Sal watched the denizens of Lhavit go by as he and Brandon chatted. While their talk was all business - shady business at that - he found himself enjoying the conversation despite the somewhat rough start. Maybe it was the sense of excitement and anticipation that lingered in the corners of his mind, at the prospect of dethroning one of the 'kings' of the Lhavitian underground. But it may have been something more simple than that. He liked strangers, of which he met and conversed with many in his line of work as an investigator. Questions needed to be asked, information gathered and facts compiled. Most of this could not be performed in silence, and no doubt any success Sal could be said to have had with his job was thanks in part to his ability to interact with others.
That strangers were his preference was something new. He'd always been a strong believer in family and friends. Indeed, here was here today in order to try and help a friend out. But in recent times, familiarity had proven to be unwelcome. It was a byproduct of being, for the most part, an honest man. He had kept secrets this season, namely his becoming an Azenth. But the longer he stayed around friends, the greater the burden of carrying that secret.
Not so with strangers though. There were no expectations, no preconceived notions of who or what he was. Let strangers have their assumptions or impressions, but ultimately he was a blank canvas when meeting someone knew, and could add as much color as he wanted in broad strokes or with finesse technique. So then, as Brandon continued, Sal was unable to deny he was enjoying himself.
"Well, apparently he's been cheating all along. It's only recently someone had the balls to say something," Sal offered, adding to the rumors. Of course, his information was coming from someone who was actually there, not just hearing it on the grapevine or around the campfire as it were. The whole issue of why his friend was there to begin with was a matter for another time, and Sal would certainly have a stern word or two to say about it. If he was completely honest, he was doing this more for the man's wife and children. They were the real victims of a foolish husband, and should not have to be held accountable. The fact that his friend had been cheated only made Sal's decision to help easier. He wondered if he would have been as willing if the coins were lost fair and square. It was a question he chose to ignore for now.
“So, let me guess. You want me to go retrieve that lost money? How much are we talking about, ‘cause that guy is dangerous, you know," Brandon asked next.
_____"Actually, I was thinking 'we' would go retrieve the money. It's not that I don't trust you. I don't. But I'd rather be there all the same." In truth it would not have sat right with Sal to send someone to do his dirty work. What if Brandon got himself hurt, or worse yet, killed? Sal could not live with that, and one of the things his father had always taught him was the lesson about taking responsibility instead of avoiding it. Even if Brandon made protest, Sal would not be swayed on that point. It was a team effort, of the bat was out.
"Not only does he have bodyguards, but he is fast with the knife too! That’s what I’ve been told anyway." Brandon's statement was not far off the truth. Burton Tally was something of an artist when it came to knife play, and it would have been foolish for either of them to underestimate the thief's ability, as well as his willingness to use it. To answer the younger man, Sal discretely pulled his sleeve up a few inches and held a hand out. A flame flickered into life, just for a few moments for the bat to see it, before Sal closed his hand once more and pulled down the sleeve.
_____"We have that, should it come to it,", Sal offered suggestively. Not that he expected his reimancy talents to win the day, but it was certainly a handy option in the right circumstances. "And besides, last I remember, you were no slouch on your feet eh?"
That strangers were his preference was something new. He'd always been a strong believer in family and friends. Indeed, here was here today in order to try and help a friend out. But in recent times, familiarity had proven to be unwelcome. It was a byproduct of being, for the most part, an honest man. He had kept secrets this season, namely his becoming an Azenth. But the longer he stayed around friends, the greater the burden of carrying that secret.
Not so with strangers though. There were no expectations, no preconceived notions of who or what he was. Let strangers have their assumptions or impressions, but ultimately he was a blank canvas when meeting someone knew, and could add as much color as he wanted in broad strokes or with finesse technique. So then, as Brandon continued, Sal was unable to deny he was enjoying himself.
"Well, apparently he's been cheating all along. It's only recently someone had the balls to say something," Sal offered, adding to the rumors. Of course, his information was coming from someone who was actually there, not just hearing it on the grapevine or around the campfire as it were. The whole issue of why his friend was there to begin with was a matter for another time, and Sal would certainly have a stern word or two to say about it. If he was completely honest, he was doing this more for the man's wife and children. They were the real victims of a foolish husband, and should not have to be held accountable. The fact that his friend had been cheated only made Sal's decision to help easier. He wondered if he would have been as willing if the coins were lost fair and square. It was a question he chose to ignore for now.
“So, let me guess. You want me to go retrieve that lost money? How much are we talking about, ‘cause that guy is dangerous, you know," Brandon asked next.
_____"Actually, I was thinking 'we' would go retrieve the money. It's not that I don't trust you. I don't. But I'd rather be there all the same." In truth it would not have sat right with Sal to send someone to do his dirty work. What if Brandon got himself hurt, or worse yet, killed? Sal could not live with that, and one of the things his father had always taught him was the lesson about taking responsibility instead of avoiding it. Even if Brandon made protest, Sal would not be swayed on that point. It was a team effort, of the bat was out.
"Not only does he have bodyguards, but he is fast with the knife too! That’s what I’ve been told anyway." Brandon's statement was not far off the truth. Burton Tally was something of an artist when it came to knife play, and it would have been foolish for either of them to underestimate the thief's ability, as well as his willingness to use it. To answer the younger man, Sal discretely pulled his sleeve up a few inches and held a hand out. A flame flickered into life, just for a few moments for the bat to see it, before Sal closed his hand once more and pulled down the sleeve.
_____"We have that, should it come to it,", Sal offered suggestively. Not that he expected his reimancy talents to win the day, but it was certainly a handy option in the right circumstances. "And besides, last I remember, you were no slouch on your feet eh?"
. That being said, I tried to be generous as far as lore goes.
