RP:Playing the Field

Part of the Tales from the Row Arc

Synopsis: Business is spoken about between Duke and Eliah, and then Duke and Faramond. Kirien provides some amusing distraction in all the serious talk.

Characters: Eliah, Aurelia, Vaduuk, Kirien, Rawnie, Ainsley, Keturah

Location: Cenril; The Whaler's Bar

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Eliah hadn't had as much on his plate in some time, but with the recent events and rumors floating about he felt the distinct need to seek out if in his own means a few of those more like minded to his cause. It's something of a surprise for him to see Vaduuk stride in of course, but rather than his standard distasteful stare one somewhat nearing a friendly appearance has arose. The corsair furhers such things with a brief wave to the barkeep and gesture towards 'duke'. "I'll cover whatever it is he'd like..." A pause and he addresses his former opposition carefully. " ...If you have the time to entertain a civil, business related conversation of course."

Aurelia slipped into the bar like a dark wraith, her footsteps falling silently on the floor as she eyed the bar counter. Silver eyes were like two stars in the shadow covered visage of the avian, and held something more, some mystical. Her intent was to find something to eat, especially after too much talk of business. It had been some time since she had played the games of the physical realm and it tired the avian's mind. To the tender behind the counter she dipped her hooded cranium. "Something to eat and a," She paused to read the labels on the bottles before making a decision, "An ale as well mon amie."

Vaduuk isn't overly surprised to see Eliah there as he comes in, and as usual the half orc is not alone. An older fellow with graying hair and a younger man that clearly does more sneaking than fighting both trail in after him, splitting off to find tables that keep Duke in sight. Duke, himself, goes straight for the Crow, calling out for a rum even as he settles in. "Got time, yeah," he says, rolling his shoulders to relax the muscles. "Ye hear about the Rynnies wantin' ta come invadin' yet?"

Aurelia listened quietly to the sounds of entering footsteps and muffled voices. Her sharp mind was able to discern what the meshing of words and nicknames meant , which in turn had the avian wondering about what might be going on in this city. Kirien appears from the east.

Eliah nods his head, offering a glance to the avian before speaking yet again. " I've heard of it, I'm not exactly inclined to lose my only base of operations in these local waters to a group of islanders with a bit too much confidence. I know you and I have our matters of difference, but let's face facts... If we cannot come to some accord I've a feeling there will be nothing left of us in this city in the coming weeks. The piracy will fail and goods will fall apart as far as our black market goods.. We'll be shut down or under the thumb. I don't -do- servitude. I wager it doesn't set well with your brood either?"

Vaduuk eyes that avian as well, a hand flexing into a fist for a moment. More new faces. He doesn't like all these new faces showing up. "I completely agree," he says as he looks back to the other gang leader. "An' I know fer a fact that we'd be bendin' knee if they win. Already been told so. Like you, I ain't bendin' my knee, 'specially not ta him." Not that Eliah would know which 'him' he's talking about. "I ain't sure Fred'll agree ta this, but ye can be damned sure me and mine ain't lettin' this city fall ta them." And there's his rum. He nods his thanks to the barkeep, taking a sip of the liquor. "Assumin' we can come ta some sort of accord, I'll let ya in on what I got in mind ta watch fer 'em." A wry grin forms on his lips. "The irony bein' that what I got in mind would go better with your cooperation."

Kirien nudged his way through the door and into the establishment, a cautious glance around preceding a light-hearted smirk and a jaunty gait. Once assured of the fact that there's not some sort of brawl going on, the fox happily made his way in the direction of the bar, tail swishing absently behind him as he walked. Near-silent footsteps carried lithe form to the counter and elbows meet wood, the rogue's amber eye turning to the keep. "Got whiskey?" he asked while laying down a coin; the enquiry was met with a shake of the head and a mutter of, 'we're outta that right now' and Kirien pouted despite himself. "Rum, then." Order was made and filled in moments, money exchanged for the glass which was cupped between fleshy hand and mechanical one, and raised to lips as a turn about cast the fox's gaze out across the rest of the tavern. For the moment he'd simply stand, leaning against the counter as attentions wandered between patrons. What was going on in Cenril today? It'd been a short while since his last visit, though if he was correct that visit had sent shockwaves through the city. Geoff Burnham's death had been a rather interesting moment in history. How many mourned him? He snorted; should've seen the guy themselves, really. Elegant in death, with that fine suit of his stained so red with blood. Red wasn't his colour.

