in the buyers" hands was a fantastic idea, and asking companies and businesses to identify if they used slave labor or not was, in her mind, brilliant. But this could open a can of worms and lead to revolt. They could claim unfair business practices. Bias. Even slap the Ministry with lawsuits.

"The proposal you bring to the table is nothing I've heard of in Rhy'din before." She began, allowing a hint of a smile to twitch at the corners of her lips. "A creative, well thought out idea, I'll give you that, but have you thought of all the positives and negatives" What if some businesses choose to identify themselves as using slaves, while others, who do the same, do not' Could that not be considered unfair if those who use the 'slave labor seal", for lack of a better term, lose business, it could bring about lawsuits. If we force the issue, we look at a possible revolt." She paused, dropping her arms to the desk again. Silver would rather get to the point then move around it, and in truth, there was a lot more she was worried about than just the two issues she had mentioned. While this could bring about change, it could also bring about disaster.

"This is indeed a delicate matter. Have you thought out how you wish to introduce this concept to businesses?"

Dib Jaster Aurene

Date: 2010-08-31 18:24 EST
"How could they sue you?" Jaster asked plainly. "I believe very strongly in a free market, but that doesn't prioritize businesses over consumers, merely focuses on every person's right to buy, sell, own and produce, jointly or independently. Businesses have no special right to a consumers' ignorance over goods said businesses do not even produce, nor control over other businesses sharing their own information....and it doesn't matter if they perceive that their sales are hurt by any of this knowledge. If an elected body decides to evaluate evidence volunteered by companies and award a seal signifying nothing more than the results of their own assessment, there is absolutely no reason for lawsuits on the behalf of non-participants in the program. Their lack of participation in no way prevents them from bringing their products into this city and attempting to sell them."

He smiled a little, and continued, "Of course there are downsides, and we have given them a lot of thought. This will likely disenfranchise the slaving community, and even though the proposed seal would deny them any legal or moral leg to stand on against it, that doesn't stop them from resenting it. But as for a revolt....just how many slavers does this city hold, and how much popular support do they enjoy' For starters this is a very moderate measure....if anything, I believe it would encourage that community to respond in kind, step out of the dark and be open with their practices in an effort to win back the heart and mind of the RhyDinian consumer.

"As for putting this out there....I was thinking official announcements, and perhaps hosting something in the style of a 'town hall' meeting to field questions from business owners and anyone else who wants to know more. Make the announcements, let the press carry it, establish the body you wish to analyze this evidence, and let the businesses come to you."

He began to offer over notes and things for her perusal, information on this project and a few more specific ideas about organizational structure and the like — the lesser points. "Of course....I can personally guarantee no less than seven major businesses' participation in this project, not counting others I feel confident would get involved of their own accord."

And then his smile took on a bit of a turn. "Granted, if we are rebuffed from government....we will seek alternatives. Forming a trade guild seems to be our second best option, but one I would personally prefer to avoid." He shook his head slightly. "I see no reason to compete with our Governor's Ministry of Trade if it can be avoided."

Somehow, throughout these wiles, throughout this discussion, Mr. Aurene managed never to give very much of his own feelings on the issue of slavery. The only hint he had dropped besides the proposal itself was that he seemed perfectly willing to work around or against a government body to achieve his aims.

Silver Starblade

Date: 2010-09-02 14:36 EST
"Perhaps I did not come across as clearly as I wished." Silver paused, realizing that the man knew more about the inner workings of the government than she had initially thought, and she pointedly decided to ignore the comment about going elsewhere if rebuffed. "Slavery here in Rhy'din, as you're aware is not illegal, or not even viewed as problematic by a majority of the population. Identifying goods produced with slave labor through the creation of an independent review committee seems counterproductive to sound fiscal policy. What I mean is, some might view it as wasting government, and hence taxpayer, money to excoriate something that isn't illegal and possibly, that most people don't care about.

If companies that use slave labor can't find a good market in Rhydin, there are several other markets eager for their business. Rhydin's economy might not be able to bear the loss. There is a lot to consider with this proposal."

She flattened her hands on her desk, leaning her arms lightly on the desktop. "As for problems, you said yourself that the slaving community could come to resent the seal. As for a revolt, you do not think that businesses who utilize slave labor might speak out against this" " Silver shook her head, her fingers tapping lightly on the top of her desk before they fell silent again. "To address your question as to how many slavers and slaves this city holds, there is a good population of them, and if any feel threatened, they could come together to protest this move or petition the government. Do not discredit a percent of the population based on their numbers " they are still a part of this city." Silver's gaze slid from Jaster to drop to the notes he had pushed across the table. She quickly scanned what she could in the few silent moments.

