RP:What's Due

Part of the A Few Fox Tales Arc

This is a Rogue's Guild RP.

Summary: Ina Reports in, Makes a complete mess of a tender moment between Leo & Lora, and gets appointed Crow-Boss.

The Orphanage Cellar

Down a short flight of thirteen steps is a small storage room filled with meager supplies. Crates of coal, ragged blankets and bedding stacked on shelves. Bags of wheat, flour, and boxes of second-hand clothing and used toys. A dark oak frame against the south wall designates what appears to be a door with no handle. There is a symbol no larger than the rim of a glass burnt into the center of the wood. It could easily be perceived as a cross barby, although fused into the design is a portrayal that some might recognize as four black birds, wingtips touching as they fly in opposite directions. Within this mark is a circular indent that does not appear to be a typical keyhole, but it is the only answer for getting beyond that mysterious barrier.

Loravelle can't help the ache in her chest at his words. It's entirely an assumption, but how many people have abandoned Leo for him to be so concerned with her running away from him? Her hand takes his once he cups her jaw, guiding it up just a little bit further to her cheek. She leans into his palm, his calloused fingers. Her head dips just a little to press a kiss into the heel of his palm, then his wrist. “Habibi,” she murmurs, grey eyes lifting to meet his blue. “I'm not going to run away. You aren't hurting me.” Maybe reassuring words weren't enough. “How can I prove this to you? That I'm yours?”

Leoxander remembered that word and what it meant. He exhaled heavily from his large, sun-speckled nose and enjoyed that moment of her hand on his, cupping her features. Suddenly, his head turned toward the unlocked door thirteen steps above.

Ina glides into the orphanage- in this case quite literally, given that the foxkin's guise for the day is that of a raven. Albeit one which -would- be notably weird, given that it's clutching a pouch in its talons. Whilst the curious display is enough to coax the attention of an inquisitive orphan, the birds adept enough at keeping ahead to ensure that their erratic flight leads the kid face-first into a wall. Something which then provides corvid-esque chameleon a sufficient bit of distance to drift over towards where her gut instincts were telling her to go. Down the set of stairs, she goes, a grim Messenger on Onyx Wing- "AAAAAAAH." Her internal monologue goes out the window at about the point she realizes she just bungled into something that feels intensely personal. "AHHHH." The Bag of holding drops out of her talons, spilling a variety of pilfered knickknacks, and a fresh batch of scales across the floor. "Why aren't you in a room? A ROOM WITH A LOCK."

Loravelle 's brows furrow, wondering initially if her questions were too much for the moment. Then Leo's head turns, and her gaze follows his, only to have her ears assailed by the sound of a very loud bird. ...That talks. Lovely. She's startled, but it's only a bird, right? ...A talking one, but... Her hand lets go of the pirate's to cover her ears and shield herself from some of that bird's screeching, and the sound of whatever happened to be in its bag scattering across the floor. She'll stay perched on that crate Leo set her down on, but she's eyeing the exit.

Leoxander recognized an Ina when he saw one. Her disguises weren’t getting by the pirate, anymore. And there might be a ‘gdamnit’ grumble as he withdrew his hand from the crate-seated maidservant in reach. “Wasn’t the cake damn well enough? You already owe me some leathers.” He glanced at the spill of knick-knacks and treasure, if you could consider the scales as such. Letting go of Loravelle, obviously. “A’right. I get your point. Yer in. In fact…” He grit his teeth for a moment, wishing he’d kept the last of the bottle he and Mahri had shared. “You quit bein’ so damn annoying an’ you can lead your own bloody army. How’s that sound?” He was desperate when it came to the foxkin. She’d be cause for hackles to rise, either way - better to have the bookie on his team.”You mess up my plans? I’ll skin an’ wear you for the next gala, savvy?”

Ina hops forward in that way only birds do, head bobbing to pull another oversized scale free from the semi-crumpled bag, and send it surfing along the ground. "I'd think yer leathers are already reimbursed there." The laugh that pops out from her gullet comes out sharp, but eases off quickly- Allowing Ina to fill the void with an almost palpable sense of smugness. One that doesn't really abate when Leo finally acknowledges her- as it causes her small feathered chest to puff out. "...Ja know- I think I can work with that. N' I think ja know by now that ya shouldn't have to worry about me messin' up your plans." There's a pause, and the bird gives Loravelle a surprisingly keen look, "Might help if ya put up a Do Not Disturb sign the next time ya lookin' ta play with the miss, though. "That comment provided, the raven backsteps, one talon kicking open the bag, if only so she can step back into it partways- leaving just her head exposed from the otherwise pancaked bag. "Don't got anythin' running yer -worried- about, do ya?"