Aurelia listened for a moment longer before rising from her stool and departing from the bar. She had had her fill of food and gossip; no need to stay for more than necessary.

Faramond stepped into the Whaler's Bar, hands coming up to his face as he let his cigarette, match thrown away as he approached the bar. The rather new head in Cenril held a bit of swagger as he glanced around the bar. Some his, some not, was a thought that went through his head, the city was in shambles but the bar... Was sacred amongst these bandits it seemed. Faramond puffed away at his cigarette as he waved to one of the city's refugees that seemed to have overrun everything. A smirk was planted on his face as he came to sit upon a stool, trying his best to go unnoticed, but judging by the eyes.. There was a stir in the people.

Eliah twists his eye supwards at the amusement of the thought. " I see, and here I was thinking of other such things... I wager that avian was a friend of our new opposition. I'm not much of one to believe in coincidences like new faces in trying times." There is a pause and he surveys the arrival of Rawnie and in turn Kirien with a slight frown. " Still, I am more than happy to join forces, if need be to end this.... issue. What have you in mind, Duke? The Gathering is prepared to see it through."

Rawnie eases into the tavern a few minutes after Faramond, snorting softly to rid her sensitive nose of the briny air; she'd rather smell smoke than salt any damn day. Anywho. The gypsy, clad in loose-legged, brown pants and a black shirt, immediately heads for the notice board hung therein the establishment, fishing for a note hiding in the depths of her pocket as she goes. Those few notices already posted garner a quick scrutiny, and few cause her to postpone her own addition by a few seconds, but in the end, the cinnamon tinted woman tacks her paper amongst the others and steps back to admire her work as if it were a piece of art worthy of a studious stare.

Vaduuk lets his eyes roam for a moment. There have been more entrances since the avian woman left, one being very...eccentric. Kirien. He recognizes that very effeminate man. "Huh," is all he says about it before his eyes settle on Faramond. Speaking of Rynnies...His mouth turns down some at the corners, his tusks pushing more past his lower lip in the process. "We need people to watch places," he says, though he's nodding his head towards the half elf to indicate that he can't exactly say more at that moment. "People ta keep an eye on the comings and goings of people from that side of the water, or keep 'em out if possible."

Faramond lifted his chin as he heard the door open. His body turned from his stool, lips forming a circle as a cool smoke ring was released from his lungs, trailing faintly through the air. His eyes glanced down, loose silk, still did not mean he couldn't tell that she at least had to have some decent legs. That's how Rawnie was regarded at first... A pair of legs, but his eyes wandered on up the gypsy's frame, his hand screwing with his own dirty blonde hair. It was a way to get attention, that stare, his eyes. Always a glint of mischief resided in Faramond as he looked towards the barkeep, "Two rums." The cocky bastard showed himself, he'd have legs rest beside him for a drink before this was over. Still, the cigarette rested in his lips now as he drinks were fetched, that stare attempting to reel in a gypsy in his ever dangerous game of flirtations.

Kirien had the audacity to wave at Faramond upon taking note of him, a small, mischievous grin making itself visible over the rim of his glass. He knew that one, was for sure. Amber gaze would turn to the man seated not too far away from his position, the fox meeting Eliah's wandering eye; he proceeded to do naught but quirk an eyebrow at him, take a sip of whiskey, and stare at Duke instead. A familiar bulk, he was, though Kirien couldn't quite place him - which was why he stared with even more intensity than usual. When the other turned toward him, Kirien paused, and then offered the man a nod. Duke's words earned a bit of a smirk all the same. Perhaps it wouldn't be too difficult to keep some people out, but he had a wyvern. And a pterosaur, somewhere, though that thing oft remained in Venturil.

Faramond winked towards Kirien. He was aware his charm had an affect on some men... Didn't mean he liked it, but that didn't mean he wouldn't use it.

Kirien flicked a white-tipped ear toward Faramond, a roll of the eyes accompanying the display of indifference. "Not even if you were the last man in Lithrydel, Fara." Of course he knew his name, he'd heard it more than once by now - shortening it was already a habit of the fox's. "God knows what sort of diseases you might have, too."

Faramond said to Kirien, "I am clean, for you see, I draw bath water instead of using my own tongue, Kirien." Of course he knew the scoundrels name, why would he not follow the man after he caught him cheating. "You act as if I would, I have standards, you know?"

