RP: Knots and Severed Ties

Part of the Dissonance Theory arc

Summary: Rilla congratulates Leoxander on his first round Titans of Winter win with drinks and an impromptu catchup in Frostmaw, revealing her concerns that her absence wouldn't be noticed in time for the Warriors Guild to stop followers of Xicotl were she to get caught trying to locate them.

Theoretically Rilla could have used recruits to get this work done, but most of them were human. Squishy and warm and needing to remain that way. Instead the redhead holed up inside of Frostmaw tavern as a base camp, working outward away from it looking for - what? She shot Drargon an apologetic glance before securing diagonal corners of her map to the table that she pulled closer to her oversized chair near the fire. Her jacket crumpled around her thin frame, weighed down by the blades tucked away into it, revealing pale skin underneath in her usual all black tank top. Leaning forward, auburn curls fell over her shoulders, the warm glow of the hearth forcing the chill from her bones that she could never get out on her own. In ink she began to strike through an area with light strokes, just another part of the snowy land that surrounded where she was looking for a figurative needle. “Aye, Dragron.” Rilla straightened up, locking eyes with the man and offering a crooked grin. “I’m all settled up from last night, no?” She stood, boots untied and loose as she padded to the bar to toss over another bag of coin. “How do you feel about keeping it going tonight? If I go over, I’ll be back tomorrow anyway.” She shrugged, flashing her most charming smile as he prepared her whiskey (neat, of course) and slid it across to her with a warning not to cause trouble. “I would never.” Rilla laughed as she turned to pad back to the spot she’d inhabited most nights this month.

Leoxander would be the only fool caught in Frostmaw without a jacket or winter wear. The heat of his lycanthrope blood was literally visible in faint tendrils of steam as he stepped inside the tavern, instinctively stomping packed, dirty snow from the tread of his boots while rolling back the cuffs of a long sleeved black shirt to his forearms, revealing some designs of ink. Blond hair had darkened from the dampness of melted snow, clinging to his features which had been shaved a day or so prior, but already shadowed with stubble of a stubborn beard. His unpleasant expression just came naturally, not so much the solemn frown but the furrow of his brow giving him that look of being annoyed by something - likely an empty flask. So a pit stop would be made from the snow covered training grounds where he’d recently witnessed a second round of competitors in Frostmaw’s tournament. Blue eyes barely visible in his squint took in the room and the lack of crowd, landing upon Rilla just as she turned with tumbler in hand. “You read my mind…” The rogue drawled deeply, approaching the red haired woman with a reach that intended to steal that drink right from her hands, unless she denied him. It was more or less a playful attempt at theft, anyhow. Dragon immediately glowered, for the mere fact Leo had returned to his establishment after a long season of peace and quiet, or at least less trouble than this wolf had given him in the past.

Rilla smelled Leo before she saw him, meeting his gaze once she’d turned around. She let him have the glass with a playful smirk. “Funny, seems like I’ve got a way of doing that.” Rilla shook her head at the wolf, if you blinked you’d miss it but as she turned back to Drargon she winked at Leo. “I’ve got his too,” she agreed, “I hear he won his fight and might’ve earned it.” The man was already getting her another one ready as she backtracked to retrieve it. Bare shoulders revealed tattoos of feathered wings that disappeared down her back and underneath the curtain of her curls. “If he’s hungry, let’s get him fed too. Not like I’m eating the food.” Rilla teased the barkeep who shook his head at her, she figured he liked it even if he didn’t want to admit it and it kept things fresh. Drink once more in hand, the young vampire headed back to her seat, nodding her head towards the oversized seat across from it around the map she’d been slowly shading in. “Dinner’s on me, have a seat.” Rilla sat back in hers, crossing one leg over the other as she sipped at the whiskey she’d procured. “I figured you’d be back on the prowl by now. I’m glad I caught you. I’ve been pretty much stuck out this way lately save for a meeting.” Slender shoulders shrugged and the young vampire flashed a smile at Leo. “How’s my favourite wolf?”

