Down for the Money [Open]

That morning Senpak Chu noticed that the market had been busier than usual. People were huddled up in small groups and seemed to be talking frantically about something. Some were even waving their hands in the air and seemed to tug on their compatriots as if in a hurry. Trying not to attract too much attention, Senpak moved a little closer. In the past days that he had been mingling with the "commoners", he had noticed they didn't seem to be really fond of people with his background. He tried not to take it to personally, but it made dealing with them rather awkward. The butler knew they couldn't help that half of them had never heard of proper etiquette, let alone personal hygiene, but that didn't excuse them from showing a bit of courtesy towards a gentleman down on his luck.

Edging ever closer Senpak noticed the excitement seemed to revolve around a piece of paper hold up by somebody in the middle of the group. Resisting the urge to just grab it, he tried to listen in on their conversation.

"... and they say there are five of them! They say it is a big mystery where they went! The parents have offered a reward for anyone who can bring them some information"!

They had his attention, but now they had his interest. Any form of money would be welcome to Senpak. It had been too long since he ate a well prepared meal. He knew the restaurants here were trying, but it did not compare to the standards the young butler was used to. Unfortunately cooking was not one of his own skills, making complaining about the food futile. He had learned that the hard way.

Senpak decided to wait until the excitement would have quieted down a bit and he could manage to get his hands on one of those pamflets. He still didn't know what exactly they said.

Suddenly Senpak felt a tap on his shoulder, "What was all that commotion about? I missed it." The masked butler turned around to see who had asked the question. At first glance the man looked shabby and could definetly use a hairdresser. Senpak wasn't sure if the headband was a fashion statement or had an actual function. Yet it was clear from his stance and physique that this man knew how to do business. The look on his face suggested that the white mask had surprised the man. It was such a habit to wear it, that the butler had forgotten he had put it on. Senpak unhooked the leather band on the right sight of the mask and took it off to face the man in a friendlier manner. Afterall, he was the first stranger in ages to actually start a conversation.

"It seems it has something to do with the number five. I am still figuring it out." As he answered he noticed the group was about to disperse. "One moment please" he said with a smile to the trenchcoat wearing stranger. Senpak turned around and before the man who had stood in the middle good leave he inquired about the pamflet and much to his own surprise got one pressed into his hands. After kindly thanking the man and only be answered with a shrug and a humph he turned back to his conversation-partner.

"Lets see what it says". He read out loud so the stranger could listen in.

'Missing: Muri Kanjo male age 5, Taketa Soi male age 3, Umi Ba male age 4, Hayane Sunichi female age 3 and Toro Damochi male age 2, were taken from their parental homes. Those who can offer any relevant information to your local guard can expect a reward. '

After going through the names a second time, Senpak came to a startling realization. He knew one of the kids. Not well of course, as a butler you rarely had to deal with the children yourself. But he remembered a slumber party about a year ago where one of the kids, Muri Kanjo, had participated. He didn't remember any particulars outside of the total destruction they had left in their wake and the horrifying bill he had to present to his former master afterwards. He shuddered for a moment at the memory of his masters face that day.

He hold out the pamflet for the stranger. "I am sorry, it seems I have some urgent business to attend to." Senpak felt he at least had to bring some flowers to the parents and a note of encouragement. Not that they would remember who he was, the mask had always ensured that, but he felt it was the decent thing to do. He would probably have to sell one of his shirts now in order to make the bouquet representable, but such was the way of generousity...

"Hold up a second. If this is about the missing children, take me with you."

Senpak turned back to the stranger and decided to take a closer look. This man looked like he had seen his fair share of action. The butler wondered exactly who he was dealing with. The sudden interest in the missing kids was probably sprung by the promise of reward. Senpak was unsure whether he ought to take this man along. Definetly not to visit the family. That was out of the question. It would already be hard to get his flowers to the parents, it would even be harder if a ruffian such as the one infront of him was following him around.

"I beg your pardon. We aren't acquainted. Why should I take you along?"

Excuse me, do you have any information regarding the kidnapping of a young boy named Toro Damochi? He's 2 years old.

Senpak was greeted by a unsetteling draft of alcohol as a scant-clad woman approached him and the stranger. For a moment the astonhised butler didn't know whether to blush at the sight of her, or the vomit at the scent of her. This creature was a mixture between primal attractiveness and repulsive decadence. He forgot to be annoyed by the interruption and instead started to feel quite out of his element. He had no idea who these two were and where their interest originated from, or whether he wanted to be associated with these sorts. His mother would have looked down upon the both of them and would have ushered them away. It was clear the girl could not be associated with any of the noble families, at least not in a proper manner and definetly not in a way the families would ever openely admit.

"Why would either of you want to know? Isn't already troubling enough that five children are missing?"