Vaduuk snorts into his rum as he hears Kirien's comment about Faramond. Oh, now that's funny, and the half orc's laughing pretty damned openly about it.

Rawnie isn't impervious to the feel of eyes upon her figure, and due to her once well-known status of not only the Broken Barrel's bar maid, but the Hanging Corpse's dancer, the once-was whore is no stranger to flirtatious games regardless of whether or not she actively knew someone was currently playing them. Old habits die hard and she nonchalantly, but oh-so purposefully, juts out her left hip subtly, flaunting her more eye-catching qualities. A few more seconds is spent reading and re-reading her note before she finally turns and sashays toward the bar. A seat isn't taken and her inky gaze shifts right and glides over the three barstools in between herself and Faramond to briefly acknowledge the man and his choice of 'two whiskeys' the glasses themselves are regarded with a simple smirk before she turns toward the bar keep once more. "Whiskey."

Rawnie belatedly realises the exchanged banter between the man and the fox, and she manages to refrain from outrightly laughing, but there's nothing she can do to hide the broad grin across her mouth.

Kirien snorted. "Presumptuous, aren't you? 'S probably why Red gave you work in the parlour." He wasn't surprised the man knew his name; somehow, he was becoming quite well-known, at least on one side of the water. Cenril likely knew him as the Wraith that had come and then gone, and left some food for the crows in his wake. "And baths don't get rid of every dirty secret."

Eliah said to Vaduuk, "Seems we've a bit too much foreign fodder for now, We'll talk again later, duke..."

Faramond smirked, turning away from Kirien, he had a response, but the game to him was more important. He had noticed the hip jut, and the distinct seat taking. A hand waved the barkeep down, as if some sort of jedi-mind trick from Faramond as the keep stopped getting Rawnie's drink, "All out, I'm afraid." A grin sent her way, smoke releasing from his lips, his hand sliding the second down her way. Not directly beside him, that would be too forward, not that he cared, but rather it was placed so she would have to scoot at least one seat over towards him, "Pretty smile, have you not?" An idle compliment as the cigarette was removed from his lips so that he could take a drink of his whiskey, cunning smirk as the games began.

Vaduuk watches the going ons, now that the Crow's gone. Indeed, foreigners galore. But he's grinning, now that Eliah's gone, rather than upset about it. He gets up, moving over to lean on the bar there by Eliah and Rawnie. "Ye seem ta be popular with the ladies," he says, grinning a bit as his eyes shift towards Kirien. "And perhaps some of the men." Sure, he's likely intruding, but the way he looks at it, Cenril is his city. Not Faramond's, not Leo's, not the Crow's...his. At least, once one particular man is taken care of. But he's looking at Faramond's female companion now, and his own eyes are roaming appreciatively. He may have that ugly underbite and his dark brown skin thanks to his orcish heritage, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know how to appreciate good looks. "An' ye seem ta know how ta pick 'em, too. Not bad."

Kirien emitted another snort, this one being muffled by his drink. Faramond's antics were laughable, to be honest, but upon noticing Eliah leaving the fox's attentions turned toward the man he'd been speaking with. It bothered him that he was unable to recall exactly where he'd met such a brute before, and after a moment's pause he'd move in his direction, light footsteps barely making a sound on old floorboards. "Pff. He wishes," he said in response to the half orc's comment, with an elegant swish of the tail in Faramond's direction. The fox couldn't help but shake his head at the two other men; their attitudes toward the woman, beautiful as she is, don't exactly please him. "Oi. You," he grumbled then to Duke, nudging the other in the side, "I know you from somewhere. Where?"

Rawnie suffers through a momentary pout when the bar keep informs her of the shortage of whiskey, but thereafter grumbles about a blonde witch of a captain buying it in bulk. It was obviously a logical reason for the lack of supply; Sadie and her crew were known to swallow whiskey as though it were water. Regardless of this mental insight, the gypsy quickly debates a second choice, but before the name of poison can leave her lips, that whiskey is being slid her way. Once more, dark eyes shift to Fara's figure, and a delicately plucked brow arches curiously due more so towards the question/statement offered rather than the drink itself. "I guess I do." A salacious grin is bounced his way before the woman's attention is turned toward the position of the drink, but rather than move down that extra seat, she leans over and stretches a lean arm out to intercept the glass. She was the master of games, and she never gave in easily. Drawing the alcohol back to her, Rawnie crosses her legs over one another at the knee, lifts her hand to offer a toast of sorts of the man and then takes a short sip from the glass itself.