What is his purpose behind presenting this policy' If it's to bring slavery into debate for social and legal repeal, certainly there are better and more direct ways to do it than through a demarcation that only impinges upon trade. Social "legislation" through financial repercussions is common, but she wasn't sure that's what he is attempting. Does he have some other motivation' Is he, rather than trying to strike a blow against slavery, really trying to pad his own pockets" Does he, or someone he represents, hold a substantial amount of interest in a non-slave labor company that is suffering at the hands of its slave-labor counterpart' Silver slid the papers back into a neat pile before looking up once more at Jaster. "I'm sorry I do not seem more helpful, but I have to think of the welfare of all the city's businesses, regardless of their labor force, as well as the economy as a whole. There needs to be a steady stream of goods that are within the purchasing power of Rhy'din's consumers."

"However, no less than seven businesses already agreeing is a good start. I'll consider leaning favorably toward this proposal." Personally because she'd be interested to see what goods are made with slave labor. However, she mused silently, she was going to need to investigate a bit more on her own to ensure that the motivation behind the push is legit and not being proffered in order to give anyone an unfair advantage in the market.

"I'm going to need some time to look over the information you brought me. Anything immediate you want to bring to my attention' Do you have a specific roll-out plan in mind as well?"

Dib Jaster Aurene

Date: 2010-09-09 20:01 EST
Jaster listened as she responded to his arguments, and though at several points he wished to make a reply, he did not let himself. He had presented his rationale in full, and now she was putting hers on the table....They were certainly counterpoints to be considered, and every so often he nodded from behind his hands.

The end result was hearing that she was leaning favorably, which was a good start. When he lowered his steepled fingers to flatten on the edge of her desk there was a smile on his lips:

"We have reason to believe that a....more significant number than commonly thought may find the issue of slavery on some level problematic, regardless of their view on how the matter is to be approached. However..." He dipped his head. "There is something to be said for the strength and stability of the market. If the seal has a significant impact on RhyDinian consumers and many of our prominent manufacturers are dependent on slave labor, the economic effects in the long-term could go badly for us. At least something for us to be cautious of moving forward, if we move forward with this initiative."

He leaned forward to indicate one of the papers he'd passed along to her, a section in particular. "As for rolling it out, it depends on what we agree to here, how large of a body (we're thinking very small, honestly) we're talking here, and how its members are to be selected. What sort of money they'll need, though as you'll see here," another piece indicated, "operating costs should be fairly low, even in our most expensive projections.

"The clearest piece of rolling this out is the press. Announcements, conferences, debates....let it simmer in the community before putting it into practice, giving yourself a chance to back out if it looks that things will go badly.

Jaster was completely unaware that right now, someone was outside the door. During pauses in their conversation and the relatively brief lapses in his attention, his eyes seemed the most drawn to her small liquor collection, particularly the rum. Something like delight danced in his gaze.

Silver Starblade

Date: 2010-09-23 11:19 EST
Silver listened as he explained his position again. She shuffled the papers into a neat pile, reaching down to withdraw an empty folder from one of the drwars in her desk. The folder was flipped open, the papers slid inside and the whole thing set on the corner of her desk.

She was going to need time to go through the entire stack, from the proposal itself, to the roll out plan, to the budget, and everything else. She would need to get Race and Pslyder in her office as well to discuss how the Ministry was going to go about this.

Silver slid her gaze back to Jaster, reflecting on his point about giving her time to back out. "Backing Out' was not in her vocabulary, ever, but she was learning the hard way that public officials needed to be flexible. She was used to sticking to a decision, come what may, but when she had to consider the entire population, she needed to be able to make changes.

With a quiet sigh, she nodded and leaned back in her chair, arms rising to cross across her chest. "Let me talk to my deputies to come up with a final decision after reviewing your papers and we will get back to you as quickly as possible. Starting small and letting it simmer, as you say, sounds like a good starting point.?

She noticed his eyes shift from her to something else, and she turned to follow his gaze straight to her shelf of liquor. She never mixed business with pleasure; it inevitably led to disaster. However, it was a Sunday and business was done. Mentally she debated the matter before giving in and turning in the chair to grab two small glasses. One drink and she'd make sure that he left so she could finish her work.

Silver set the glasses on the desk before turning around once more to reach for the bottle, pausing as she tipped her head toward the door.

Dib Jaster Aurene

Date: 2010-10-01 10:05 EST
Jaster looked where she looked, over his shoulder at the door; then he turned back to the more interesting item, the rum. Once it was poured he accepted a glass, held it up to the light, and began,

"You know....it makes more difference than you'd think, where you get the sugar or molasses for your rum..."