Loravelle is a little slow with what exactly Ina -is-, but she thinks she understands. That's the naga from Rynvale. ...Maybe the polar bear bookie? “Grr?” She can't believe she's doing this. Perhaps doing what she does best and keeping her mouth shut might be the wisest move for Lora, so she does just that. She wants to bury her face in her hands at the crow-naga-polar bear shapeshifter says about 'playing with the miss', but instead she glares at Leo with a very rare, irritated, 'I'm going to strangle this bird if it doesn't hush' look. Since leaving is likely going to be difficult with a talking bird and probably traumatized orphans up the stairs, she tries to get comfortable on that crate and just find a spot on the wall that's interesting to look at until this is all over.

Ina said to Loravelle, "Grr~"

Leoxander barely resisted the urge to growl. He’d dealt with something like this in the past. In a form of a rat known as Rowen, who had, incredibly, become an asset on his previous ship. However, this trickster was of an entirely different calibre and it would take some getting used to. “We’ve just opened the deal, give me a (censored) break.” The pirate replied crudely to the newly appointed ‘Crow’. “Why don’t you adopt that form in the future?” It was far less suspicious than an orc, or a polar bear. As much as he didn’t want to pick up Ina’s mess, it would do no good for that spread to remain on the floor of what was supposed to be an inconspicuous cellar, so he began to gather it back into the bag. “Quit makin’ this work more than it needs to be or I’ll pluck you raw.” He looked back toward Lora at that point. “Head back home. I’ll be there after they’re asleep.” If she complied, which he figured she would, he turned his attention on Arlyeon. "You're here, now. You delivered. I gave you the offer for a job. What else you want?"

Ina dips entirely into the bag, a feat which would be less uncanny were it not for the fact she -wasn't- visible when he was returning the various items to its depths. Each new one simply plunks in, only to vanish once they're no longer in view. What's likely -more- disconcerting is the slender arm which juts out a moment later, as a full-sized Ina pulls the bag of Holdings opening wide and abruptly spills out. A feat she manages to do so smoothly, she propels herself over Leo's arms- and straight onto the ground. "...Pfft." The fox, now as herself, begins to brush herself off, with an extra bit of care taken to the shirt she's wearing. After all, it's a sample of what she's going to be bringing to the next Titan of Winter Match, given it displays an image of a Surprised Looking Demeter on the front. The back's just about as flattering, too, given it's been sorcerously scribed with flaming text that reads, 'Tar Pits Kill People?' "I mean, It's a form I -will- adopt, but- There's a point n' purpose ta havin' a memorable guise. It gives people a clear person to complain against. To mistrust, 'n hold grudges. I'd rather give 'em a target that lets me know they're searchin, n' leads to a dead end- then something..." She gestures off to the side, before handily retrieving her bag of holding from Leo, and promptly vanishing it up a sleeve. "Details on tha' job and tha' role you need me to play, iffun yer wantin' me ta lead. I didn't say no to that invite of an army, but I'd like ta know what I'm gettin' into. I'm a professional- s'means I want ta do the job right- Savvy?"

Leoxander was starting to get used to Arlyeon’s mysterious technique, though he found it no less bothersome. After a while, he might give up, but he didn’t intend to leave that trail on the ground by the end of the night. “Look, you’re workin’ for me or your workin’ on your own. I don’t need another g’damned rival on my radar but you’re startin’ to push me with what I’ve offered you in my game. You know the Tournament goin’ on? You’d know that I defeated a lot more than necessary this year to claim a title everyone else has forgotten. An’ you’re startin’ to piss me the (censored) off.” Maybe that was Ina’s goal, to get under his skin, but he’d offered her a decent deal and wasn’t going to be undermined - not ever again. “I don’t need you. I’m offerin’ you an opportunity.”

Inas' posture shifts almost immediately- but it's not the wary defensiveness she'd shown in the old habit. There's a certain confidence there now, an easygoing self-contentment that sees her meandering over to a wall and leaning back against it. If she was a potential rival, that meant she -had- done enough. "And I didn't say no. I jus' said- if yer' gonna be barkin' orders, I think It'd be good to know what the expectations are. 'm Good at figurin' things out, but ya seem tha' type to like things being done your way. So, let's chat. I'm all ears right now." In fact, the sheer difference in her level of focus might be a bit disconcerting- since there's not a hint of easy-going distractedness anymore.