Rawnie 's interests shifts towards Vaduuk at this point, simply due to the boarish compliment -if it could be called that- given. However, neither a smile or her attention lingers on the orc long enough to actually warrant a conversation to spawn before the foxy male had arrested the gypsy with that glorious flick of his bushy tail.

Faramond chuckled at Rawnie, the exposing of her bosom not lost upon him as he quirked a brow. The ash was tapped from his cigarette, his head shaking to ruffle up that dirty blonde hair as he slid that glance in her way, "How am I to offer you a cigarette if you won't even come closer?" She was going to play a challenge, he liked that, the more fight they had... Well the more fight they had where it counted, but that devious look was trying to draw her in as he absent-mindedly said to Vaduuk, "I don't pick them, they pick me." Whether they knew it or not, still, he dipped his head, a sign of faux submission to Rawnie, "I was going to ask what you just put up on the board too." Kirien and his bushy tail were ignored, he saw a much better speciment sitting, and not on his lap at that! A hand tapped the barstool beside him, inviting the gypsy closer, but he knew she would most likely deny.

Kirien had half a mind to settle himself on Faramond's lap, if only to be a bit of a bother to him - though he'd likely not remain there for long. The fox didn't want to catch anything, after all. The woman the half-elf had his eye set upon was given a curious glance, and a tilt of the head. He'd give Faramond a light kick the calf as he meandered by his position. "I'd watch yourself," he murmured to the female in passing, leaning a mite closer to her so as to relay the little message to her ears only. A sip of rum followed the words and the fox came to a pause somewhere close by, continuing to watch Duke and wait for his response.

Rawnie isn't one to purposefully expose herself in the name of any game, but accidents did happen when one dressed the way she did. But alas, that is beside the point. The offer for a cigarette draws the gyps' attention anew to the man just down the bar from her, and she shakes her head. "Ah, no thanks though doll. Not a big fan of cigarettes." It messes with her senses, and she enjoys being alert and aware of everything worth her peripheral attention. She offers the man an apologetic smile, fake as it may be, at this point and polishes off the remainder of her whiskey. The empty glass is then returned to the bar proper, and pushed toward the keep. No coins are offered in payment, due to the fact that the drink came from Faramond, and the gypsy pushes herself off her bar stool to stand once more. Attention still lingering on the man, she adds in response to his lattermost statement, "Lookin' to set up shop 'round here is all." Before her interest can be tuned towards the door, Kirien's words filter into her thoughts, and the fox is given a simple dismissing wave of her hand coupled with a brilliant smile. "Don't you worry 'bout little ole me, love." And with that, the gypsy is moving towards the exit of the establishment, purposefully swaying her hips subtly in the process.

Faramond clearing his throat as she got up to leave, he'd watch the swaying, it's what she wanted and it would play as part of the game, "Hopefully you'll come back tonight... I might be able to help you out, got a shop I want to set up myself." A smirk came, his eyes trying to catch hers, he wanted to make her look back over her shoulder. He had to know if he had her hooked, he wanted to see if he had her coming back. He wouldn't tell her that it was only he wanted to set up shop in her bed, that information was useless to anyone right now.

Faramond said to Kirien, "Think you are a crafty little thing, don't you?"

Kirien couldn't help a quick glance downward when the gypsy moved past him on the way to the door - he'd always been a fan of hips, no matter whose body exactly they were attached to. He'd then cough, a mite embarrassed as his ears flattened out some. A bit of a blush would be hidden in another drink of rum, the fox's single eye straying back in Faramond and Duke's direction, most especially the former. "And what makes you say that?" he'll ask with a blink and a small grin.

Faramond said to Kirien, "I don't know, you tell me."

Kirien said to Faramond, "Don't be childish just because your 'friend' ran off on you."

Faramond said to Kirien, "Oh ye of little faith... Those silks are already off, you just don't know how to play."

Kirien said to Faramond, "As if you could be considered 'experienced' in this sort of game. The girls you for? Half of 'em would probably sleep with a talkin' fish, they're so damn easy. How disgustingly obvious and rude do you need to be? The best ones require investment and a more subtle touch. "

Kirien coughs. "The girls you go* for?"

Faramond said to Kirien, "And how many of those have you bagged, hmmm?"

