RP:The Cost of Betrayal

Part of the Merfolk Tale Arc

Summary: The vampire Faythe meets with the smuggler Finn, to make a bid on one of the artifacts of Mercea. The problem? She wants the one Sadie won’t sell, and is willing to pay 100 thousand pieces of gold to get it regardless.

Characters: Finn, Faythe.

Location: Port Rynvale; The Broken Barrel Inn.

Faythe 's metallic stare flashes toward the new additions - the females first as their presence is surely more note worthy in this particular establishment, and then Finn. The latter earning the most scrutiny. In fact, even as her conversation proceeds with Nasada she would continue to shoot not-so-discreet glances back toward the rogue, curious eyes peeking through loose curls. She spends a great deal of her time around the port of Rynvale; hunting, of course, and has heard some talk. She is fairly confident that he is the one she seeks - him being the reason she had sat herself in this pub in the first place. Not confident enough in her conviction to approach him at the moment, she opts to continue her casual assessment from across the room, the vampire responding to Nasada instead, "I will always worry about hurting you, lovely. But learning some control would surely lessen that concern, I suppose."

Finn : Having taken note of one unexpected pair of females, the eyes of the smuggler began his typical, careful assessment of his surroundings now that drink had been secured. An auburn brow furrowed gently. Strange faces..and none too few of them. That could be good news..or bad, depending on the reason for the activity. It was in this lazy exploration that his eyes fell upon the blonde at the counter and stilled. The pale beauty could not be more out of place in this hell hole and it peaked his interest. His eyes lingered on her companion for a moment, before wandering her way again. If he was not mistaken, he'd almost think she was also watching him. That glass lifted in idle greeting again, and some almost unseen signal on the part of the runner would find Simon moving to Faythe's side to take any order she might desire. On the House. Paid for, in fact by the red headed scoundrel. A shout of laughter from the second pair of strangers would draw an idle look. Boistrous behavior in a tavern was unlikely to cause undue attention.

Faythe rests her bare hand against the demon's forearm, steadying her frame as she cranes her neck to watch the man at the bar. Who seems to be rather invested in her by this point. By way of explanation she would point in Finn's direction, the movement kept close, between their frames so as to not be conscrued as rude,"I think he has something I need." Without further comment she would pivot within the demon's embrace, digits squeezing his arm in a silent "Be right back" gesture. The little vampire saunters right up to the man in question, pausing at his side and repeating, "I think you have something I need." Her most charming expression is fixed on petite features. Finn is right, she is significantly out of place in this particular establishment, she is only here because she had been waiting for -him-.

Finn took his time in lowering his glass to the rough bar top, an idly watchful gaze having observed the female take her leave of current confidant with the clear intention of seeking his company. His hazel gaze narrowed slightly in rugged features, skimming her form briefly again as she approached. Most strangers who approached him so directly did so either for business..or pleasure. His lips twitched. And usually the latter was tended to be done more discretely. Still it took all sorts. Her words provoked a soft laugh that was followed almost immediately by a husky drawl. “Reckon you might want to consider rewordin’ that lass.. You might give a man ideas..” he murmured into the glass that was raised and drained on a final toss. “Can I do for you darlin’?’..” He didn’t bother pretending that he was not a person one came to when one wanted things. If she had known enough to identify him, she had clearly done her homework. What it was she might want him to obtain however, would be a whole different kettle of fish.

Faythe had figured that being blunt would be her best option and apparently it was. Despite her pristine appereance and doll-like features, the little vampire is no stranger to dirty dealings. She slips nearer to his frame, elbow placed casually on the bar and used as a brace for her slight weight. A faintly demure smile is plastered on pale lips in response to his initial jest, the vampire clearly pulling out all the stops tonight for the man's benefit. She starts, "I heard you might have something in your possession... something of great interest to me. A jewelry piece, perhaps, or a pendant."

Finn was no stranger to the game, and the lass was clearly no mean player. His calloused finger reached out to tap the surface of the bar for a refill, even as his head angled to take in her appearance with an even more carefully assessing look. That faintly demure smile provoked a flash of predatory lust, almost immediately banked by her mention of specific interest in mind. Demure, she was most definitely not. If she was after what he had in mind, she was after only one thing. The power of corruption..it made her dangerous., and interesting to the runner “Oh aye?..” he drawled huskily, wrapping his fingers around freshly procured glass. “Is that what you’ve heard then lass?.. Reckon I’ve got any number of pieces like that..bein a shop owner an all..” he muttered. Did she really know what she wanted? Or was she fishing for information? “Anythin’ in particular you lookin’ for hon?”

