RP:Emorwyn Meets the Steel Collective
[During a quiet visit to the tavern, Emorwyn meets a small crew of people and finds exactly what he didn't realize he was looking for.]
Emorwyn taps his fingers in a slow rhythm on the table before him, the rings on them glistening in the dim light. His other hand rises to feed a crumb of food to his loyal dire hawk before brushing over his hair, smoothing it down all the way to the loosely tied bun in the back.
Aarika pushed through the taverns doors with her shoulder, the hinge that thirst for oil sounded her arrival. She was of a small lean frame adorned in a light armor with a sword at her hip. Her blond hair was twisted and braided back from her oceanic gaze that scanned the room over as she entered. The matriarch wasn't alone, behind her trailed two more men one tall and lanky, weathered from years of battle, Lenny. The other, Henry, he was young with brown hair and swampy eyes. The three of them all wore a matching gold hoop in their ear. Thudding footsteps brought the close pack to the bar where they one by one relaxed their posture, Aarika ordered. "Whiskey with three glasses, please." Her thumb, pointer and middle finger gestured with the request signally the number non verbally as well.
Emorwyn leans forward, curious eyes following the newcomers. His elbows rest on the table, gloved hands laced together and chin resting atop them as Faenryr the hawk gives his hair a small peck, begging for more crumbs. One booted foot, laced all the way up to his knee, taps against the leg of the table as he observes. “Faen,” he murmurs to his loyal companion. “Behave.” Being the observant man he is, Emorwyn takes in every detail he can, the cogs turning in his mind to work out the puzzle of who they are before he decides to approach or not.
Aarika felt the elf's gaze as Lenny spotted it. His murky stare fixated upon the ranger as he gauged any threat level. Aarika slid a glass of whiskey before Lenny to sooth her loyal friend as a slight smirk crossed her features, "I know..." She was just as curious at Lenny but they would ponder two separate topics. Aarika scooped up her own glass as she spun on her heels, a 180 had her back pressed against the bar while a tilt of her head was directed in Emorwyn direction as was the rise of her glass another non verbal message. Henry was more focused on Nancy as he ordered enough food for the lot of them, though it would be his alone, growing boy. After his food request he claimed his poured whiskey and drained the shot in one go. Those deep greens finally following the route of his clans men, "Staring contest?" He asked sarcastically before turning back for the bottle.
Emorwyn's eyes never leave the crew as he grabs an entire bottle of rum he had sitting before him and takes one swig to finish the last few drops. He stands, and as he does so Faenryr takes flight to find himself a perch and watch over the scene from above. Emorwyn smooths his hair again, a few strands slipping out of the loose bun and hanging alongside his neck, which is adorned with a black choker tight around his throat. A black silk shirt fits nicely around his torso, unbuttoned halfway down his chest and tucked a bit haphazardly into fitted leather pants. This man certainly doesn't lack for confidence—and it shows as he approaches the bar, leaning against it to order another drink. His words are directed at Nancy, but his gaze still follows the group.
Aarika didn't bat an eye holding the unfaltering stare though it would be the steaming meat platter of food that would steal both Henry's and Lenny's attention. The younger man gave a pat to his belly while Lenny simply shook his head, "How does one eat so much?" He looked repulsed while Aarika offered a quick answer, "Tape worm." Here was a rare moment when the older man would crack a grin, though he didn't particularity wear the expression in a pleasant fashion, "Ah, eating for two." The men began to playfully bicker on either side of the matron, so Emorwyn's approach to the bar is met with with a lofted brow, "Can I help you with something?" She inquired with a genuine smile as she rearranged herself out of the surround sound she had managed to stir. Her blues still holding strong even as she sipped her whiskey.
Emorwyn gives Nancy a hushed 'thank you' and a wink when his drink is delivered. He spins around, back pressed against the bar, much in the same position as Aarika. He gives the woman a crooked smirk and a one-shouldered shrug. His gaze finally leaves her as he stares across the tavern at nothing in particular. “Pardon,” he says as takes a sip of his drink. “Simple curiosity. Gets the best of me sometimes.” His head swivels around to face her again and his eyes sparkle with what might be a hint of mischief, the blue-grey orbs seeming to swirl like a stormy sea. “My former companion used to tell me I have a terrible habit of staring.” He tilts his head to one side, a bit like a curious puppy. “I'm Emorwyn C'lendil. And you three are...?”
