For Hunter - silly Ol' dumb ol' Hunter - info gathering was nothing.
The Who's what's how's when's were easy enough, especially with how it ran through the Grapevine. (And, what world was that saying from?) Hit up the pretentious, and they assumed Hunter hanging around didn't understand the more delicate nature of their conversations. Drunks at the tavern had loose enough lips. And the average joe? Why, Hunter was a chum! A pal! A nudgenodwink was enough for secrets between friends.
Hunter had even been taken to skateboarding near some Ryptoc guards, who saw him as a nuisance, but no threat.
For certain guards, though, he slunk around a corner and crouched in some bushes, ears pricked. If someone saw him he'd just claim he dropped something. It's worked before. After all, only silly ol' Hunter would go into a prickle bush, wouldn't he?
"Y'know, words gotten 'round," one Ryptoc grumbled. "Some sorta disturbance 'mongst those thieve things. Ripto says keep 'em outa his castle."
Hunter snorted softly. Not your dang castle.
"Hmph, not surprised. Squash 'em flat if they come by, eh?" He lets his club drop and bash into the ground for emphasis, guffawing with his companion.
Hunter is about to leave when they start speaking again. Their tone draws him in.
"Yeh. An' his Lordship also says ta kill any dragons seen."
"Ain't been no dragons in this land since we landed 'ere!"
Hunter's tail puffs up in surprise. He forces his fur to lie flat.
"I know it. 'E was mutterin' about smellin' their smoke. What I think-" he was paused, glancing around cautiously, then drops to a harsh whisper, "I'ma thinkin' 'E's got the ol' fear back. From home realm. Old nightmares a plaguing 'im, eh?"
The companion punches him in the shoulder. "Shuttup! Anyone hears you an' we're dead!"
"Okay okay! Shuttin' it, I am."
The conversation seems to end there, so Hunter slinks off towards the main roads once more.
He knew their original plan to bring dragons would eventually go through, but how would it fare with Ripto's army militarized and ready? They may be stupid, but they were many. And, besides, could Ripto have detected Spyro somehow? Would he be able to track him?
"Oof!"
"Watch it you- oh! Hunter, what a surprise."
Lost in thought, Hunter had run smack into Moneybags.
Throwing on a quick, dopey grin, he forced himself to relax. "Hey! Wassup MB! Sorry for the run-in. Cogs hard at work, y'know?" He winked, tapping a fist to his head for emphasis.
Moneybags pursed his lips. "Hmm, it's not matter. Though I am curious. What's got such a simpleto- simple person as yourself so distracted?"
"Oh, y'know, just tryin' ta figure out that triple lemon twist without breaking my ankle again," he supplied, laughing. "It's a doozy, dude."
Moneybags seemed to lose the sharp, interested look. "Hmm, I'm sure. Well, uh, as they say, break a leg." He grins.
"Ain't that a theatre thing?" Hunter asks as the bear sweeps past.
Moneybags doesn't even turn. "Oh, no; I'm sure it applies wherever success is wished." He waves a dismissive paw. "Ta-ta!"
Alone amongst the people milling about, Hunter takes his time to get back, slipping past people until he's truly alone.
There'll be some interesting things to talk about back at base.
Moneybags glowers to himself, his very air making people part away from him.
There had been no success. Over two weeks, and the dragon was gone without a trace. No news, no signs. To make matters worse, Ripto's own paranoia had put a target on its back.
Moneybags growled to himself. How to twist this in his favor? Would it be worth it to offer some sort of . . .service to Ripto? Promise to dispose of the dragon if caught? On one hand, it could end up in his favor with the dragon back under his ownership. On the other, Ripto could see it as a manipulative plot against him and kill Moneybags on the spot. Tyrants were tricky like that.
Ugh! And now that dimwit cheetah had run into him and wrinkled his jacket. The nerve.
Focus! He needed to cover his bases. Who would benefit from stealing the dragon? If Ripto had it would be dead. Publicly dead. Perhaps another aristocrat? Or. . .maybe a rebel? Someone against Ripto's rule? It seemed unlikely. The dragon wasn't a lively or powerful thing, even if it was beautiful. But the option wasn't totally off the table.
Yes, he supposed. There were options.