Secrets? Not likely.

[Frost]

Trista had made her way halfway through The System already. It wasn't the safest place to be, but she knew that knowing the area would make it far less dangerous if she should ever need to enter the area again. She stayed out of sight most of the time, watching and learning the different personality types of the different dogs here. Mostly they had the same brutish overall personality, but they each had their little quirks, and that was knowledge that Trista could use to her advantage if she ever needed to do so. 

It wasn't hard to tell which dogs hated cats, and vice versa. Trista approached some of the more diplomatic residents of the area, establishing that she was not as dainty as she seemed  before she talked to them, and then introduced herself, making connections. In a tight spot, connections could be what kept a cat alive. 

She continued to do this, watching for someone who had authority, those can be the best connections of all.

[Fen]

Crowley wasn't in the System for no reason. Things were beginning to look up. People were quicker to deal with him now that they didn't have the Mancinis looming over their heads. It had become all to easy for him to take it over. He was almost disappointed. He did enjoy a challenge. He supposed Marco had instilled that in him. The hardest jobs were usually the most fun. Crowley was no stranger to that fact. Maybe that's why he pushed his men and took so many risks. He loved the thrill of it. This, this was borning. He'd had more fun acquiring the System. He thought it would be an undergoing that would make his life a little more interesting, but he was just as bored as ever. There had to be something else. He needed to get his paws on some more territory, but his men were stretched thin right now. He had a bit of an idea for opening a restaurant of sorts, but he needed more revenue before he could work on something like that. Manpower wasn't an issue. He had a pack full of people willing to work. For that he was thankful. They would just have their paws tied with the System for a while. He would be no boss if he pulled them away from that before the job was finished.

Still, he dared Leonardo to come try and take it back. He'd gained a few men after going and making his mark on the System. Brutal blokes, the lot of them. He wasn't afraid. Oh no, Crowley was never afraid. He would know when to cut his losses if it ever got that bad. The hardest part would be admitting he was wrong, which is essentially impossible. Crowley is never wrong, at least in his own mind.

Now, as he walked through the streets marred with clutter and garbage, he was proud of his accomplishment. His gaze found a female who seemed to be working the various traders in the area, and his interest was piqued. He decided he might as well say hello. He did run the place now.

The traders seemed a bit nervous when he approached, that dangerous smirk on his face as he dipped his head graciously in greeting. "Hello, Love. Making my boys work overtime I see." He sent a glance to one of them and the dog backed away and out of earshot. He knew what would happen if he didn't.

[Frost]

Trista noticed the change in attitude of the dogs quickly and she turned to see a stocky, white bulldog. She dipped her head back at him, quickly realizing that he was someone that would make a good ally as he was obviously the dog in charge here. It was easy to tell what kind of dog he was, the greeting alone was enough to establish that, thus the fawn-colored feline adjusted her way of speaking to match that of the bulldog's.

"Merely making acquaintances," she said with a polite smile. She intended to present herself as one who had knowledge of her situation, yet wasn't afraid of it in the least. Hopefully presenting the bold side of that instead of the seemingly foolish side.

"I'm Trista," she introduced herself. "May I ask who you might be?"

[Fen]

Crowley smiled politely. "Quite. Friends are good to have in such an area." He eyed her for a moment. This place could get pretty dangerous for cats if they weren't too careful. Sometimes he wondered how Frankie Sardelli's daughter had lasted so long here without becoming someone's meal. He turned his attention back to the feline before him, now knowing her name was Trista. "That's a lovely name." He complimented, continuing to play the gentleman card as he allowed his accent to better smooth his words, lacing them with politeness. "And I'm Crowley. I run this joint now, haven't you heard?" He didn't expect her to. Most of the cats in the System had their own agendas. Besides, he only needed them when he had places he needed to check out and not be seen.

"Pretty rough part of town to be making acquaintances, wouldn't you say?" He cocked an eyebrow, sitting back on his haunches as he scanned the area again, making sure that no one was paying too much attention to them. They all averted their eyes. Crowley had taught them well.