Leoxander took whatever the barkeep had poured her in a single shot, the back of his bandaged hand wiping a bit of liquor from the corner of his mouth. The look Dragron leveled on him went a few shades darker when he tapped the tumbler on the counter in gesture for a refill, and although greatly tempted to find a low shelf bottle of pisswater, he already had Rilla’s brand in hand. He ignored the satisfied smirk barely visible on the rogue’s features as Leo turned to find a seat on a bench alongside the fireplace, not right next to the vampire but not too far away to socialize. “What’s next, a collar?” He retorted before she used the nickname he’d heard a time or two before, in response to her offer to feed him. Settling into that usual slouch with a bit of a wince due to a bandaged back, he rested one arm across the upper leg not sporting a strip of leather tied over the glimpse of gauze and held that glass of whiskey between a few fingers between his knees. “Sore as hell, but I’ll live. Damned vampire didn’t wanna give up. Shoulda seen him lap the grounds like a bloody peacock at the start. Least he’ll always have show business goin’ for him.” The first dose of whiskey was still burning, but he took another swallow that left his second half full. “Heard I’m up against that winged blaggard with all the…” A motion made around his face and chest, indicating something that decorated his opponent. “...leaves or some spit, again.” He didn’t say ‘spit’, of course. “Fought him a few seasons back in the same tourney.”

Rilla had been paying well and Drargon had been giving her decent liquor at least. Not like it mattered as long as it burned on the way down to warm her inside out. She pulled her chair closer to her table, eyes flashing from Leo’s face to the map she’d been considering for far too long. Until she was actually there, there would be no answers. Looking over the rogue, Rilla shook her head. “I’m not into that.” She laughed, downing the rest of her drink in one go which seemed to be the cue for something. From across the room a barmaid stood from her table to get her another. Rilla’s head tilted to follow her movement but she didn’t look away. “You’ll have to excuse me, there’s no one else I used to know left anymore.” She cleared her throat and set down her empty glass, sitting back in her chair with a shrug. “I’ve always said that most people don’t fight in those to be the best. You fight in them for clout and ego. If you have something to prove.” The girl approached with her drink, exchanging a friendly greeting and a thank you before she scurried away again. “Looks like he got you good though, theatrics or no.” Rilla teased, wrinkling her nose as she flashed a smile that was quickly hidden behind the rim of her glass. “I’ve always figured that anything that flies has the advantage on dry land. Did you win the first time around?” She said as the liquor burned through her chest. Her fingers tapped against her glass. “Anyway, if your opponent is getting range you best bring ranged weapons instead of the same bull---- swords everyone swears by. Bigger is not always better.”

Leoxander shrugged a shoulder at her synopsis of the war games. She wasn’t entirely wrong. “Maybe I do. I could make the excuse boredom, but I know you wouldn’t buy that. If I’m bein’ honest…” Which the rogue did on rare occasion with a trusted few. “I could use the money. I’ve got a ship to fix and heads to hunt.” He finished his drink in turn, and would hold the empty glass idly unless the barmaid happened to take pity upon the rogue and refill it as well. “Course not.” He answered her question flatly. “Shi was in it. Seems he’s earned himself a helluva reputation up here.” Leo glanced around the stone tavern, taking a moment to observe the mounted heads and trophies of animal parts collecting dust on the walls. “Not bad advice, but I’ve seen more magic than anything, so far. Somethin’ I ain’t exactly versed in. Gonna have to find a way around that.” He murmured thoughtfully, almost to himself, before a change of direction in the conversation. “So what you been up to since the whole… cargo haul.” A faint gesture made as though it would clarify the code in that question. He finally straightened up his posture a bit, enough that firelight illuminated his features rather than cast extra shadows under his eyes. Eyes that caught the flicker of flame every so often, and spun eerie reflections of green and gold.

Rilla shook her head, the golden ring within her crystalline eyes flashing back the light from the fire, revealing her for what she was despite the crooked grin and easy smile. “What do you need?” Brows raised as she leaned forward, uncrossing her legs to rest an arm on each thigh, cradling her drink between them in both hands. “When you’re already basically dead, you spend way less money on food and shelter and have way more time on your hands.” She shrugged, casting the hollows of her collarbones into shadow, the little gold ring on it’s chain hanging from her throat. “I could use familiar nonsense instead of this thrall business.” She explained calmly, much to the surprise of the girl who returned with another drink for Leoxander. Rilla shot her an apologetic glance, and in return got a look of mild concern and confusion. Clearing her throat, she tapped one heel lightly. “As far as the magic, I’ve found the same thing. Half of them would probably die if they couldn’t use it, but that’s not likely in an arena.” She bit her cheek, it wasn’t like Rilla hadn’t considered the exact same issue, but she hadn’t found a single solution yet. “Since the haul.” She considered it for a moment, watching the rogue as he straightened. “Been busy searching for a group I think are holed up out here in the wilderness somewhere.” She acknowledged. It wasn’t a secret, at least not since the attack on Strauss when they had known to be there ahead of time. “It’s kinda hard when everyone’s human and they die if they get too cold.” Blue eyes flashed as they rolled and she straightened up as well. “I assume you’ve been on the prowl since the haul? Been finding decent work?”

