Norston followed along. It wasn't as if he knew much beyond the basics of Marekesh's business. It was time to learn a few things. "Well, need to find a reason to go upstairs," Norston walked forward towards the main desk. He wished he had a disguise to go with the act he was about to put on, but he didn't have one just yet.

Lomendil followed Norston towards the main desk. As he did so, he glanced around to try and gauge who was here and if there was any predominant factor other than business.
Investigation 21

[i]You don't really recognize anyone as you step up to the main desk. A human woman behind the desk looks at you and says[i] "Welcome to Merakesh LTD, how can I help you?"

"Yes, looking to see if I can talk to someone about how to get a shipping arrangement setup? Small merchant friend of mine on the inland side of town wanted to do some footwork for his gimped leg," Norston said, at this point wanting a book of a thousand potential false motives to help himself with.

Lomendil followed Norston and then interjected:

His concern was not only with this shipment, but with who was best able to be a reliable supplier. Of course if things are too busy now...we could always look at some other options and come back later. Would that be more convenient?

Lomendil was significantly uncomfortable being out here in the middle of the crowd like this but did his best to back up his ally as far as he could. He hoped it would be enough and resisted the instinct to start looking for bolt holes.

The woman looks at both of you and says "You'll need to go up to the second floor and make an appointment with one of the girls up there for a meeting with someone in arrangements."

"Thank you," Norston said. Things were starting to seem golden in how things were going. No, enjoy it, but don't let it go to your head. Just starting. He started on his way to the upstairs part of the building.

Maybe he should have just done that in the first place...

Thank you maam.

Lomendil turned and followed Norston up the stairs.

That went well, he messaged as he climbed. As he entered the second floor, he started to pay attention to what sorts of documents were around and tried to get a sense of where anything out of the ordinary might be.
Investigation: 12

"Well this is bonus," Norston said noting the women working here. He wasn't all that found on the skinny Elven women, but a shapely Dwarven lady or even a taller Gnome one appealed to him in a way that only a select few had ever been told. "Want to chat with a lady for a little?"

Lomendil's reply was somewhat sheepish:

I wouldn't know where to start...with the girls...but it sounds like a good idea for you. You are better with people than I am.

As he replied, he did his best to read the plates on the wall behind the ladies while trying to decide which door seemed most promising.

Perception: 20

Door number 1's name plate simply reads "Arrangements" Number 2's plate reads "Local business" and number 3 reads "Main offices and conference rooms"

"Suit yourself," Norston said. "But you'll never get close without a risk," He said with a wink. There wasn't anything to really rub back, but he pushed his hand against the orange stubble of where his beard would have been. It nearly broke the moment for him doing it so cheesy, but he walked up to the Gnomish woman's desk, seeing the Dwaven woman still buzy and said, "I do hope this is where things can get started. Looking for someone to give me a hand setting up a shipping deal,"

Lomendil nodded in agreement to Norston and stood quietly by, realizing that this was not his field of expertise. He decided he was going to try and focus on seeing her reactions to his questions and hopefully assist his companion by filling him in on them as needed.

The gnomish woman looks up at you and says"All initial shipping deals are handled by our Arrangement department. You can set up a meeting with some one by speaking with Sari." She points to the elven woman.

A bit of the hope in Norston's heart sank, as the time chatting with the Gnomish woman would be cut short. But a flash of insight came across him before he left her, "One last thing, are there tours here?" He even had it in mind to give her a line about meeting one of the Merakesh's in person if such a thing did exist.

He might say it even if it didn't.

Lomendil stood by silently as the gnome advised the two to talk to a different individual and as he did so he decided now was an excellent time to try and figure out what areas seemed to be mostly public domain and which did not. As he did so he also tried to tell, what looked to be the best methods of surreptitious entry and exit for future use.

Investigation: 11
Perception: 19

Noticing Norston's route, he did his best to tag along behind even as he peered at everything around him, trying to make sense of the organized chaos.

The gnome shakes her head answering you"No, we do not give out tours unless you are a client."

The door with the least amount of traffic appears to be "Main offices and conference rooms", the door with the most traffic is "local business". "Arrangements" so far you have only seen one to two enter and or exit from it. There really doesn't seem to be any way to slip in unnoticed into any of the doors.

Only clients... Probably the richer ones even though not her exact words. Norston moved to the back of the line leading to Sari, the elf. Is this really going to be worth the wait?

We might as well try it now that we are here. Attract suspicion if left. Unless bluff is caught.

Lomendil discreetly sent mental messages to Norston while glancing around. He had already decided he was not going to be able to grab anything this trip but at least could plan ahead for a return this evening.