[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/uaU0BqR.png[/img]
[color=#FFDAB9][h3]Seraphina Duval[/h3][/color][/center]
[color=gray][color=#FFDAB9]Location:[/color]Sorian Beach
[color=#FFDAB9]Time:[/color] Morning
[color=#FFDAB9]Mentions:[/color][@Apex Sunburn] Sada Kurau
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Seraphina Duval stood at the edge of the dock, her keen brown eyes narrowing as they focused on a foreign ship. There had been a look about them she had seen thus far—undeniably from distant lands. A calculating smile crept across her lips as she considered the implications.

Beside her, a few lackeys lingered, their expressions a mix of anxiety and anticipation as they awaited her instructions.

[color=#FFDAB9]“ We need to test their capabilities and, more importantly, their weaknesses.”[/color]

She paced slowly along the wooden planks, her heels clicking against the surface. [color=#FFDAB9]“Word from Yola is that their trade has been thriving with pirates not succeeding lately, especially with the recent rise in demand for ‘Harvest of the Sea.’ If we allow their operations to succeed unchecked, they could easily become our competitors, threatening the very foundation of our drug empire.”[/color]

Marvin, another lackey, chimed in, [color=#FFB6C1]“What does this have to do with that ship?”[/color]

[color=#FFDAB9]“From what we've gathered, it seems they've taken pirates captive before, which leads me to believe they’re pirate hunters. Possibly capable ones at that, and they’ve been in Sorian for days now. That alone makes them worth watching.”[/color] Seraphina's her gaze fixed on the ship. [color=#FFDAB9]“However, we still know far too little about them. And that is a vulnerability I won’t tolerate.”[/color]

She paused, her eyes narrowing as a plan formed in her mind. [color=#FFDAB9]“But fortunately, I have someone in mind for this task.”[/color] A cold smile tugged at her lips. [color=#FFDAB9]“A spy—a disposable asset who’s already slated for death. She’s resourceful, sly, and has proven herself useful before. I'll send her to sneak on, gather what intel she can. If she succeeds, we'll know what we’re dealing with. If she fails...”[/color] Seraphina shrugged with casual indifference. [color=#FFDAB9]“Then, we’ll escalate. A mage can be sent to slip through their defenses and see what they’re hiding.”[/color]

The tension was palpable as her lackeys exchanged wary glances. It was always a question of who was next to be sent on a suicide mission. [color=#FFDAB9]“In addition to this, we must leverage our connections with the local pirates. They have been loyal allies to the Black Rose, and their expertise in these waters is invaluable. By engaging with them, we can orchestrate strikes against shipments of ‘Harvest of the Sea’ coming from Yola.”[/color]

[color=#FFB6C1]“And what if they turn on us?”[/color] He asked, his brow furrowed.

[color=#FFDAB9]“They won’t,”[/color] Seraphina replied firmly. [color=#FFDAB9]“Their survival is intertwined with ours. We provide them with opportunities they can't resist, and in return, they’ll help us keep our rivals at bay. If we disrupt Yola’s trade routes, we’ll not only diminish their profits but also send a clear message to any other would-be competitors.”[/color]

She looked out at the port, the bustling activity reflecting her ambition. [color=#FFDAB9]“Yola is a smuggling capital at this point. If we can weaken their hold on the drug trade, we will maintain our dominance over the market.”[/color]

With her final words, Seraphina turned her gaze back to her lackeys, her eyes blazing with determination. [color=#FFDAB9]“I want to know everything about those on that ship. Their capabilities, their intentions, and how they plan to position themselves against us. Failure is not an option, and neither is complacency.”[/color][/color]