The guy would seem almost amused by his question, asking him if he was willing to uncover her mask and stroll right in. Artemis stiffened slightly; he didn't even need to consider it. He knew his answer, "I'm even less likely to show you my face as you as likely to show me yours. So No, I will do this mission with my face covered." He answered seriously; he wasn't in a position where he could reveal his face. He didn't have a disguise prepared, so it meant taking off his helmet would reveal his real face. Considering who it was, he was representing. It just wasn't worth the repercussions. That was the thing about his guild, even though he was technically in charge, didn't mean he didn't have the same restrictions. Failing to keep his cover and exposing Hidden Blades in any way, shape or form would likely result in his own death. Regardless of his role in the family, he couldn't put it past them. He'd seen what they were capable of, their cold and heartless nature. Even if he was the heir, he knew his replaceability. It was the face of his little brother. If Artemis failed, Ren would simply take his place. They weren't short of heirs that much he had grown to accept.
Mr Shark spoke again; this time it was a little more challenging to interpret the first part. His words were so garbled to Artemis; he could barely make sense of anything other than the word 'Security'. He did get the later part; however, the locations of each of the family members. The daughter on the second floor within the window over, the wife on the first floor, the centre room, and the son was in the room next to the sister. Interesting, Artemis has been able to smell the individuals, but for this guy to figure them out so quickly, by gender and age. Just how the hell did he get such information from just standing here. He was skilled, and Artemis was going to use that to his advantage. Artemis eyed the windows he had mentioned; his sharp eyes spotted that the wife's window was slightly cracked open, suddenly he knew what to do.
"I can get close enough for my ability to have an effect without the risk of them seeing me, I'll find out what I can from the wife and daughter, while you plant evidence. I'll meet you back here after." He said simply. He heard a malicious chuckle in the back of his mind, telling him that Morte was watching anxiously. He knew why. Artemis didn't hide the fact from Morte that he hated reading the sins of others, it was like an intense invasion of privacy, and some of the things he saw were... unforgettable. But his job meant he needed to get information not openly available to the public, and what better way to do that then to rip it from their minds themselves.
Artemis flexed his neck and shoulders; the Shark had already left to handle what he needed to do inside. Artemis's felt the dark magic pool out of his hands, the thorn black vines pushing at his armoured gloves. The gloves shifted, moulding around his magic and creating an opening, pushing through the material and out into the open air. The vines pressed against the ground, lifting his up slightly, and carrying him over the window. He positioned himself to the right of the centre room window on the first floor. Peeking around, he peered through a tiny gap in the curtains. The wife was lying there on her bed, her headphones in, engrossed in a book. There was no security in the room, meaning if they were guarding somewhere, they were most likely outside of her bedroom door. It was an opportune time to use his power.
He called forth the magic from the source inside of him, Morte released it eagerly, allowing it to pour out of his body in a black mist. He stretched it as thinly as he could to make it less noticeable, allowing it to creep around the room, sticking to the shadows made the furniture and the like. It manoeuvred itself way over the headboard and seeped slowly over the woman. She let out a small gasp as her mind drifted into her subconscious and Artemis began exploring her thoughts. Her sins came rushing forward, like a wave of memories, starting small. Like the time she had pickpocketed a toy as a child, or the time she cheated on her high school boyfriend with her teacher. Little things, but not enough to sabotage her current husband. He needed something worse; he needed to go deeper. He pushed forward, feeling the uncomfortable probing sensation of forcing himself into her mind. He had to be careful, if he used his magic too forcefully, he could break her, and she would start screaming. This magic was designed to cause suffering, to show you your worse sins and nightmares, to riddle you with guilt. Using it this way was strange; he usually just blasted people with it as a means of rendering them immobile. This was the first time he had actually tried to learn something from it. A face came into the woman's mind, a man, they were talking in hushed tones. Something about... a charity, the GFTP, he'd heard of it. It was listed under one of his charity organisations, Goodwill for the People, they provided funding for homeless shelters and paid medical expenses for the less fortunate unable to cover the cost.
"And Stephen doesn't know?"
"No ma'am, the payments are listed under a guise of medicinal goods imported from Minstrel used to provide treatment for our registered patients."
"Good, I can't have him know, Stephen is kind and caring when it comes to the people, but he so easily forgets about our needs. I need to ensure my families well-being... even if it means resorting to this."
The conversation went on, but Artemis didn't need to hear much more, he got the details of the offshore account along with. He knew what he needed to; he withdrew his 'Sinner's Revelation' and used his vines to manoeuvre himself to where he was discreetly. As the Shark joined him moments later, explaining about the set up he had left. So he just... killed someone. It was a pretty strange thing, to have him so casually admit to murdering someone and setting someone else up. Artemis swallowed, but then again, wasn't that also what Deleronark did? These people... these assassins, they were just used to this. Did that make it ok?
He heard his suggestion and shook his head, "I learned what I need from the wife, didn't even need the daughter in the end. The wife has been using one of Goodwill's charities as a means of embezzling jewels for herself. We can just hand this information over the publishers and along with the set up you just laid, Goodwill's campaign will be crushed and our mission successful." He said, it was strange, the words he was saying. He sounded so cold...so heartless, even to himself. Was this job changing him? He began to move, walking along, he thought about it. Still, maybe he could learn a thing or two from this 'Shark' guy, he had handled the task pretty expertly. In fact, from his perspective, the guy was an ideal candidate for his guild, despite his ridiculous accent. He stopped, "Mr Shark, This may be sudden, but I'd like to offer you a proposal. You see, I am the leader of a certain... underground organisation, we often handle jobs like these, you know things that involve 'discretion'. The skills you've shown are... impressive to say the least. We could certainly use someone with such valuable skills as yourself. Of course, the position would come with its own perks too; you would be paid handsomely for your work. I'm sure freelancing this type of career can't be easy, should you be interested, you would have unlimited access to jobs. Additionally, we provide any support you might currently be lacking. Of course, if you're not interested I understand, however... it would be a real shame. Why swim in a pond, when you can enjoy the whole ocean, wouldn't you agree, Mr Shark?" The offer was out there, his father might be a little annoyed that he decided to recruit someone without having them investigated first. But then again, this way HIS guild, maybe it would be a little easier if he just took charge..
WC: 1437
Total: 3746 / 3500