[center][h3][color=8F9779]Cormorant Sanders – The Sleeping Bear's Back Room, Crocus[/color][/h3][/center]

By the time the others arrived, Sanders had already been waiting, seated and with fingers folded into a tent, for ten minutes.  They came in two groups of two, pushing through the heavy curtain that separated the dimly-lit back room of the bar from the cozy main building.  Upon entering, they found the master of Frenzy Plant at the far end of a long table, flanked on either side by an individual standing perfectly at attention.  A more detail-oriented person might have known the names that belonged to those guards: Joakim Fortinbras and Jane Putcher, each clothed in the uniform jacket made iconic only hours ago in the brief but furious free-for-all.  What the newcomers couldn't tell was that both were almost as tired as their General from the journey back to Fiore's capital from the remote town of Belka.  To that end they leaned against the wall at their backs, but allowed no other vestige of exhaustion to seep through.  In this moment, after all, appearances were quintessential.

After arriving, the four individuals seated themselves around the table.  To Sanders' right sat a stern-faced fellow with short, croppy dark green hair and an air of nonchalance—the 'Pirate King', Salem Monroe.  Next to him was a young man with long blonde hair and a flowing forest-green cloak that settled across his broad shoulders.  Frenzy Plant's master knew him to be Belial Grimmond, and the mellow attitude he gave off hid a barb of suspicion.  Across the table, in chairs next to one another, the two masters of Tough Love placed themselves side by side.  Henrik Crane and Morgan de Soto stood taller than average, and their respective years of police work in dangerous inner cities left both uniquely scarred.  Sleek mechanical augmentations dotted their bodies, but something far greater than the ambiance of electricity surrounded them; one could tell at a glance that the albino man and the darkly-complexioned, red-haired woman were madly in love.  Now, however, they regarded Sanders with seriousness.

He began forthwith.  [color=8F9779]”Good afternoon.  I am pleased to introduce myself as Cormorant Sanders, seventy years young, and the humble leader of Frenzy Plant.  I have asked you to join me for lunch here today because, after coming in late this morning and receiving the reports on the Games, I had an idea.”[/color]  He gestured to the table.  Wonderment abounded as everyone discovered that a feast existed where none had before.  The pivotal members of Pirate Lord seemed more amused than impressed, and even the leaders of Tough Love, being nonmagical themselves, were hardly taken aback.  Sanders continued.  [color=8F9779]”Please, help yourself as I speak.  Let us not stand on ceremony.”[/color]

Elbows on the table, he crossed his arms.  A note of confidentiality entered his voice.  [color=8F9779]”So here's the 'scoop'.  The Grand Magic Games draw to a close with no winner, but the crowds know who won in their hearts.  My guild, Frenzy Plant, topped the charts again and again; if not in points, then certainly in drama and style.  Meanwhile...where's all the talk about Pirate Lord and Tough Love?  Aren't people impressed with the little phoenix, Merlina?  Where's all the applause for Evangeline?  It's a shame.  So I wanted to make sure there were no hard feelings.  And it got me to thinking about the Games themselves.  Not a single Jewel of that huge prize is going somewhere, but fame is a prize in and of itself.  Wizards, and even ordinary people seeking employment, are flocking to the biggest, baddest guilds.  Since the start of the Games, I have received...”[/color]  From beneath the table, he produced a small stack of papers, and plopped them on the table.  The guests paused as the documents hit the wood.  [color=8F9779]”Fourteen applications.  Several of them, such as Private Riona, Corporal Rune, and Private Flint, are already part of my guild.  I can only assume they'll continue to roll in, while your guilds, even though you achieved he colossal feat of qualifying for the games, get nothing.  It's just.  Not.  Fair.”[/color]

The General gingerly picked up a fork, pierced an olive sitting on his plate, and ate it.  He took his time chewing, making sure to get every morsel of flavor.  Then he clasped his hands.  [color=8F9779]”So here's my proposition.  Pirate Lord...and Tough Love...shall disappear.  But wait, wait a moment!  Nothing much is changing.  Just that your guilds will be subsumed by Frenzy Plant; you will join us.  Think about it!  Two fledgling guilds, barely enough resources or clients to maintain yourselves, fall to the bottom of the barrel at the Games.  Attending the Games isn't a cheap affair.  The hotel rooms alone...fwah!  I'll bet you were counting on some compensation from the Games for showing up and doing alright.  Alas, the wheel of fate has left you behind...but Frenzy Plant hasn't.  People will not join you or come to you for jobs because they don't know your names, and your skills are unrefined.  You lack organization and discipline.  Enlisting in Frenzy Plant will solve all of your problems.”[/color]

He positioned himself facing the representatives of Pirate Lord.  [color=8F9779]”Consider this, too.  Frenzy Plant is not ignorant to the workings of smaller guilds.  We know your quest: to find the demons that cursed you and end their miserable existences once and for all.  Join us, and your mission is our mission.  When the opportunity presents itself, the full power of Frenzy Plant will stand with you, just as it will for Hyun Sasithom when she decides that it's time to reclaim her kingdom.”[/color]  Sanders gave a slight smile.  It held compassion and understanding—perhaps too much understanding.  He spoke of the secret mission of Pirate Lord as it was only the tip of the iceberg.

