RP:S1, E14 Different Kind of Pay
Summary: Larz gets recruited into the Steel Collective.
Gualon Way
The main city road, that leads up to and throughout northern and central Gualon comes to an abrupt end here, in a large quad with slabs of the onyx stone that seems indigenous to the flooring design locally. Situated in what must be an extremely profitable location to the west of this area are the stables of the local smithy, where beasts of burden and transport are tethered for the night or their hooves, if they indeed have any, may be shod with new shoes of iron. The building itself a grand barn with huge double doors, the sounds of metal working, either from here or the blacksmith that adjoins the stables to the south, ring throughout the days and often into dusk, what with his fees being so affordable for even the modest merchant. Directly to the south of this little plaza lies the Gualon Grogshop, the main food and beverage establishment of the city. Left to much the same design that it was before the city-wide renovation, the only major change to this alehouse is the level of custom, with such an increase in tourism and trips of business by merchants the coffers have spilt their golden blood upon the vault floor threefold. The sign above the threshold reads, 'A Thousand Welcomes Before You', quite the advertising campaign by the proprietor, having to negotiate with staff to be as accommodating as mortally possible to the clientele for increase in wage, though the homely facade and warmth of the place seems to entice many with promise of merriment and a temporary quench for the ever-thirst of alcohol. The options standing are obvious, sate weary legs at tavern, sate those of beast at stable, or turn to the north and travel back to the grand city plaza.
Largakh was getting off work late from his patrol, he felt tired for once, but was also a little distracted all day and no one is the wiser because he pretends he’s some dumb orc anyway. Larz doesn’t look like your typical orc because he's not built as wide and he actually looks deceptively lanky in his city guard jacket, the one that has the crest on the left chest pocket. It was payday for the month of his patrol job and he had a pouch of some gold, but even though it wasn’t much he didn’t care as he lives minimally. His repurposed elven sword which was handed down to him (he went and broke it) has been made into twin throwing axes and a dagger he keeps in his boot. It was a long night and he stressfully pushes the dark short hair back on the top of his head while making his way to the Grog shop, maybe he will spring for two drinks instead of his free one (he did a little detective work for the barkeep). After passing an alley he sees a few nefarious looking human gang thugs (a local ‘territory’ of theirs) up to no good and has what seems to be an innocent bystander (probably a traveler visiting Gualon) cornered against a brick wall. ‘Cop’ mentality and all, Larz moves closer to investigate - he moved pretty silent for being an orc… er… half-orc? It’s hard to tell really, especially in the dim of the streetlamps. His right hand rests on the hilt of Jholaendri which is strapped to his right while he succeeds in coming up right behind the thugs when his harsh orcish tone surprises them, “all good?” They jump and the one with the crossbow (what, even?) holds it to Larz’s face to which the orc grins, “go on… Do it.” The thugs look at eachother and the one flinches again when he grabbed hold of the end of the weapon to direct it between his eyes and Larz seen the hesitation in the man’s eyes, “no, no, right here. Decorate wall,” he means the one behind him - go ahead, blow his brains out. The guy still won't do it, obviously scared now and a little freaked out. It was then Larz easily pulled the weapon from the thug and connected the but of the crossbow against his head, knocking him out. One guy started to make a run for it in the opposite direction of the victim while the other was bold enough to come at the half-orc.
Aarika and Henry had been traveling endlessly lately since they had returned to this realm. A contract had taken them far away and for quiet sometime but the completion didn't only offer them riches but personal honor. Yesterday the pair of sell swords were in Kelay, where they met an interesting female warrior, she was feral, strong and loved the fight. So after sharing words Lucky joined the ranks of The Steel Collective, something the company was very excited about. Some members joined for riches, some boredom, some direction and some glory. Aarika wasn't a creature of greed, she lived by her sword and prayed to one day be fortunate enough to die with her sword in hand. Their recruiting mission brought the Matriarch and Henry to the city of Gualon. Their booted feet thudded sharply upon the cobble stone though the commotion coming from the alley way would mute any sounds of their arrival. Aarika was a rather petite woman with golden hair that was intricately braided from her face, each braid she had earned in battle, her eyes mirrored the colors of the oceans and showed she could be just as unforgiving as well, her skin was light and creamy through the scars upon her skin were like braille telling a story of her victories. She wore light flexible armor and had a round shield strapped to her back, at her right hip was a small hand ax and at her left hip was a short sword. Henry towered over his matron, not that it was to difficult, he was a young man with a brown knot of hair upon his head the sides shaved clean, his eyes were a swampy green flecked with red and he too adorned similar armor and weapons, which seemed at the ready. Larz seemed to steal the duo's attention as his display of combat and fearlessness shown like a beacon screaming recruit me, recruit me... Aarika grinned and watched with curiosity only moving to stick her foot out to trip the retreating foe. She would assure that the mugger would fall at her feet, and as he did she simply sat upon him, "All this walking, what a lovely place to rest." She teased being cruel while Henry pinned him to the stone way with his boot upon the man's head. They would hold him in custody for Larz.