The two seemed acquainted. Senpak wasn't sure whether to feel reassured or worried. The girls name apparently was Chouhi. The stranger still hadn't introduced himself, but at least he seemed to be honest. Nobody openly admitted they were down on their luck. At least nobody Senpak had ever dealt with. An idea started to form in the back of his head.

"I appreciate your honesty. However, when you speak about the reward it seems like you are confident you can find information. Are you implying that you know how to deal with these kind of situations?" he asked the man in the black trenchcoat. And turning to Chouhi, "and what of your friend?"

"Oh well, ahum, that is encouraging to hear." Senpak said a bit embarrased. "I apologize for my tone. I am not used to these... circumstances. I hadn't realized I was dealing with such... experts" the butler uttered apologetically. "If both of you have some more indept experience with finding lost... things... then maybe we could start over?" he added hopefully.

Giving a short courteous bow to both he continued. "My name is Senpak Chu, former butler."

Senpak didnt know how to respond to the thumbs up. It didnt classify as a regular form of greeting and the butler had no other choice but to assume it was one of the things he would have to get used to. When Chouhi introduced herself as "the drunk" he gently laughed over it, wishing by evertthing holy she was only kidding. However the young butler did feel more at ease now that every had been properly introduced. These people seemed accostumed to the sometimes chaotic ways of common life. Whatever their motivation, it felt good to know that seemingly capable individuals had taken an interest in the dissappearences.

Senpak smiled appreciatively at the  Kei's kind words. "Thank you. However, my guess as good as yours. This is the first time I heard of this." The butler paused as if something suddenly sprung to his mind. "However... I might know a way to learn more..." he added pensively. "But that would require a slight change of wardrobe" Senpak said looking at the outfits of both Kei and Chouhi. With his eyes resting on Chouhi he murmured "or to get dressed in the first place."

"Well, first of all, you'll need a dress". Senpak managed to stop himself from using dress as a verb, and turned to Kei "For you I have some spare clothes I can borrow to you." The butler then urged the two of them inch closer as he didn't want anyone else to overhear.

"Like I said, when it comes to the kids, my guess is as good as yours. However, I do know the family of one of these kids and I might be able to get us into their mansion. For that I need you to look as if you belong within the high society." Snepak paused to look at them both. "... with some efford." Making a mental note to do something about some practicalities he continued;"Once I get us inside and if we manage to discover where the kidnapping took place, I would like one of you to investigate the crime-scene. You decide amongst yourselves who you believe is most suited. Whilst we are in, me and the other one will distract the parents long enough to get all the information we require."

The butler looked intendly at both. "Is this a plan?"

"If you are going to be the distraction Chouhi then the alcohol might actually work to our benefit. How well can you act as a rich spoiled brat?" he said with a bit of humour. "The scent would actually make it a lot more credible." He then heard Kei's question.

Senpak then had to think a bit before answering. "Whatever seems out of place. I have no idea whether we will actually find any traces, but maybe they left something..." the butler had no idea how the whole investigation would go. Chances were that the servants had already cleaned the whole room. However, that wasn't his first concern. "I'll rely on your insight." he said gravely.

"But first, the fun part. Lets use today to rehearse our story and get our outfits ready. I will have to go and meet some people in order to get us in. Is there a place we can meet?"

"Good, then I will meet you two there tonight. If you will excuse me now, I have some favours to collect in order to get us in." After kindly nodding to both, Senpak turned around and immediately started heading for the Kanjo-residence.

The Kanjo family was a relative young family compared to the other noble houses. During the hundred year war several families had managed to step up. The Kanjo had been one of these families. Originaly nothing more than countryside nobility, the Kanjo had played a pivotal role in conquering several colonial districts. Due to their role, the emperor had seen fit to award them with governing positions, allowing them to fill up their own treasury. As a result, the Kanjo family was granted the privilige to buy one of the mansions in the Fire Nation capitol. To the established nobility they were still nouveau-riche, considered to have fallen upwards. Though time and wealth can turn even the biggest critic into a fan. After a decade the Kanjo family had married into several other families and ensured their presence in the great city. To wed a Kanjo was now considered quite an honour  amongst the nobility in the Fire Nation.

After almost an hour, Senpak finally arrived at the mansion. He remembered the first he had seen it. As a young man he had almost stumbled when walking through the gate. Everywhere you looked there were statues glorifying the military ventures of the Kanjo-family. Brilliant statues and gorgeous fountains, exaggerating the glory of the family Kanjo.

The household guard were soldiers the family rented from the national army. Officialy nobility was not allowed to have their own private army, however against a fee, the nation was willing to "lend" them a hand. The guard infront of the gate was the one Senpak needed. The young butler handed the man a note and had a lenghty conversation before going to the inn. The first dice were cast...