Kirien said to Faramond, "The number is simply too high for you to fathom."

Kirien was lying, but damn if he didn't know how to get what he wanted if he wanted it.

Faramond said to Kirien, "Or you are just talking off your pretty bushy tail. You really have little idea, I have a feeling you've attempted to sleep with more kings than queens."

Vaduuk is a mite disappointed at Rawnie's disappearance. Best looking woman to wander in here in a while, that one. "An' what makes ye think ye've seen me before?" he asks the fox, though the half orc certainly remembers seeing the fox man the day Burnham had died. "'Parently not all of 'em pick ye," he says to Faramond with a smirk, waving the barkeep over for a new rum.

Faramond said to Vaduuk, "You weren't looking at the same ass I was then."

Kirien grinned into his glass. "Well," he said, with a bit of a smirk, "a king is still quite a good catch. You know how much money those guys have just layin' about in their room?" He paused, mostly for effect, partly to take another sip of rum. "Oh, right, you wouldn't know. Never bedded anything higher than a cheap whore, have you? Shame." An absent flick of the tail followed.

Kirien said to Vaduuk, "Ain't sure. Maybe you're a Burnham guy? I don't think I let any of those get away though.."

Vaduuk said to Faramond, "Was lookin' at more than an ass, mate. But that's besides the point. Ye had an offer, an' apparently it got miscommunicated. Ye gonna try pitchin' yer sale again, or not?"

Faramond said to Vaduuk, "You going to buy me a drink and talk business or no, then?"

Vaduuk said to Kirien, "Hell no I ain't no Burnham."

Faramond said to Kirien, "I've made queens crawl hands and knees to me, lad.. You got no idea."

Vaduuk said to Faramond, "Ain't a mind reader. What's yer poison?"

Kirien said to Faramond, "Men in drag do not count, queens as they may be."

Faramond said to Vaduuk, "Whatever you are having."

Faramond said to Kirien, "Believe what you like."

Kirien levelled a gaze of intense scrutiny upon Vaduuk's form, eyeing him up and down a couple of times and only breaking the stare after a long few seconds. "Then you must be one of Kingsley's lot, though knowin' the new bunch of people showing up here you could be anyone. I'm assuming, shoot me." It was the first admittance of assumptive behaviour from the fox, though he'd not dwell on it long and continued after a short pause. "Besides, I ain't run into most of them yet, so you're likely Kingsley's."

Kirien said to Faramond, "I think I will. It's so much fun imagining you on your knees~."

Vaduuk waves for another round of rum, and the barkeep sets one in front of both Duke and Fara, even though Duke still hasn't downed his first mug. "Now. I know ye're wantin' me ta help ye. But what apparently got lost in translation was yer terms. So what are they?"

Faramond said to Kirien, "Here I was thinking you'd imagine me in front of you on your knees."

Kirien said to Faramond, "Oh, it's true that I have quite a way with my mouth, but I'm sure you'd be all right with a bit of training."

Faramond said to Vaduuk, "I don't want you to help me... That merely makes it sound like I am the only one benefitting, lad.. No, I'm lookin' to bring all the crew, thugs, and ruffians together, instead of watching anymore get beheaded on a stone or whatever it is.." A shake of his head came, "The city'll fall to itself, I know how to bring 'em together, and I figured you'd enjoy a bit of luxury yourself too... After all, got to keep Leo and the otherside of the water off the city, don't we? And we can't let Larket float above us much longer either."

Vaduuk said to Kirien, "Kingsley's yes, gods rest the man. Was there the day Burnham died, weren't ye?"

Faramond shivered a bit of Kirien, "You don't have the equipment I know how to work on, I hate to think of what else you've been imagining."

Vaduuk said to Faramond, "Thought ye were workin' with the mutt." He drains a long pull from his mug, a great sigh when he finally stops for air. "What's makin' ye wanna keep Leo back on the island now?"

Faramond said to Vaduuk, "I know when a dog is too dangerous and has the wrong ideas in his head, Duke. Work with the mutt, I tried." He wouldn't mention having the oppurtunity to kill Leoxander, no, but rather he looked the half-orc in his eye, "He wants to raid the city, have I tried or said anything of that sort, Duke?"