Largakh glances to the indrudors on this aprehension, he’d get to them in a second - they could be a rival gang for all he knew. He let the crossbow drop to the ground and it shot off it’s arrow, bouncing off the tavern’s outer wall and sticking in Larz’s calf muscle, but the orc doesn’t seem to notice as he had his twin axe out at the ready. The thug came at him with a dagger and Larz’s hand was quick on his wrist to spin the perp in one swift motion. Pushing and twisting the guy’s arm up his back until the thug was yelping in pain, but it was the sharp axe at his neck which stiffed anymore sounds or movement. Such a finely made weapon and just the slightest bit of pressure caused a bead of blood to drip from the man’s neck, but Larz lets him off easy and knocks the thugs head off the wall before them, also knocking him out with his buddy. If he wasn’t a city guard someone might think him unhinged, jaw tense and a fire blazing in the orc’s tuscan sun eyes as he flicked the blood off his blade to return it to his hip. He leaned down and pulled something from each of the thug’s pockets before using magical binding rope on their wrists pulled behind their backs(not of his own magic, they are already enchanted.) He walked to the end of the alley and the light catches his face which also as a few scars on it - one cutting a path in his eyebrow hair. Those fiery eyes study the pair with a tense jaw before looking at what he pulled from the thugs now that there is light, it was stolen gold and illegal substances. “Larz thanks,” his ruse continues as he waits for the pair to let the thug go so he can bind him, too. It was at this opportune moment that a fellow guard was walking by, this was an undead fellow with a gnarly face, “Larz? I thought your shift ended two hours ago?” Larz merely nods politely to his colleague and asks, “jail them?” The other guard happily helps Larz out, but Larz kicked into detective mode as he casually addressed the pair who helped him as that doesn’t usually happen in this city, “me, Larz… You?” Once they respond - as if he were nonchalantly making conversation he follows up, “where go?” Meaning where were they headed.
Aarika studied the half orc intently noticing his self control and will power to detain these criminals alive. Then the ropes, there was a smirk, not exactly what she would have used such for but it was all becoming clear this was his job...Cop..."Interesting." She heard her voice before she realized it was coming from her lips. Henry and Aarika locked eyes before their hands began to move. Henry pointed to himself then flattened his hand palm down, and touched it to his temple. This sign was informing his matron he knew what was going on. She nodded with a grin turning a palm upwards for a finger to run across, she asked 'what now?' This time Henry repeated his first message but instead of pointing to himself he pointed to Aarika. The two were fluent in sign language, it held many uses, to get stories straight, sneak attacks, conversing in loud environments without having to strain their voice. This message was more questioning if they should approach the male or not. "Hello." The Matriarch greeted cheerfully as she pushed to her feet not even acknowledging the wiggling lump that had once been beneath her, "I'm Aarika and this here is Henry." She gestured back over her shoulder. "Keeping the streets clean are we?" She jutted her head towards Henry and he applied extra pressure upon the human's skull before letting up and moving to Aarika's side. "We were going for a pint or two..." She continued to wear smile and use non threatening body language. This one seemed a bit wound tight. "You look like you could use a beer." She pantomimed out the act of drinking while she let him ponder over her offer to join them, "My shout."
