[Main Gate Cortyard] Dancing Until Dusk (Open)

[Jokor]

As jokor expected he easily threw the man of his back and mingled into the crowd. Keeping both his eyes firmly on the man, not wanting to accidentally stumble into his field of view because he lost sight of the tall man for a few moments. That would just be embarrassing. As he got closer the man suddenly just turned around and walked away from the festival. For a brief moment jokor stopped in his tracks, wondering if the man had noticed him for some reason before shrugging it of, no way some coddled syliran could notice him when he didn't want them to see him. Keeping out of sight he kept trailing the tall man, a scowl slowly forming on his face when the crowd began thinning out and making it harder for him to trail behind the man without being seen. Still he wasn't going to let that go, what if the guy tried to ambush him or frame him with the knights later? Best to go and find out why he was pissed at him. So he carefully followed the man, making use of the thinning crowd as best as he could. Still if the man didn't notice him when they where completely alone he might just call him out and try to force it out of him instead.

[Runas]

Runas couldn't help but smile at the Isur. She liked his personality. He was like a rock, or a piece of tough steel. Maybe a diamond. It made Maenon unique.

"Aren't Isur respected elsewhere? Outside of work? Are they respected for being Isur?" Dark eyebrows lifted slightly as Runas' tone dipped to a serious level, the smile fading off her lips. She didn't need the Isur to think she was mocking him. She had quite a bit going on as it was.

Suddenly, she laughed. "That's something I've never heard before, Maenon. I think that would be fantastic if you could really carry me around." She couldn't explain why this fascinated and amused her so much. It was so new to have someone say they could carry her over their shoulder.

She danced in peace with him for a bit, moving along with the smaller man. She had her arms placed in their proper positions that people with only one set seemed to favour. If it looked funny that three arms were placed between the Isur's shoulder, upper arm, and elbow she didn't say anything. It just felt natural to place them there.

"I'm not always concerned, no, Maenon. I'm not really a nice person, and for most people I couldn't care less, but you're a fellow outsider." She spoke softly. Dancing with a stranger eased her mind off of the dark things she could be doing to select people. "I like you, and so I care."

[Archon]

Jokor The man didn't seem to notice Jokor at all as he proceeded into Stormhold via the thoroughfare. As the main passage split the man continued northwards, passing between the Dyres and Maiden districts. Where ever the man was heading it seemed that he was done with the celebration taking place in the courtyard. The already thin crowds quickly disappeared as the man proceeded deeper into the citadel, and as the last stragglers faded away the man started to pick up his pace to a brisk walk just a little shy of a jog. Jokor could certainly keep up with him, but doing so would make it more difficult to remain hidden. Maybe he wanted to get the man's attention though? They were certainly alone in the nearby area now. Runas Maenon gave a short scoff at Runas' question regarding respect for Isur, "This is Syliras, girl. The only ones who get a measure of respect for bein' what they are are humans. The Knights make a big show of being open, but a little experience will show ya their true colors," the Isur leaned a little closer to Runas as his voice dropped slightly to be a little quieter, "If you ever get in an argument with a human you'd best make sure you're clearly in the right. Otherwise, you're just as likely to get sent to the mines as have the council rule in your favor." Runas' sudden laugh seemed to catch Maenon off guard, and he stood there for a moment afterwards looking a bit unsure. When she explained her reasoning the Isur gave a soft chuckle as he resumed dancing. When she then answered his question Maenon gave a small nod, "So, how long are you staying around Tawna? Any chance you'll be here next season?" he moved a little closer to her and lowered his voice, "Maybe help out a few fellow outsiders?" Tessa Poe Tessa's staring down of the hazel eyed guard didn't really get him to pull his gaze away, but he didn't seem inclined to do anything more than look. The offer of a free drink did get his attention away though. The two men took the drinks quickly, the brown eyed guard muttering a soft thanks, but the merchant simply held the drink and listened to Tessa's words. "No sparring, especially not here," the merchant said with a quick shake of his head, "I've already got the Knights breathing down my neck enough as it is. However I can't just leave myself no protection in case things don't work out. So here's my deal. I'll pay you two and a half gold Mizas a day, with rations, but if you don't perform well enough in one of your jobs it'll decrease by one for each job you don't do well at," the merchant grinned slightly, "So nothing to fear if you're as good as you say. What do you think?"

