"Constant dealings in the dark. It really is quite bothersome." The balding, older man said to his younger companion as the two of them stood just outside a large building, just off the street.
The building, itself, had a hollowness about it. It seemed lonely, in its emptiness, but far from old or dilapidated. Easily three stories and of sturdy, wood and iron construction, it was wholly questionable why the two might have sought to sell the place, at all.
"I have half a mind to be on my way!" The same man continued, defiantly. His shoulders lifted, as if he were just about to bolster another complaint. "I..."
"Pardon my tardiness, gentlemen." Another, quiet voice cooed from the shadows. The subtle sound of footfall in its accompaniment had brought the youthful Baron's lithe figure out of the darkness.
The louder, older of the pair at the entrance of the building laughed quietly, nervously, before speaking again. "Lord duMonde, please. Forgive an old man's mindless blather. I meant no disrespect!" He stumbled over his words as he descended the long, wide staircase and joined Varian at the walkway before it.
"Of course. I do not intend to keep you longer than necessary. Here." From beneath the excess of cape-cloth, Varian produced a small slip of paper with obvious scrawlings. He extended his gloved hand toward the older gent and offered a half-smile of assurance. "A promissory banknote. For a small amount more than that which we previously agreed. I appreciate your willingness to negotiate."
The elderly man quickly took the paper in hand, looked down at the writing upon it and smiled broadly. He nodded his head enthusiastically, before he managed to tear his attention away and focus again on the young Baron. "Most gracious, my lord! Most gracious! Morgan, let us leave the Baron to his other endeavors!" He shot the last bit of conversation back, over his thick shoulder, toward the younger man, still on the stoop.
"The keyring is in the mail slot." The last thing mentioned before the two other men scurried off, into the dark streets.
Behind them, Varian turned and made his way up the staircase and toward the door of the building he'd just purchased. His eyes scaled the entire face of the establishment and he spoke quietly, to himself. "Yes. This will do just fine."