Kirien gave a little salute at the mention of Kingsley, a motion that was perhaps a show of respect from the fox. That didn't happen often, for sure. "'Course I was. Guess I wasn't concentrating enough to memorise the guys he had with him properly. 'Xept Fred. D'you know where the guy is, I owe him a punch or three for that comment of his." A smirk was then cast Faramond's way, words following after another swish of the tail. "You'd know how to work on it after I was done with you, I'm sure. How terrible though, narrowing your possibilities like that - you're restricting yourself!"

Faramond said to Kirien, "I prefer velvet, blame me?"

Kirien said to Faramond, "Yes, yes I do. Though maybe you're just a coward, stickin' to women like that. Afraid any attempts to assert yourself over men would end in failure? You'd get quite a…stabbing, I'm sure, what with that pretty face of yours. "

Kirien was intentionally trying to give Faramond horrible images by this point. He hoped he was succeeding.

Vaduuk lifts his mug as Kirien gives salute to the memory of Grot Kingsley, and down the hatch the rest of that mug goes. "Yeah, I was there. And yeah, I know roughly where Fred's at. Over on the east side, likely yellin' 'bout me goin' ta Rynvale still." Rynvale. That has him scowling. He actually likes the place, and he can't even go over there without risking a brawl he isn't looking for. Gods damn that wolf. "Ain't heard ye talk about sackin' the city, no. But there ain't no guarantee he still ain't gonna come this way. Ye intend ta fight him when that time comes?"

Kirien said to Vaduuk, "Hm, you should take me to him."

Faramond smirked at Duke, "I can keep 'im from ever getting over." A drink of rum was taken now as he smirked, "I can keep him on his island." A nod given to Duke, "You just got to trust me that I'll end Fredlark and you and I... Can unite the town. I'm not talking about dividing it up, I'm talking about ending the stupid stuff these kids are doing."

Faramond said to Kirien, "If you dun shut up, I'm going to go find someone to swashbuckle that tail till your sore in the mouth."

Kirien said to Faramond, "Your pick-up lines are getting worse. Also, don't take out Fred 'til I've given him a punch or two. "

Faramond said to Kirien, "Oh? I am trying to pick someone up right now?"

Kirien said to Faramond, "If you are, you're doing a terrible job of it."

Faramond said to Kirien, "You were the one commenting on pick up lines I'm not using."

Vaduuk swirls his rum around in his mug, sitting in silence as he ponders things over. With Fred out of the way, the gang wouldn't be split anymore. Not openly, anyways. Fred's faction would still likely be out to gut him, though. "Kid gets ta punch him, you get ta kill him, eh? If ye can do what ye say an' keep the dog on the island, ye'll have yer help. I'll keep the Crow's boys down by the beach an' out of the way. That'll let you an' I work the inland."

Faramond grinned at Vaduuk, "If I can get his men, without the contempt the othersides have drawn?" He knew none of them wanted fighting... He had that in his back pocket always as he raised a brow. His plan was already in place and he was teasing Vaduuk with the temptation.

Kirien eyed Faramond, amber gaze bright but shrouded in blackness as always due to that odd eye of his. "I was commenting on the talents of your mouth you weren't using, get it right. But you're a coward, so that doesn't matter." Duke's suggestion, however, had the fox's attentions turning away from the half elf to eye the larger male instead, a small smile curving the corners of lips wrapped about the rim of a glass. "I don't mind this idea, though do you really have to kill him? I need a pet."

Faramond said to Kirien, "And maybe you should start using your head before you use your mouth, eh?"

Kirien said to Faramond, "Maybe I'm already using it but you're too much of an idiot to notice."

Faramond just sort of shook his head at Kirien, tired of the banter between the two as he took a drink of his rum.

Kirien turned his gaze back to Duke. He was more interesting.

Vaduuk pulls a throwing knife from a sheath on his leg, stabbing it into the bar. "Kid, shut up before this knife finds its way into yer back." Seems Fara's not the only one getting tired of all this talk about bedding men. "And yes, Fred has to die. Otherwise there'll just be more fightin'. He ain't willin' ta work with any Rynnies." He eyes Faramond with a hard stare, his fingers running along that exposed throwing knife. "Get the Crow's crew on yer side? If ye can manage that, then all the better. But he ain't anxious ta be workin' with Rynnies either. But make sure ye understand this; I work with ye, we're equals. Ye ain't the leader, I ain't the leader. Ye screw my city over, ye'll die. If ye can live with that, we have an accord."