[Tessa Poe]

Tessa had to think about it for a moment and covered it with another sip of her ale. His terms seemed fair enough, but there was the chance that he’d try and cheat her at the end of the road. With his regular guards on his side she knew there’d not be much she could do except take whatever he offered. So, there was that possibility, but on the other hand that was always the risk you took when you signed on with a caravan. Besides he couldn't afford to do that too often to the people he hired on, word'd get round and then no-one'd sign on with him again. His smile was a little off putting she had to admit, but he was right too, as long as she did her job well enough it wouldn't matter about what his conditions were, would it? "So long as you're not expecting some kind of high gourmet dining out there those terms seem fair enough. So when do we leave and where from? Oh and come to think of it where are going?" She grinned and stuck her hand out to shake on the deal, keeping her eyes away from the lech as she did so. There was the slight worry there'd be trouble with him on the road, but if it came to it she was fairly sure she could handle him. Well maybe. Hopefully?

It didn’t matter, the uncomfortable truth was she knew she needed the work. Her purse had been getting uncomfortably light recently so if it came to it she’d find a way to deal with him. There was that, and the fact that she could always be overreacting. He could just be a bit of a flirt, harmless and all. Besides, it was take the job and all that came with it or stick around Syliras for a while longer and look for work within the fortress. There were a few people round the place it’d be nice to see and spend some time with again, but she’d be stuck here for another season at least and her feet were starting to get itchy as her Ma used to say. No, this was about the only option she had, she’d just have to make the best of it, whatever came out of it. At the very least she'd be pretty much guaranteed five silver a day plus meals, and when you had as little left as she did that wasn't something to be sniffed at.

[Archon]

Tessa Poe The merchant briefly looked surprised at Tessa's acceptance of his terms, but the flicker of emotion was washed off his face quickly. With a pleasant smile he took Tessa's hand and gave it a firm shake, "It's a deal then. We're departing on the 57th, and our destination is Avanthal," releasing Tessa's hand the man waved over some more drinks and food, "This round is on me, in celebration!" As the food and drink arrived the man with the hazel eyes gave Tessa a wink and smirk, and then turned his attention to enjoying the food. It seemed he was content to just look for now, with the knowledge that they would be traveling far together. The other guard just seemed content to contemplate the contents of his mug as he slowly drank from it. With his concerns relieved the merchant drank and ate with gusto, and after a few moments he raised his mug high and called out, "Praise be to Syna! It seems the Goddess has smiled on me during her day."

[Tessa Poe]

Somewhere in the back of her mind was a nagging thought that this was a really, really stupid deal for her to have struck. The look of surprise, or was that triumph, on the merchant's face wasn't helping with that. But then there was the ale, that lovely slightly bitter tang that was doing its best to entirely drown that out. It was succeeding too. She didn’t question the distance she’d signed on for, nor the time it’d take. All that mattered was that she was going, in just a few short days she could wave farewell Syliras and its cramped confines for a season or so. Doubtless she’d end up back here again soon, she always found herself coming back here. Partly because work was always easier to come by and there was always the chance that she’d run into her Da and the others from the caravan. Tessa found herself grinning at the merchant’s toast in happy thanks for Syna’s blessing and she couldn't help but raise her mug in reply to it, draining what was left in it and accepting the next one that he'd bought for her. She probably shouldn't stay too much longer now the deal had been done, she knew she'd only end up off her face and that usually didn't end well. "To your health, and a good trip." she said with a grin at the end of his toast, taking another gulp, her cheeks flushed with the ale she'd already had. It wouldn't be long now 'til she started slurring her words if she wasn't careful. Really would be a good idea to slow down, or maybe to get some water or something. But... there were the thoughts of Avanthal... she'd never been there before. She’d never even considered trying to get there given the distances involved. This really was her lucky day, maybe Syna was smiling down on all of them. Well, apart from the letch, there was no way he was getting what he obviously wanted while Tessa was still breathing. Never mind him, there was the far more pleasant thought of somewhere new, somewhere completely new... and quite frankly it sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine. Or was that the ale again? Either way, not even the wink and the smirk that the letch threw her way could dampen her spirits now. She was going to Avanthal! What did she know about Avanthal? Well it was far away, and cold, and guarded by giant ice bears... they might be something to worry about, but as long as she stuck to whatever rules they had up there then they wouldn't eat her, would they? “So, I’ll see you on the morning of the 57th gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me though I’ve got some preparations to make. Enjoy the rest of the celebration won’t you?” She drained off the last of the mug and gave the group a little wave before turning and heading towards the Swan with a slight weave to her walk. It really was time to leave if she was having trouble walking in a straight line. It really didn’t matter though, she had a job, a job that was going to take her further than she’d ever been before and she just couldn’t wait to get started.