Dergious stomps in, loud and brash, accompanied only by a wretched stench he has cultivated for god knows how long. He sneers at those close enough to be repulsed and wipes his arm across his face under his nose leaving a wet streak in the matted hair of his forearm.
Emorwyn is only briefly distracted by the sudden appearance of a rather loud newcomer. He gives the man a quick nod of acknowledgment–a simple effort not to be rude, since he's been told that is another bad habit of his–before his gaze flickers back to the small gang beside him. He takes another sip of rum.
Aarika noted the casualty of the man and her smile deepened, soon her finger tips would reach to coil about the bottle the trio shared, she required a top up. Emorwyn watched the room and her peripherals watched him, "I'm Aarika, matron of the Steel Collective." The whiskey bottle found it's way back between the two. "You might as well just unhinge your jaw and shovel it in." Lenny's face stretched in disgust at the others eating habits. "That's Lenny." The older mercenary with the buzzed cut was introduced, "And the bottomless pit is, Henry." The lad gave a wave of a sausage though it was more to push Lenny further. "It's a pleasure." Aarika sighed dismissing the testosterone behind her. "Perhaps your companion was right...I'd be careful not to stare at the wrong person, you know..." There was an empty warning.
Emorwyn chuckles over his glass, head nodding ever so slightly. “Yes, he was usually right about most things.” He gives Henry and Lenny small bows of greeting, then looks Aarika in the eyes again and smiles—a genuine smile, wide enough to show pearly white teeth. “Matron of the Steel Collective,” he repeats. “Sounds like the pleasure should be all mine, considering that title. Seems like I might be in the company of a rather important woman.” He gives her a playful wink. “Might I inquire as to what the Steel Collective is, specifically?”
Aarika offered a soft snort and shake of her head, "Important...Depends on who you talk to I suppose." His wink was wasted on Aarika but his words weren't, "We are mercenaries in simplest terms. Paid to handle others business, taking on a variety of contracts from a variety of people." She nodded matter of a factly before another sip was removed from her glass. "Any good with a weapon?" She asked nonchalantly while her blues studied the amber contentions of her cup.
Emorwyn lets out a single thoughtful hum, his glass pressed to his lips as he stares into nothingness again. He appears deep in thought, nodding along with her words. When Aarika finishes he lifts a brow at her and grins again. “I'm decent enough with a weapon,” he says. “Had my fair share of battles and have thus far come out on the winning side.” He twists around to lean frontward on the bar, setting his half empty glass down and staring down into it. “Mercenaries, hm?” He seems to perk up at the mention of it, beaming as his eyes unfocus a little, clearly losing himself in fond memories. “I've done more than a few mercenary jobs in my time. It's how my companion and I used to survive. Have you any need for a bowman like myself?” He lifts his glass and takes a sip. “I wouldn't mind having some work to keep me busy. And I always deliver on my promises.”
Aarika snickered as she seemed to peak his interest, "We are always in the market for new faces." She confirmed before the sharp taps of her boots carried her towards the public board. Quill on parchment had the matron scratching away before discarding the writing utensil to tear at the paper she squiggled upon. Soon she would face Emorwyn once again, this time she passed a note, "Come by the barracks sometime and we will put that skill to the test and see what contracts we have available." The directions were dealt and her glass drained before she made a gesture for the door, "It's time to get going." She informed the three men, Lenny and Henry rose to their feet ready to follow the matriarch, "I look forward to our next encounter." She smiled before a push off the bar propelled her towards the exit, two in tow.
Emorwyn's gaze follows hers as she goes, accepting the note she hands him. He glances over it briefly before looking at her once more and nodding. “I look forward to it,” he says as he pockets the note. His eyes flicker up to where his dire hawk rests and, without ever uttering a word, beckons the bird to him. Faenryr swoops down to land on his shoulder. “We should be going as well. It was a pleasure to meet you all,” he says, giving the mercenaries another small bow. “We will see each other shortly, I hope.”