Keturah was the shade of a figure passing through the streets of Cenril; or at least one of them, given how many shades seemed to loiter in dark alleys or streets. The bulging satchel thrown over the back of her petite frame might served as some temptation for those who would rob her, but the druidess had thus far proved more than capable of handling herself. The side of the Whaler's Bar offered a temporary haven for Keturah as she loitered outside its doorway, until a sailor's exit into the streets nearly had her face meeting the door. With a quiet grunt of dissatisfaction, the woman pushed her way inside, one hand moving away from her burden to tug the hood a little ways from her eyes. Ah. How nice. She actually recognized some of the occupants that night. Frowning slightly, the desert-born swept around a few patrons to find an empty booth. Keturah tossed her satchel into the booth first, before settling down to listen and watch.

Faramond said to Vaduuk, "I got Fred, you take care of Crow, though I imagine I'll be working on that one soon as well... One piece at a time, I need more men." He was willing to be open now as he glanced at Duke, smirking slightly, "I'm not splitting the city.. They aren't going to follow you but I figure we work it this way, Duke.. I administrate, you take care of some of the rougher duties, if ya get my drift.. No offense."

Faramond felt a pull at the back of his neck. A cigarette being retrieved from his pocket, the stick getting lighted as he offered another over to the half-orc. His head turned, looking over his shoulder as he watched Keturah. She seemed familiar... In the hips. A shake of his head came, business first, women later.

Kirien 's ears pinned back, single remaining eye falling to the blade of the dagger as it was drawn and tracking its movements. Instinctively, he took a step back. "Don't go pullin' knives on me, a'ight? Else you'll end up like Burnham's lot. And trust me, I could do a lot more damage to you than I did to them." He wasn't one to make such claims often but Kirien knew his abilities, knew how to use him, and was quite sure he'd at least be able to handle an attacking half-orc should he need to. The warning, sharp as it was, gave way to a softer tone and a hint of a smile, though the latter was hidden by another sip of rum from raised glass. "So long as you let me punch him before he dies, I guess I'm all right with it. Shame it's become such a mess, though - he didn't seem that bad a guy."

Kirien waved to Keturah upon catching a glimpse of her - a movement that might appear strange to the desert woman. While he'd not appeared to take much notice of her presence in Finn's shop, the fox was memorising, and watching, and had remembered her face. Doubtless she wouldn't recall his, however.

Vaduuk shrugs, seeming to not take any offense to the statement at all. "I'm a mercenary, mate," he says, even as he turns to watch Keturah wander in. "It comes with the territory." That satchel of Keturah's has his attention for a few moments. Most people that come into this place with satchels are hiding something. "I look at it this way; ye find the work, I lead the expedition. Either way, the both of us are more or less equal. Ye get ta keep yer hands clean this way, too, so ye don't scare off all the pretty li'l ladies." Oh, the smirk he gives Faramond at that point. But Kirien's threat has him scowling once more, and he's glaring at the fox. "It ain't jus' me that ye'll have ta worry about. Fred ain't the only one with people loyal to him after Kingsley's death." Indeed, a couple of people in the tavern shift as though readying weapons somewhere on their person. Duke is -never- alone.

Keturah dropped her hood, and was half way through shaking her fingers through her hair before the wave caught her eye. Moss-gaze dragged toward the fox, and she'd offer the other a smile. Ah.. He was familiar too. Bloody hell. She and the male were on waving terms? Hand slowly moved from her curls to give a slow wave of her own. Perhaps she'd remember where she had seen the other in a few minutes, then. Hell.

Kirien merely raised a brow at Duke, his expression mostly blank save a trace of amusement, and perhaps respect. "I don't care about numbers. More food for the crows, is all. But I'll play nice so long as you do." It wasn't exactly his intention to get into a murderous brawl, after all, but those sorts of things seemed to come naturally whenever he opened his mouth.

Kirien was on waving terms with everybody. He grinned at the woman's smile, however, apparently pleased by its appearance.

Faramond chuckled and shook his head, "I told ya, fox, think before ya speak." His head shook as he sighed idly, "And Duke, I prefer my hands dirty, I just know how to go about doin' it, eh? It's all about appearances, I just.." A frown came, he couldn't tell Duke about Miya and the promise and his fear, a shake of his head, "Just leave the pretty women to me, eh? I imagine if you are as good as you and your boys think, a few'll slide your way." A chuckle came as he glanced at Keturah once more, whistling, just to catch the females attention, and he knew she was a female.