[Frost]

Trista smiled inwardly, this was just the type of person she'd hoped to meet. "Thank you, you have a nice name as well," she had heard a little about Crowley, she made it her business to know others' business, so naturally she knew a little bit about the biggest rival to the Mancinis. She had expected him to be somewhat more intimidating, but maybe it was his henchmen who made him seem like that when others spoke of him. "Actually yes, I have heard," she said. "It's an honor to be able to speak with someone so important," she made it sound a little more sincere than it really was, but she mostly meant what she said.

"For many yes, for me, it's perfect," Trista replied. "The rougher the area, the better the acquaintance, or so I like to think. I believe that if one surrounds themselves with those who have strengths where one has weaknesses, it tends to be easier to get out of trouble, don't you think?" She looked to Crowley, waiting for an answer and watching for a reaction.

[Fen]

Crowley chuckled. "Please, save the pleasantries. I'm just a businessman, that's all." He gave her a crooked smirk and then listened to her explanation. "Clever girl. I'll have to add that to my list of things to remember. You sure you aren't a philosopher, Miss Trista? Brilliant thought, that is." He laughed lightly again and shrugged. "I find that strength is what you make it. I'm not the biggest bloke on the street, but I have my wit. Brawn and muscle mean nothing without a bit of brainpower and a sense of humor." Crowley was sure that people already knew he was smart. He made sure to do his best to outwit anyone in an argument. Although, he was a sore loser. His ego would never allow him to lose without fighting. His short fuse also attributed to that.

"So, is the fishing trip going swimmingly? I noticed a few of my own acquaintances more than willing to bend the knee and listen to what you have to say. You make it look easy, Love. Took me over a month to get this far, and I'm still trying to climb." He was impressed with how the feline had simply waltzed into the System and had already made a few notable friends. She wouldn't be a bad asset to the team in that respect. She seemed to have a business mindset, too. She knew which ones to go for and which ones to stay away from. Crowley would have to keep an eye on her, lest he lose all the business he had taken so long to acquire.

[Frost]

"I just happen to know the kinds of things people like to hear," Trista replied. It seemed that she had made a good impression, things were going the way she wanted them to, as usual. "If you say you like things or dislike things that others like or dislike, it's not hard to instill a sense of loyalty in them. Of course, there are those who don't fall for such things, as I imagine you wouldn't. Sometimes it's just a guessing game, and I happen to be very good at guessing things," she said nonchalantly. Her ability to make others trust her was something she was very proud of, and she loved to practice it whenever she had a chance.

[Fen]

Crowley chuckled. "Spoken like a genius. Hats off to you." He then studied her a bit closer, wondering if she had any more motive behind her actions. "I could use someone with smarts like that. Intellect. Someone who knows how to cut a deal." Crowley wasn't exactly sure what he was doing at this point, and he wondered if maybe he should retract his statement. "And since you've heard of me, you know what I do. So, I must ask." He tilted his head. "Might that be something you would be interested in? There is lots of money to be made in business with me, and you'll definitely have friends in high places."

[Frost]

"Well, I was thinking of it," Trista replied, but she didn't leave it at that. She wanted to make sure that she was really wanted, and she thought she knew exactly how to make sure that Crowley would really try to get her to join him. "But I've already been offered a job by someone else, a Mister Leonardo Mancini," she didn't let herself show how big of a lie she was telling, she kept her expression and voice tone level. "Though frankly, I'm not sure that he has much to offer in his business. He seems a little too friendly for the meat business," the fawn-furred feline had read The Chronicle, it was the fastest way to tell what was going on, though the most accurate way would be to walk around and listen. Many people talked too much about little things, things which by themselves were worth nothing, but when put together, were something very important.

"May I ask what friends I would make if I were to do business with you?" Trista inquired, happy that things seemed to be going well.