As they delved into conversation about the liquor they were drinking — how it was made, what made a difference in price and flavor, the overseas liquor trade and the trouble with taxes — someone was very hard at work just outside their door. The young man out there worked silently, and while it was hard to make out just who he was or what he was doing under his baggy robe-like coat and broad-brimmed hat, somehow he was tracing glowing shapes and runes in the air with nothing more than his fingers and a few whispered words.

Minutes into it, the rum talk was interrupted by a rapid series of flashes. The wood creaked, every glass surface in the room looked (for just a short time) like rainbows, and little snowflakes began to materialize inches below the ceiling and drift and spiral down on them.

"No no no, this isn't right at all!" a voice outside wailed. Jaster tried to peer out the window at signs of movement, struggling to make out the figure through the presently multi-colored glass. It was Silas Greyshott, and he was darting back and forth, waving his arms around in a panic, and rapidly rearranging the glowing runes.

Wherever he'd been before, the Minister of Magic had now returned.

Silver Starblade

Date: 2010-10-11 14:24 EST


Silver tipped back a sip of the rum, listening intently to Jaster as he rattled off some facts about the making of rum. A hint of a smile played on her lips as the glass was removed to set down on the desk in front of her. They fell into an easy conversation about liquors and trade, the Minister of Trade relaxing just a bit, though ever mindful of the reason the man in front of her was here.

And then, she thought he had drugged her drink".even though she poured it. The room was filled with a few bright flashes which made her blink, her hands dropping to the arms of her chair as her eyes quickly darted around the office. The windows looked like rainbows, as if she could stick her hand through them and possibly find the pot of gold.

Then it started to snow.

What in the hell was going on' Silver stared up at the ceiling before she quickly looked back toward the door, just as she heard a voice muttering something about it not being right. She glanced at Jaster, arching a single brow before looking at the flapping and panicking man outside her door. She was hesitant to touch anything but someone was messing with her office.

Silver's boots thudded gently across the floor as she crossed the room, and stopped a few inches from the doorway. She wasn't about to touch the glowing runes " who knows what?d happen.

"Can I help you?" She asked, looking out into the hallway and attempting to will the man to calm down. "What exactly are you trying to do to my office??"



Warlock

Date: 2010-10-22 11:08 EST
By this point Jaster could be heard snickering and laughing in the background. And the moment Silver stepped out into the hallway and asked the batty young man her questions, there was another brilliant flash; this one made the wizard's hair stand on end, and might've done the same to her.

The strange colors were sucked right back out of her office, the metaphysical tension significantly relaxed, and a small supply closet just outside her door absorbed the redirected blast of all the displaced magick. The wood bowed and nearly buckled, then sprang back out into a (mostly) restored shape, with runes now seared into several places on the wood. The snow inside her office had lessened, but there was still a slowing trickle falling.

The young man under the wide-brimmed hat offered her a leather-gloved and extremely dusty hand. In fact, all of him was dusty, and some of the dust glittered strangely. He had thick glass goggles on over his eyes, and the endless satchel that dangled at his side was somehow overflowing with books. A few toppled out as he withdrew his hand with an awkward smile, tugged off his gloves, doffed his hat, hung it on his staff for safekeeping, and snapped his goggles back on top of his head.

It was Silas Greyshott, Minister of Magick, and the only parts of him that weren't dust-caked were two broad circles around his eyes, and his arms from mid-forearm down. He offered his hand again. "Ah....hello! Yes, I ah, don't recall if you remember meeting me, or well, how would I recall that, but I don't recall if we met, that is. Er....Silas Greyshott, Minister of Magick, at your service."

He shuffled around in his coat pockets, scattering more dust clouds, and carefully extricated a letter that was in very poor shape now, signed by Silver Starblade's office. "See, I er, got your letter, sorry it took so long, I went on a research trip but it was just for a, uh, a couple of weeks....I think." The letter was dated from the middle of May. He had been gone much longer than he thought.

Silver Starblade

Date: 2010-11-14 12:32 EST
Silver heard the snickering behind her and shot a quick glance over her shoulder at the man sitting at her desk. She quickly redirected her gaze to the young wizard in front of her. She wasn't sure what was going to happen, but she was going to keep an eye on him for the moment.

And a moment was all it took before she felt a woosh of air and watched the strange colors and shapes getting sucked out of her office...." Silver's brows drew together as she planted her hands on her hips, her eyes following the stream of colors and magic to the closet door where it nearly exploded before settling, albeit slightly lopsided.

"Silas Greyshott...." She muttered, nodding at the man's introduction. She vaguely remembered him from the Governor's announcement of all the Ministers. That had been the one and only time she had seen him. Silver honestly thought he'd be...older.

"It's been more than a few weeks." She slid a finger out to point at the date on the letter, her lips twitching slightly to resemble an amused smile. "It's actually been months....but welcome back." Her eyes slid back toward the closet door. "Is my closet okay, or do I need to open the door while armed?"