Leoxander was drained, mentally, physically, emotionally… but he did well not to show it. “You already know you’d provide a decent asset. I ain’t callin’ you stupid when you already get what I’m about.” Hell, any poster within miles radius or rumours in taverns could explain what the pirate Leoxander was about. “I thought you’d be a good fit, but I’m done givin’ reins over, if you can understand that. I’m not losin’ this bet.” A year behind cell bars had been enough time to decide that. “You know more than you should, and now it’s all up to you whether you’re an enemy or a friend.”

Ina might not be able to pick up on the exhaustion, but there was something about how quickly Leo's nerves had frayed today that stuck with the fox. To business it was, then. "I want tha' Crows. If you say I can lead, I'll take you up on it, There's always been somethin' about that little niche that seemed a bit like home." The grins still there, but it's muted now- as the cards are put on the table, "Which I guess means- I think I'd quite like ja as a friend." Even if he was a bit touchy.

Leoxander fixed a look on Arlyeon she might be used to, but not from the pirate. He didn’t boast his abilities in battle or remark on his survival. He didn’t play that ‘I’ll destroy you’ card often. But his blue eyes were steel on her, now. “You’ll lead under my lead.” He stated soundly, in a voice she might take to be serious. “You do that, I’ll make sure you lead a healthy life with plenty of benefits.” He managed to rally his aggression quiet again although his eyes were catching some light to reflect the bestial glow of lens a bit. “But you cross me, you question me again… things won’t be so simple.” He’d been crossed too many times before. “Other’n that… nothin’ to worry for.”

Ina can read between the lines well enough. There's a lot that's required for folks to scrabble to the top of the carrion pile- and the look he'd affixed her was something she was amply familiar with- as was the subtle tension in the air. And while the salute she offers in response to his comment of leadership could be considered cheeky- she's careful to keep a straight face the whole while, before adopting a posture more readily suited for a soldier at attention. And yet. And yet- while his eyes might flicker with the vestiges of a beast chained and kept at bay through force of will- hers flicker with the muted light of indignation, "I dun' cross peers." The other implied command she keeps quiet on. His fuse was short enough in the moment. without quibbling about the possibilities of a bad call. "Nothin' to it, then. So anythin' pendin', or is that me dismissed til' further orders?"

Leoxander had just a short bit left until his temper surfaced, but he’d managed well enough so far. He had dealt with trouble like her before, though perhaps not in the same dynamic calibre. “I get the scale was a bit lame. But I’m gonna put faith into you with a hard bounty should you abuse the power. Fair warning - I’ll give you the chance to make this work for all of us. Clean slate. Fair?” Somehow, the pirate had gained some patience, a necessary thing when so many were involved in the greater scheme. “What do I call you? You seem to gain a new name every other day. I expect you'll be there next duel."

Ina s' expression warms, slightly when he acknowledges the scale test- though that also simultaneously serves to instill a bit of restlessness into her, enough so that she feels the need to draw her hands up behind her head and fold them. "Fair. N' appreciated, too." Though it simultaneously begged a different sort of question- such as what had her predecessors done. Perhaps the intensity of the situation was due to her nature as an outlier, but she'd be apt to wager that sure as anything- it was just as much a matter of history. That said, the time for speculating could come later, "I'd say Tail- but I'm guessin' ya mean off the job. So, Trish. Same as the name on the sign for the business I run, Trish' Untamed Treasures." Which...was now going to include the leftover scales from Jaxson and Diin's battle. Hopefully, she could craft it into -something- nice, though- she was still lamenting the inaccessibility of the blossom-blighted corpse. "Oh, 'n yeah- I'm gonna be at the next match. I wouldn't be makin' merch for it if I wasn't." Not without accomplices, anyways.

Leoxander took note of the true name, but he replied. “Tail, it is. I’ll have work for you soon enough.” Meanwhile, he drew a chain from his pocket and hoped she understood the repercussions on going back on accepting that emblem that provided disguise. “You’ll be able to do a bit more with this, I suspect.” He wasn’t outright pointing out the new door in that cellar, but clever as she was, she might just figure it out. “Jus’ know, I’ll find you if you betray our accord, Trish.” A threat, but a general caution all the same. “I think we’ll do much better workin’ together. I’ll see you soon.” That token given, he headed upstairs rather than through the keyless door, to continue his prowl.

Ina may be in the process of formulating the next good prank as a response to the latest threat. It's entirely possible- but it'd be hard to discern given the beatific expression on her face. "Here's hopin'." Suffice to say, she'd be more than happy to allow Leo the leeway to prowl onwards, rather than dog his steps. Something which would be apt to lead to her seeing the sights, insofar as their new headquarters were concerned. "Have a good evenin'."