Faythe continues to regard the man with a steady silver stare, obsidian particles swimming to converge into a black ring surrounding her iris, allowing there to be no secret of her desire."What I seek is surely not going to be found on display in your shop. I have bought out every store, I have even followed that damn traveling imp up into the clouds, nearly twisting my neck on the way down. There is nothing left in these lands that I could possibly want. Except what you have. A necklace." Her expression is meaningful, gaze poignant- clearly indicating that she has some idea of what it is she seeks. Whether the rumors she's heard are true or not, she has no clue, but she is clearly prepared to pay big to find out.

Finn was hard pressed not to utter a curse. Lust. The lass was after the piece that would provoke desire..the one piece the dammed captain was unwilling to part with..willingly. If he was to get his hands on that item it would have to be stolen from his source..which would drive up its price. Considerably. Openly, the runner feigned thoughtfulness as he allowed his gaze to rest upon her almost hypnotic own. “Mhmm. Reckon I might access to what you’re wantin’ lass..but it won’t be an easy delivery. Would cost you some..what are you willin’ to stake to get your hands on this…necklace?..” he murmured. He’d told the captain..told her, that piece would be the money maker. Pity the fool would not see the profits she would have otherwise if she’d been willing to co-operate.

Faythe catches her lower lip between her teeth in thought, musing over his question, adopting the same laxidasical quality that the man himself seems to carry in his tone. A casual smile accompanies her reply, "I figured as much." The petite blonde trails off then. She recognizes that the best rule of commerce is to not be the first to suggest the price. She would surely sell her soul to have the object they speak of, hand over her savings, anything he demanded in exchange, really. But she does know know what constitutes a considerable cost in his mind. After several moments she would flash a brilliant smile, "I suppose if I asked you what YOU would want sell the necklace we would go in circles all night?"

Finn likewise, knew better than to shoot low. Far better to over reach and haggle down, than to lose out. His eyes met hers, cooly steadfast. "Reckon one hundred thousand gold pieces might about cover the cost of recovery.." he murmured, watching her carefully for her reaction. He would be sore with himself if instinct told him he'd undershot the market value of the item

Faythe manages to maintain her air of nonchalance for the most part, although her gaze would narrow even as her expression remains neutral, making it impossible to tell if she is excited or stricken by the price. In reality she is neither, the price is what she would have offered had she done so herself. It is... do-able. What she had expected. "That shall be my offer then," she replies with a pleasant smile. "I understand you're holding a bidding war of sorts over these pieces... if that drunk at the dock was accurate, and I'm starting to believe he was... " trails off briefly before returning to her orginal thought, "Regardless. If I offered a deposit could I ensure that you allow me the opportunity to bid over any competitors?" Attempts to make her offer sound appealing, smiling sweetly and holding his gaze with wide eyes.

Finn’s gaze narrowed slightly. The fact that she had the gold to attempt to top a bid of one hundred thousand was..telling. His glass was lifted to his lips again. “Reckon that’s up to you lass. I’m not in the habit of takin’ payment till I’ve made my delivery. If you had gold over for biddin’ rights..an’ it turns out I can’t deliver..gold’s gone, sso’s you understand.” he drawled. She was asking for the once piece the seller was unwilling to part with..and there were no guarantees that he’d get the artifact..though he’d sure as hell about die trying for the amount of gold on the table. “If you can live with those terms I’ll take your deposit darlin’ an I’ll get back to you on how the deals gonna shake out..if it is..”

Faythe doesn't actually have the gold to top it, interestingly enough. Finn surely does not appreciate the lengths she would go to for this piece. Which is probably a good thing and why she continues her charade, leaning closer toward the male, a sizable deposit slipped from her finely gloved digits into his. "I understand. Let's consider it more of a sign of good faith, then. A remembrance of the much greater amount to come." She pushes off the bar, weight shifted backward as if preparing to leave, "You'll be seeing me soon, I'm sure." Faythe gave 20000 gold to you.

Finn said to Faythe, "Aye, that I will I reckon. If you leave a note with Simon here for Red, it'll get to me. May I have the pleasure of knowin' with whom I'm dealin' darl?"

Finn said to Faythe, "Pleasure darlin'.. Be seein' you aorund."

Faythe said to Finn, "You know it. "

Finn :With that, the runner would push himself to his feet, nodding to the blonde as he moved from the bar. A quick glance would be tossed in the direction of the door where the familiar form of the healer seemed set to depart before he’d turn his attention to the stairs. Their time for a less distracted reunion would come soon enough. And then, in a matter of strides, he was gone, disappearing into the shadows above.