Largakh looks from one to the other while the perps were being escorted away and he traded off the evidence with the other officer. He kept his tucan gaze on their faces, but his peripherals did the detective work on their body language. Instead of reaching out a hand to shake he gives a polite wave because most do not want to touch him - whatever other half he is, it’s an affront to both orcs and anything in between. He’s actually a man of endless patience when there are no threats to innocent bystanders and that's when the orcish aggression comes out, but these two seem like a neutral party so that dangerous flicker in his eyes snuff out and only offers Aarika a half grin at her first question. “Larz meet Henry. Larz meet Aarika,” a glance to the tavern, where he was heading… He would rather have some strong elven wine, but that’s not realistic here. “Larz going there,” or he was until his ‘job’ wasn’t over. He can get one free drink whenever he pops in, but if she was willing to pay he wouldn’t deny the barkeep the coin. “Larz thank,” keeping it short, simple and low in his harsh voice. When he goes to step the arrow in his calf is realized, he doesn’t freak out or anything and if either of them tried to help he would put a hand up because orc blood is poison to most. More clenching of his jaw when he broke off the arrow, it didn’t go very deep due to his slightly thicker skin and he can take care of the rest later. Walking ahead and pulling the door open for them, but once they were in the chaos within Larz got a rowdy welcome form some while a glare from across the bar from others. He doesn’t care as he takes his usual seat at the bar with the strangers, but once everyone got their drinks and had a few sips in he asks, dumbing it down, “why help?” His gaze trails back to them and the intelligence within them may betray his act.
Gualon Grogshop
The locally famed rathskeller appears to have undergone recent renovations to bring it up to date with the city ordinances passed since its construction as one of the first buildings established in civilized New Gualon. The flautist no longer appears in employ and rumors as to his whereabouts run rampant. A hearty piano sits in his stead, built for durability over elegance. Roomy booths line the perimeter of the room for when the crowded bar is too raucous for more reserved patrons or those that desire a more clandestine rendezvous. The floor has recently been stained a deep walnut color, perhaps to counter the mild corrosive effects of fungus beer spilled one too many times. Grargh, the ever faithful barkeep of yesteryear and the years before that, presides over the bar proper, now fashioned in a large horseshoe shape, and made from the imported lumber that suggests a thriving commerce trade with other ports of call throughout the countryside. Indeed, much of the Grogshop's offerings reflect the international flavor of the bar itself. The beer selection includes Larketian to Venturillian brews, while liquor is imported from sources throughout the lands, so that only the finest are used in each cocktail concoction. The Grogshop pays homage to its roots and namesake in its famous grog the choice of many orcish inhabitants and only the heartiest humans with the strongest of constitutions.
Aarika noted the arrow in Larz's calf before he did and she would try to help seeing she had been there before, too many times. Her left hand moved to her collarbone where there was a scar in the shape of an X, that was the last arrow that had struck true. She remembered getting that son of a bitch out. "You'll have to push it all the way through." She stated while gesturing towards his injury, "Pulling it out can permanently cause ligament damage, tricky thing with arrow heads." She would try to help again later after a few drink set in but first they had to get to the drinks. Aarika slid through the door first, being a Matriarch and having a Henry shadow, it became a habit of hers. Aarika noticed all the stares that flooded their way, sure they were new comers but it was more the company, "Friends of yours?" She teased playfully waving her fingers at those who maliciously followed Larz's movements, "What a charming bunch." She kept the mood light and cheery as she weaved through the stuffed tavern to claim her own stool next to the half orc. Henry stayed on his Matron's heels with a clenched jaw and fist his expression a complete contrast to hers. "Did I really help?" She asked while her point finger rose to flag down the keep, "Whiskey please..." She watched him fetch a glass, "Oh three glasses and leave the bottle." The coin that met the bar top would halt any protest. "I was exhausted and need a quick rest." She smiled with a shrug while Henry filled the three mugs before them, "Does the city pay you well?" She inquired as she plucked a glass for her own.
Largakh slipped his soft leather jacket off and draped it over the back of his own stool which revealed he was wearing a simple short sleeve cotton gray tee shirt, but also revealed his skin condition and the fact he's muscular even though he's narrowly built. The orcs skin offsets his pleasant face along with those yellow eyes as the majority is a dark soft green color and blobs of prussian blue cut out random shapes over his arms (one can assume everywhere else except for most of his neck and face so far.) A quirked brow at her choice of drink only because he usually saves that type if drinking to poker night with his buddies, the few he has. Once the tumblers were poured he took one, raised it to them and refused anymore after the one because he didn't want to get hammered since he's got the morning shift tomorrow. He overheard someone order the blackberry ale, got distracted and seemed to grin for a moment before a nod at her question on if she really helped. The half-orc gives a shrug at the mention of his pay, “Larz not need much,” half of his pay goes to the local orphanage anyway. Larz takes note of the coin she carries, that's unusual and this keeps his detective mind occupied for the time, but another distraction when he sees the out of towner that had gotten robbed moments ago. They wandered in, looking distraught and stressed out, “Larz come back.” He excused himself before making his way to the lost seeming being, they look anxious and scared of the tall half-orc, but after a short conversation Larz pulls out his own earnings from his job and gives the guy his money back. This got a reaction he did not expect as they threw their arms around his slim waist and all Larz did in return was awkwardly pat the top of their head. The traveler runs off and Larz goes back to the pair, “Larz sorry. What Aarika do?” He looked to Henry, “what Henry do?” He sure is an orc with manners.