Leoxander chuffed a low laugh in his chest and exchanged his empty glass for the fresh triple, as she didn’t have the same detest for the rogue that Drargon did. He offered a slight nod of unspoken thanks to the barmaid and turned his attention back to Rilla. “You tryin’ to buy me out’a the fight?” For a thief, it seemed strange that he wouldn’t take a handout. But there was more sport in earning it illegally, or through some blood and bruises. Still, he wasn’t one to fall over a missed opportunity. “Here an’ there. Might be able to help you out with findin’ yer mark. Or whatever you mean to find’em for. Though you know I’m the type that won’t pass up a favor in return. Hell, you might already owe me one.” Although she wasn’t the ringleader in their recent foray on the ocean, Leo had followed through for her acquaintances. “I could think of a few things you could give me a hand with…” He broke another slight wince as he leaned his back against the wall behind him, taking another deep drink from his cut glass while his eyes lingered upon the mix of icy blue and gold.

Rilla, in general, was a good patron. She left knife marks in floors and furniture, but this was Frostmaw; she wasn’t the first one. Since returning and finding work, allies, and easy marks she’d had mostly easy going. There was no need for a place of her own when she preferred to run if she was going to be alone. “Not at all,” Rilla assured with a smile, “in fact I hope you win. But if you remind me you did for ages after, we won’t be friends anymore.” Eyebrows raised and she tongued her cheek playfully before downing half her drink and resting it on the arm of her chair, hand rested overtop of the opening. “What good are you to me looking for things in the snow?” Rilla questioned sceptically, eyeing the wolf. “I guess at least you won’t freeze out there.” Her gaze lingered on his injuries, head tilted with concern as he moved. “I got a promotion recently,” Rilla downed the other half of her glass and leaned over, looking behind her to meet Drargon’s gaze and nod that yes, she did want another. “To Lieutenant Commander with the Warriors Guild. I’ll probably ask the dragon and avian who joined to help me get a better look.” She shrugged and pushed auburn curls back from her face, watching Leo’s reaction. “But you can do me a favour - if I disappear one’a these days and the troops don’t know where I am yet, try to find me. I’m working my way out from the city.” Her jaw clenched and she looked away. “I’m not sure anyone’d come after me if I was by myself like they would Lionel.” Her words were soft and hesitant, and as soon as another drinks as presented she downed it. “That’s enough for me.” Rilla told the girl as she handed back her glass. “But I do owe you one. So name it, Leo.” That crooked grin tugged over her features, shrugging off the tension of her admission.

Leoxander held a calm look in half closed eyes and a smirk tugged faintly between the corner of his mouth and the facial hair starting to grow back in. “Like to think myself not one to roll in my own muck an’ think it smells like roses.” The pirate had a strange way of wording things, but she’d probably get the meaning behind it. He quieted when it was her moment to speak, the smirk fading from his features and his eyes alike. “I’ve been known to track a few prints in my time, but if you got it covered, cheers.” With that and a slight raise of tumbler, he finished that last swallow and set the glass on the bench beside him, crossing tattooed arms loosely over his chest. “You mention the solitude a lot. You really think yourself that alone in the world?” Usually he didn’t bother with serious, sentimental crap. But he could in fact relate to Rilla more than he would admit. There had been no shaggy dog to drag his washed up form into dry sand this time around. So many memories and faces were lost in a fog. It was only very recently he’d returned to a semblance of a man he recognized from long ago. He gave her ample time to respond, if she decided to do so, but wouldn’t linger on the topic for too long knowing the emotions it might dig up. “I guess I won’t be needin’ to find the old ship, but I do need some new able bodies to call me Captain when I get this new girl fixed up. Might be an opportunity for you to make some new friends. Or enemies.” A hand lifted from it’s tucked spot to idly scratch some of the whiskers on his jaw. “Or if you know someone savvy in countering magic, I wouldn’t mind paying a visit. Long as I don’t find them on the courtyard in the comin’ weeks.”