Salem noticed this, and grew wary.  After swallowing a piece of beef, he crossed his arms and said, [color=A3C1AD]“Sounds like a pretty great deal, mister.  But what's the catch?  Maybe we don't care about 'organization and discipline'.  Maybe we like being small-time.  We're not unrefined...I can tell you that.  Our business is our own.  What makes you think we want to throw in our lot with a bunch of army stiffs like you?”[/color]  He tossed his fork on the table, and the clink pierced an otherwise dead silence.

Sanders tilted his head slightly, and heaved a deep breath before shrugging.  A moment passed before he replied, his voice oddly calm.  [color=8F9779]”Are you aware of the Frenzy Plant policy on Slayers, Mr. Monroe?[/color]

The silence grew thick, and after a second, the old man continued.  [color=8F9779]”History tells us that Slayers, despite being powerful, are doomed to become what they seek to kill.  Among Slayer magics, Devil Slayers are particularly virulent.  In fact, we find demons as a whole to be especially...repugnant.  We have a demon-possessed boy in our care now.  We hope to free him from his affliction so that we might exterminate the parasite once and for all.  Still, it's a better situation than Devil Slayers.  You can never tell when one's turned wrong.  First it seems as if they have control over themselves, then they start...killing people.”[/color]  A horrified expression appeared on his face.  [color=8F9779]”Eating them.  Expunging the magic from their bodies and feasting on what remains.  The stuff of nightmares.  That is why the Frenzy Plant policy on Slayers is a very...ah, how shoul I put it?  Binary one.”[/color]  The eyes of the two men of Pirate Lord were darker than night.  Sanders rested his head in his hands.  [color=8F9779]”We want what's best for you, gentlemen.  For the world.  That's why we do what we do.  The reward for cooperation is immense.  Steadfast allies, war-forged friends, income, renown, meaning in life, protection, self-betterment...I can't fathom why you'd say no!”[/color]

He leaned back in his chair, wearing a warm smile.  He glanced at everyone present in turn, his sincerity writ upon his wrinkled features.  [color=8F9779]”Look.  This isn't some conspiracy or evil scheme.  I'm not some conniving trickster or double-dealing psychopath.  I'm a man of the law—and an employer offering the best chance of your lifetime: the chance to be a part of the greatest guild in Fiore and beyond, and to do what's right.  If you want to do right by your members, this is the plan for you.”[/color]

Some strategists turned to chess to visualize their battlefields.  To Sanders, the act seemed a bit cliché.  Like a professional poker player, he studied their faces.  Everyone, from their knowledge of Frenzy Plant, could substantiate his promises.  As a guild, and especially as an army, Frenzy Plant lived big.  But both sets of guild representatives had their doubts.  Tough Love's leaders looked unnerved, while the men of Pirate Lord bore the appearances of men balancing guilt, anger, reason, pride, and indeed their futures—all on a mirror's edge.  If Sanders had to describe the situation, he would compare it to someone stacking weights on both sides of a judge's scale.  The balance was almost perfect; the result could go either way.  The slightest addition to either side might cause it to fall.  Frenzy Plant's General had played the odds all his life, but he was not a gambling man.  He never made a bet he couldn't win.  A slight reverberation entered his voice as he played his final card.  [color=8F9779]”I'm an old man, folks.  After my travels, I would like nothing better than an afternoon nap.  So if you wouldn't mind, I would like your decisions now.  It's not binding, so you know.  We'll go over the details later.  All I want is: are you interested?  A simple 'yes' or 'no.'"[/color]

Henrik and Morgan looked at one another.  So did Soren and Belial.  Sanders watched them all.  Tough Love's leaders were the first to look his way with resolution in their eyes.  [b]”Yes,”[/b] Morgan told him.  [b]”We're still a bit confused, but this is too good of a chance to pass up.  To be honest, even if we're a close-knit bunch, we're a bunch of losers.  The Games proved it.  We need some winners to set us straight.”[/b]

Next, Sanders turned his expectant gaze on Salem.  With visible reluctance, the Pirate King gave a nod.  Sanders beamed.  [color=8F9779]”Splendid!  It may be a bit early, but I am glad to be the first one to call you: comrades.  I will look forward getting to know you.  We'll be in touch.”[/color]  He rose, and gave a bow.  The meeting was over.  Accompanied by his subordinates, Sanders moved out into the main area, then toward his room on the second floor.  He stopped in the stairs to observe the backs of his guests as they left the Sleeping Bear.  [i]The house,[/i] he thought, [i]always wins.[/i]