Aarika was the type to nurse her whiskey and the fact they were in foreign territory had Henry doing the same. Secretly he couldn't wait to be back at the barracks where he could murder a bottle to himself and crack off with Lenny. For now though he would be overly protective of Aarika. Their relationship was a very close one, it was easy for anyone to spot but under further inspection it was like a son for his mother. Aarika had rescued Henry at a young age, coincidentally enough he was orphaned by war and Aarika took him under her wing, her maternal instincts were strong. She had twins as well. The two watched the half orc as he departed their company, he had compassion and that was admirable. If she was slick enough she would attempt to replace the gold he fetched from his own pocket, sliding the coins into his abandoned jacket. Of course Henry positioned himself to block the view of her actions. "We are mercenaries." Aarika replied after he returned to his stool, "We are hired to fight for those who can't or those who are unable." She pondered over her words for a moment, "Some times, I must confess, the contracts offered aren't the noblest, however we." There was a look given to Henry before turning back to Larz, "Decide who we work for." She let the information sink in as she sipped at her amber liquor, "We are actually recruiting at the moment, looking for those brave and skilled enough to join our ranks...." She was fishing, "If you know of someone interested."
Largakh listens and finishes off his bit of whiskey which seems to have no effect in him, it's that orc blood - resistant. He was starting to feel an ache in his leg and he starts to calculate how long it would take to get to Sage and back in enough time for his shift… He would have to leave soon. Larz guessed right at their occupation and listens to her words without having to actually look at her. Mercenary work. Not his forte, but he could use the extra coin lately and he would be able to give more to the charity… Well, if he could chose his contracts then, it won't be so bad and it's not like he needs a ridiculous amount of money for defending people, “Larz does for free…” It was morally conflicting for him, but maybe he can spread some more good from this. He's quiet for a moment while considering, thinking of the kids at the orphanage, his grandparents, his only, “Larz interested,” he goes to stand and picks up his jacket, feeling the excess weight. After putting it back on he reaches in the pocket and holds the coin out to either of them, “city pay Larz back.” He selflessly was giving the gold back and explaining his job will pay him back for his good deed. If she doesn't take it he grins and says a thank you before leaving it as a tip for the barkeep. “What need from Larz?” He asks and would wait for anything she needed before giving a half grin and making his way out. If he was going to get healed he would have to move quickly.
Aarika 's smile was bright enough to lighten the dark atmosphere of the tavern, he was interested, her instincts were correct, "Ah Larz this pleases me." When he offered back the coin both her hands rose, palms facing the half orc. This was a clear motion that she wouldn't reclaim the coin, it was no longer hers and what he chose to do with it was up to him, he could have purchased himself company for the night for all she cared. Though as she sees him pass it off to the bar keep she nods, "Don't let this world corrupt you." The arrow to his calf was still noted and she had half a mind to douse his leg with whiskey, that was half the purpose for her drink of choice, but she refrained. "We have a barrack in Xalious, there you can find anything you need and being with the Collective it is all at your disposal." Aarika motioned to Henry before he began to dig into his pocket and after a few moments he produced a gold hoop earring with a special marking, "This will gain you access to the yards and know the others you spot with the same earring are your brothers and sisters." For Aarika the Collective were also her family and hoped one day he could feel the same. With a shallow bow she placed the token into the orcs hand with a soft squeeze, the lingered contact was to make up for the beginning of their introduction, she wasn't afraid to touch him like most nor would she be; they were equal regardless of race. As Larz grabbed his coat and rose to leave Aarika and Henry mirrored his actions. They would depart together despite the different destinations. "I will ask you the same question, do you need anything from us?" If he didn't then on their merry way they would go.