Topic: To Cross That Line (Namari x Missylooni)

[Namari]

Arakan leans back as he listens, " well, i think that can be arranged. regretfully the only demons you'd be able to employ are e rank, so no real abilities, and no stronger than a human, but there are plenty of demons that need work and would jump at the chance to work for someone who treats them decently. If we can convince the humans to permit higher ranked demons then i could offer heavy lifters, d rank isn;t much stronger than e rank but i know several c rank that can lift a couple times their body weight with ease. As for money, i know Indigo spoke about their families ability to refine gemstones and metals. if you supplied them with the discards from gem cutting, cracked gems, flawed, and scrap metals, they can refine them to fresh pure forms which can be sold for a much higher price than what was used to make them. i don;t doubt Karim would be happy to work with you, your fame may have tied to your husband to begin with but you're also the one that has made the ability to renegotiate this new contract possible, there's certainly a good possibility you'll become known for that. especially if you permit him to use you as the model for his best items. we'll see how things go, but if humans are half as crazy about what he makes as we think they'll be, he'll be a wealthy spidren before long."

[MissyLooni]

Isabelle listens intently, nodding every so often, "well... maybe after this new contract is signed, and all goes well for the next few months after it'll be easier to negotiate for higher rank demons to cross the gate. For now, I can't leave my neighbor hanging and it seems like getting workers won't be hard then so... I will purchase his land, leave it to naturally exist for a while and either it'll be used for a vineyard or worse case scenario... I'll just keep it safe. There's not many areas in this city that is just woods. Thank you for listening to me. I do appreciate it a lot. And thank you for keeping this under wraps from the boys. I know they mean well but... they would ask questions that I'm not ready for so it's best that they are left out for now."

[Namari]

Arakan nods, " we'll see. i doubt they'll ever permit higher than c rank, but worth a try anyway." He looks at her, " i know how to keep a secret, this is your information to share. im here if you want to talk about it though. you have allies here,"

[MissyLooni]

Isabelle sighs softly, "you're too kind, really. Kindness that I don't feel like I deserve..."

[Namari]

Arakan raises an eyebrow, " oh? and how many humans do you expect would have been willing to trust us with their lives, and not only that, spend what must be a small fortune to try and help us? already life has begun to improve here. it may be small, but fresh produce is rationed to everyone regularly now. and it'll only become more as we get our stride. My family and i are probably the only ones who knew just how bad things were getting and how close we were to losing control. I was training myself to lead my people in war, because while i didn't wish to start it, i would not leave my people to suffer it alone. i estimate we had maybe a year. two if we were lucky. im not worried about that now, not at the moment. that, deserves respect. you've shown far more kindness than i can ever return."

[MissyLooni]

Isabelle shudders a little, "but i..." her eyes water and she looks down, "I am only doing what I feel is right. I know I only married into the Kuroshiba family but I am from a family who has its own sour history. One that I wish not to carry to the next generation..."

[Namari]

Arakan reaches over and gently places a hand under her chin, lifting her head to look at him, " and what you're doing is saving your people and mine from war. I'm not sure what you mean, but you are not your family. And trust me, I have no love for the kuroshiba family either. You're preventing a great deal of bloodshed here. And more than that, you're improving our lives, you aren't doing it to save humans, because they had no idea how close things were. I'd like to keep it that way mind you. But regardless you wanted to help us simply because you can."

[MissyLooni]

Isabelle sniffles a little and nods before wiping her eyes, "um sorry for getting a little emotional. I've been doing my best to hold it in since I'm usually in the public eyes a lot."

[Namari]

Arakan watches her carefully, " you don;t need to apologize. i will not judge you. if you need time out of the public eye, just let me know and we'll get you someplace where you can let it out if that makes you feel better. i know it's not easy keeping an image up."

[MissyLooni]

Isabelle gives a weak chuckle and smiles softly, "yes it is clear to me that if anyone understands what its like having to have to have a front up. Um and honestly just being in your district keeps me out of the public eye so at least there's that."

[Namari]

Arakan nods, " well, for now at least. you'd be welcome to stay here as long as you like. I know at least one Alicanto that would bend over backwards to ensure you're comfortable and safe. But you'd be welcome in my home as well."

[MissyLooni]

Isabelle shakes her head, "as much as I would like to hide somewhere away from my problems it would accomplish nothing. If anything it could potentially create issues that we don't need. Coming here is a nice break but I'll need to go back and continue my duties in my district. Thank you for the offer though. Maybe once things have settled more there will be more opportunities."

[Namari]

Arakan nods, " I did not expect you'd want to stay here, but I figured it may be a nice getaway now and then. There's not much to offer, except that it's away from humans. Regardless. You'd better get some sleep, the couch I think is the last spot open."

[MissyLooni]

Isabelle glances at the couch before humming softly and nodding, "yes I suppose sleep should occur.... thank you for listening to me. I do appreciate it. Hopefully soon this district can rival its counterpart."

[Namari]

Arakan nods, " anytime. we'll see, it's a nice dream, though im not certain we can hope for that much." He leans back in his chair to get comfy for the night.