Ainsley had slipped into the tavern to catch Duke and his crew arming, she was smart to take the long way to the bar. Pale blues scanning and assessing the situation while her lush lips tugged ear to ear. She would order one whiskey and one rum.

Faramond said to Keturah, "Odd how you seem to keep bumping into me or finding out where I am, isn't it?"

Keturah had seen Kirien in Finn's shop, right? Was she right? She had seen a fox in Finn's shop, right before she'd panicked at the increasing number of patrons, at least. There were getting to be quite a few people in the bar, now that she looked around. The whistle drew her attention to Fara, lips bowing into a smirk. Two fingers lifted to tip the man an idle salute, before moving to rake through her hair once more. Keturah said, "Don't you know? I'm following you. Plotting my revenge for the bird-thing's incessant need to push me over."

Vaduuk snorts, pulling the throwing knife from the table and returning it to its sheath. Even if he doesn't attack, all he'd have to do is gesture and so many throwing weapons would fly Kirien's way that it would look like a hailstorm of metal. "You an' I both, elf. You an' I both." He's a mercenary, after all. He picks his jobs. This is really no different. "Here's my one question about all this. Am I gettin' paid?"

Faramond grinned at Keturah, "Where is my little buddy? And are you going to wiggle on over here and let me buy you a drink? No way to get revenge like getting me intoxicated and dumping my body." A chuckle given as he gives her a two finger salute.

Faramond said to Vaduuk, "To the victor goes the spoils... It'll pay off for you when it pays off for me, after all, I have to earn your trust, do I not?"

Kirien refrained from making a sly comment about 'used merchandise' to Duke at talk of women from Faramond, and scoffed into his glass instead. Free hand had journeyed down to the fox's hip, fingers tapping on the hilt of Elethial - if he picked up on so much as an abnormal twitch in Vaduuk's movements that sword would be drawn and its exotic activation call sounded, ready to blast any oncoming weaponry away with a solid burst of sound. He wasn't quite as stupid as he seemed, really. Trouble, in Cenril? That was almost a given. "Tch. So are you takin' me to Fred or not?" Though he'd likely be ignored Kirien tried anyway, frowning while setting down his empty glass.

Keturah whistled lowly, fingers lowering to pluck at the fabric of her cloak. "Wiggling? Do women generally wiggle? It sounds like an uncomfortable manner of getting from one place to the next." The question of the bird-thing was regarded next, with a thoughtful knit to her brow. "Probably out finding gold. He does enjoy doing that."

Vaduuk said to Faramond, "Money usually suffices fer trust until real trust is formed, mate. Ain't ye ever worked with a merc before?"

Faramond said to Keturah, "Wiggling is more fun to watch, but you can always walk over to the stool next to me, if you like."

Kirien coughed, and may have muttered the word, "Greenhorn."

Vaduuk said to Kirien, "I ain't one ta walk out on business. Keep yer pants on." He pauses, and blinks slowly. "Fer the love of the gods, keep yer pants on."

Faramond said to Vaduuk, "I have, however, you have never worked for me, trust me, I'll get your trust. The first job we pull off, will get us both a fair bit, eh?"

Keturah said to Faramond, "You seem to be having a conversation, no? T'would be rude for me to interrupt." Even if she already had. "I would still be here until I get bored, fret not."

Faramond said to Keturah, "Oh, I'm only going to buy him a drink and send him on his way... Something more pressing walked in."

Kirien said to Vaduuk, "...I don't just strip off in the middle of a bar."

Faramond said to Vaduuk, "He strips other men in the bar."

Kirien said to Faramond, "I'll strip you if you don't shut it."

Keturah would sit right where she was, at least offering Fara a cheeky grin to go with her wave.

Faramond said to Kirien, "You'd enjoy that too much."

Faramond smirked back at Keturah, giving her a small wink.

Kirien said to Faramond, "I beg to differ. Unless it involved blood-letting on your part, I'd probably be bored. You're so...plain, after all."

Vaduuk said to Faramond, "We'll see come that first job." He pushes off the bar, dipping his head slightly. "If ye'll excuse me, I got an island ta go sneak around on."

Faramond said to Kirien, "Yet you keep that eye on my every time I am in the room."

Faramond said to Vaduuk, "Don't sleep with anyone I wouldn't have..." A bag of gold was slid Vaduuk's way, "Enjoy yourself tonight, on me."