“Just checking,” Rilla laughed, “some people really like to rub it in your face. It’s great that you can win a fight you were able to prepare for,” she smirked, “but that’s not the world I live in or you live in and I know you know that.” Sitting back, she held the arms of the chair in her hands. Her fingers tapped against them in time with Leo’s heartbeat. Tuning out the sounds was always the hard part. “Best to use the guild, I’m not looking to lose my best pirate in the snow. You belong by the water.” She shrugged it off, unconcerned with whether he was offended or not as she shifted in her chair, pulling her legs up onto it to sit cross-legged. She rested her hands on her thighs, fingers tapping lightly against her thick leggings. “Don’t you?” Rilla asked seriously, looking away from Leo as she wrinkled her nose. Rilla was quiet for a beat, drawing a breath before she looked back at him. “I’m not really close with anyone.” She cleared her throat, more cautious than before. “And you’re the only person since then who’s remembered me at all. None of these people would fight for me.” She laughed bitterly and shook her head. “If I disappeared they wouldn’t think anything of it. No one would miss me until they needed me to run headfirst into the metaphorical fire.” With a one shouldered shrug, Rilla flashed a smile of apology and licked her lips. She pushed herself up on the arms of the chair. “I think I was wrong about that last drink.” She called out and Drargon waved her off dismissively. Rilla just laughed and plopped back into the chair, shaking off her own tension. There was no drink coming. “All those people from before, we all thought we’d always know each other and they’re all long gone. You must feel their absence too?” Her head cocked to one side, half a smile daring to tug at her lips as she looked through shards of hair. “I’ll never turn down work on a ship, if you’ve got a job you can always find me. The magic I can’t help you with. Some kind of .... anti-magic, maybe? Khitti would be the best person to ask.”

Leoxander afforded a rare but subtle smile at her words about the water. It didn’t sting so much, now, that he had a ready vessel on his horizon. A nod followed her words and he broke eye contact for a moment, looking toward the fire that mirrored in his sometimes animalistic eyes. For some unknown reason, the hand he’d lifted for a chin scratch rubbed knuckles over the center of his chest, and if her senses were aware all around, picking up his strong heartbeat and the heat that ran through his blood, she might see a strange flicker of blue light dance between the drop of his clavicle bones for a brief moment. “Not ‘no one’...” He replied in a quiet, deep tone, some drying strands of unkempt hair somewhat veiling the stare that roamed back toward her. Her words drew some sobriety back into his expression and the corners of his jaw tightened a bit. “Hard to miss what you can’t remember. Most of the time… I figure it’s best just not to know.” He recalled the conversation he’d -almost- had with Dezerae. Unable to figure out why she didn’t still hate him until she told him of how many seasons had passed between that day, and his last memory of her. Her and others. A child he could only recall in dreams that were anything but soothing. Shaking the thought from his mind, he focused quickly upon the alternative topic. “I don’t think yer girl “Khitti” is especially fond o’ me, Rill.” What, too lazy to include the ‘a’? She’d have another nickname in due time, should he find some of that time in her company, again. “Haven’t a damn clue why, but could feel the daggers in her eyes back in the J.R…” That actually made him grunt a breath of a sarcastic chuckle. “Prolly don’t wanna know. Guess it ain’t easy to trust a hungry wolf.” Some of the darkness melted out of his gaze as he looked at his empty glass, toward the bar staff, and back to her. “Well, I should get goin’ before the next snow hits. They ain’t exactly fond enough of me here to offer bread n’ board, and I haven’t seen the Silver in a short bell.” Equivalent in rogue-talk for a ‘hot-minute’. “You gonna come to the bout if you don’t freeze out there?” His next fight, he meant.

Rilla nodded right back to Leo, her smile mirroring his. She couldn’t tune him out, his heartbeat had hammered in her ears since he walked in. Nothing personal, Rilla just never learned not to listen to it. Suddenly something she wouldn’t have heard as a human was a constant count in the back of her mind when she was around people. At least Leo gave her something else to focus on. Her brows tugged together at the flicker of blue, evening out as just as quickly as she found herself under the weight of his gaze. Set off guard by his words, she met his stare. Neither of them quite human. With a nod, she looked away, into the flames. She didn’t breathe, her head tilted toward him to indicate that she was listening. “I don’t know what’s best for you, but I know that I would never be able to let it go.” Rilla laughed, pulling her leather jacket around her shoulders. “But it’s hard when you don’t know what you don’t know. You’ve gotta decide how you want to live.” She straightened out, stretching her legs out in front of her before crossing one over the other, tying the laces absently as she listened. “That’s just Khitti, I’d be surprised if she has strong feelings.” She shrugged, “Khitti is, however, the most knowledgeable person I’ve found. Short of that, maybe something runic could protect you? The mage’s guild could likely direct you.” She suggested, switching legs to tie up the other boot, her hair hiding her face from view until her shoulders shifted with a breath and she looked up at him with an easy smile. “I’ll do my best to be there if I haven’t been kidnapped yet.” She winked at him, standing and tugging a dagger from two corners of her map to let it roll up. “Find me sooner next time,” she flashed a crooked smile, “I think we’ve got more to talk about. Eventually. For the time being, you can find me here if you need a drink.”