Restructuring the Vultures hadn’t been an easy task, but with the death of his dear friend, he’d felt some changes were in order to the organisation. He wanted the group to have more autonomy, more say in the day to day. He didn’t want to be the only guy at the top making decisions, mainly because he’d rather be out in the streets doing jobs.
With the restructuring and partnering with a certain, yet to be named backer, and the plans to continue going after the Crows who refused to reform, he had a lot on his plate. Today’s such task was convincing a certain freelancer that he’d used in the past to finally throw down with the group officially.
He went to their usual tavern meeting spot and took a seat at a corner table in the back where he could see anyone entering the establishment by either entrance with ease and ordered a pint. Then he sat back and waited for Javik to appear.
Javik walked through the door of the tavern, spying his old accomplice in the corner. He quickly sat down after counting the number of patrons in the place, eyeing the entrances and exits as well. No telling when the Crows were going to catch up to him, so it was best to be on his guard. As he sat before his former partner, he ordered a brandy. As he took a quick swig of the potent alcohol, he looked Zevran in the eyes. Javik knew what this meeting was about, and he wasn't sure if he was even ready for it. He'd known of the Vultures for some time now, and while at one point he would have been more than willing to join the fight against the Crows, nowadays he was simply trying to pay the bills. Just a simple man, trying to make his way in the world. After a brief pause, he held out his hand for a handshake. It's good to see you again, old friend. It's been a while since we've met. How're things in yer neck of the woods?
Javik laid back in his seat as he took his beanie off and put it in his pocket, the candlelight reflecting off his bald head. He had thought long and hard about this meeting, and now it was Zevran's chance to sell him on it. Today might just be the day that Javik was willing to join this group of mercenaries and assassins. He still wanted revenge against the Crows for outing him the way they did. Sooner or later, the Crows were going to pay him a visit once they caught up to him. Maybe, just maybe, it was high time that Javik took the fight to them instead. Show them who's really in charge.
Zevran took a moment to study his old comrade, his gaze softening as a ghost of a smile danced upon his lips. Javik, my friend, it truly has been an age since we last crossed paths. Life, as it tends to do, has been a whirlwind of activity and responsibility. We've been scheming and strategizing, laying the groundwork for something grand. And, my dear Javik, I have the utmost confidence that you would seamlessly integrate into our plans and play an instrumental role.
Zevran trusted Javik, in both the man and his skills, but what made him the most appealing was his beef with the Crows. Something that aligned him perfectly with the Vultures and why Zevran had used the man in the past when he’d needed to outsource some jobs. Zevran dreamt of a world where the Crows were a respectable assassin organisation, one that didn’t recruit children against their will and treat them as slave labour to be indoctrinated. That meant taking out any house within the Crows that weren’t willing to change their ways.
Javik listened intensely to his friend's words. It was indeed a recruitment attempt, and for once, Javik was willing to oblige. Alright, Zevran, I trust you. Consider me interested. The Crows have been on my arse for far too long now, it's time for some payback. What'd'ya have in mind for this grand scheme? Javik took another shot of his alcohol. It had been years since he'd last taken the fight to the Crows. He'd gotten so used to running as far as the wind would take him after House Occulara was systematically eliminated down to the last man, woman and child. He was the last remnant of a once great family of professional assassins. Perhaps he'd need not be the last, though. Perhaps he could start anew, start a family again, and bring House Occulara to greatness. Or become a nameless martyr in the process.
Just one question. I take it you want to restructure the Crows? Javik left out the other part of his question, but he was sure Zevran could see it in his eyes. And not cut them down to the last baby, like they did my House?. The question in his head was filled with venom. He had hatred for the Crows that far outweighed any sense of logic or sound reasoning. He had a vendetta, and it would take a lot for Zevran to convince him to let go of his hate and truly reorganize the Crows rather than put them to extinction like they did his family. If anything, Javik saw the Vultures as the replacement the Crows needed. The Crows were antique and outdated. The Vultures were new, fresh, just what the market needed. Javik raised an eyebrow at Zevran as he awaited his answer.
Zevran simply nodded, his eyes reflecting the seriousness of the situation. That's the plan, Javik. We're not about mindless violence. We're about change. A change that the Crows desperately need. After all, the world would always need assassins, but the Crows sat up on their high horses, feeling untouchable, and because of that felt like they could get away with anything they wanted at any time.
I rather enjoy being an assassin, but the Crows policies, how they ‘recruit’, how they operate like they’re untouchable, they need to be put in their place and I have a new, benefactor who feels the same way I do and has decided to put their weight behind the Vultures. Zevran did his best to explain, he wasn’t quite prepared to reveal who Judgement was, only that they it meant he needed to up recruitment to the cause and get all their pieces in place.
