Investigating Enemy Territory (Open)

[Eris]

34th Day, Spring of 510 A.V.

Eris walked softly along the wide street, trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible. As far as she was concerned, she was now in unfamiliar territory and unfamiliar territory meant enemy territory. Joel used to tell her that “everyone is your enemy before they are your friend.” Even now, 2 years since she has last seen her teacher, his words still resonated in her mind. He’d taught her how to slit a throat before her opponent could scream, how to open closed doors, and retrieve coins from money pouches. Of course, not all his advice was so intelligent; quite a lot of it involved ale and bar fights.

Eris’s eyes darted from left to right as she tried to memorize every door and window she passed by. Never know when one would need an escape route. Rhine whined impatiently at Eris’s slow pace, nudging her in the back of the head. Eris allowed herself a small smile and began walking a little faster. She didn’t have a clear objective yet, except the search for her father, of course… It’s become quite an obsession recently and she’d resolved to try and enjoy her own life, without letting his secrets interfere. All the same, it couldn’t hurt to ask around a little. He must have cleaned out a few houses in this city at some point, being the master thief he supposedly was.

Eris drew to a halt, reviewing in her mind all the streets she’d walked and the buildings she’d seen. She’d find something here, she could feel it.

[Tomas]

Tomas was out on one of his usual strolls through the city, having no real destination in mind. He had yet to find work, though to be honest he had not been searching very hard either, so his days were rarely full. He knew he should be down at the gates, seeing if any merchants needed an escort, but he still had plenty of money left and didn't feel like leaving just yet. So as it was, he found himself turning at a street corner and spotting another person wandering the streets.

People walking the streets was not unusual, but this woman didn't seem to know where she was going. She was walking very slowly, and though she eventually picked up the pace she still seemed lost. Tomas understood the feeling. He was fairly new to the city himself, and could remember wandering for hours around the man streets and alleyways just trying to find his way back to the lodge for the night. Figuring he had nothing else to do, he walks a bit faster to catch up to the woman.

Coming up alongside her he flashes her a smile. Seeing the woman up close, she reminded him a bit of his former master, Melanie. The red hair is what did it. Melanie had beautiful red hair, and used to spend hours curling it or putting it up in intricate weaves while Tomas lounged at her feet. Remembering his place, he bows his head slightly. "Hello, my lady. Beautiful day or a stroll, isn't it? Did you need some directions? You look like you might be a bit lost."

[Eris]

Eris tensed slightly as she felt someone approach her, barely masking the urge to reach for her dagger. She berated herself in her mind for seeming so obviously out of place. She should have learned how to fit in by now, even if she didn’t have a clue about her surroundings.

The man seemed well-mannered, something she hasn’t seen too much of in the last few weeks. What with all the taverns and inns she’s passed through recently, it was a wonder she still remembered she was a “lady.” Eris smiled slightly and inclined her head in greeting.

“I prefer to think that I am exploring, rather than lost. But I suppose that ultimately, they add up to the same thing,” she said wryly. “As for directions, they would be quite useless since I don’t have the slightest idea of where I want to go.”

It’s true that she didn’t know where to go from here. Used to working in smaller towns, this expansive city was a bit too much for her. What she needed was someone who knew the inner workings of the city, the alleys, the shops, the backdoor exits… a guide of sorts. Eris looked over the man, trying to figure out if he was a potential threat or not. Deciding that he was harmless for the time being, she said, “I would, however, appreciate a guide; someone to show me around for a little while.” “I’d pay you,” she added.

[Tomas]

Tomas smiles widely. If there was one thing he knew, it was his way around the city. With no work and nothing to do, he spent hours wandering in and out of the shops, following the smells, seeing the sights. The city was a big place, and he probably hadn't seen all of it, but he'd certainly seen enough to help her out.

"I'd love to be your guide. Was there anything you wanted to see? I could show you the castle, or take you to Traveler's Row. That’s where I stay. Do you need a place to sleep? They're cheap, and the lady at the desk is very friendly. Or I could take you down to the market. You'd love it there. All the different shops.. and the smells. Always a different smell, every time I go."

He stops a moment, realizing he'd been rambling, and figured he'd better shut up before he drove her off. He didn't get to talk to people very much. Most people thought he was just a beggar, though to his credit he did beg for table scraps one time at the inn. But that was just a one time thing. Catching his breath, he finished with:

"I'll take you anywhere you want to go."

[Eris]

Eris couldn’t help but smile at the young man’s eagerness. He was so energetic compared to the shady, sullen individuals she usually worked with. Considering for a moment where exactly it was she wanted to go, she finally said, “I already have a room in Traveler’s Row and the market isn’t exactly my kind of place…too many people.” The truth was, she didn’t want to feel tempted to reach into someone’s bag for a few coins. She didn’t particularly need money and she’d resolved not to use her talents unless absolutely necessary. What she needed to do was start looking for the information she came here for.

“I would like to see the…less known part of town; where people with less than savory reputations go to make certain deals, where information is exchanged… If, of course, you are familiar with those places. I suppose I should also take a look at the castle. It would be a crime to go to Sylaris and not see the Stormhold Castle,” she added.

[Tomas]

Tomas thinks for a bit. He tended to stay away from the more shady areas of town. While he could handle himself well enough, he prefered to stay out of trouble. There were a few places he knew of, though if the lady did not like crowds she might not want to go to them. After a few moments he responds.

"Well... there are the taverns, of course. The bartenders usually know a lot, and I've met some interesting people there before." Tomas thinks back to his first day in Syliras, when he was challenged to a hunt and a fight by a Dhani assassin. He can't help but grin, remembering that exciting night.

"Then there is of course the Spinning Coin. Lots of shady stuff going on there. Anything goes really, and the guards don't even care. If you're looking for something, chances are you can find it at the Spinning Coin." He paused a moment, wondering why he himself had never bothered to go there in search of work, then continued on.

"Also, it happens to be right near to the castle, so after we're done at the Coin I could show you the castle. Its quite something, really. I'd never seen anything like it when I first came here, though I was never allowed outside the grounds much growing up."

"Other than that, I don't really know much about the less known parts of town. I prefer to avoid them unless I have a reason. To many pick pockets and cut throats for my liking." He grins, "Though they don't usually mess with me."

[Eris]

“The Spinning Coin sounds like a good place to start. Lead the way,” Eris said. Her father must have passed through there at some point. She’d take a look at the people there and see if anyone had ever associated with Locke. From what she’d heard about the man from Joel, the Spinning Coin sounded exactly like something Locke would frequent.

“I am called Eris, by the way,” Eris said, realizing that she didn’t know the man’s name. She’d formed a habit of not exchanging personal information with her contacts, including names. In her opinion, the less people knew her name the better. Nevertheless, this wasn’t the time nor the place to keep her identity completely hidden. “And you are?”

[Tomas]

Tomas grins, "The Spinning Coin it is, then. My name is Tomas, its a pleasure to meet you." Tomas motions for her to follow him, then starts off down the street. He takes his time, in no particular rush, talking the entire way about this or that, pointing out the places where you can find good food for a good price, or places that have particularly interesting smells.

At one point in their journey he stops outside the Rearing Stallion, pointing at the doors. "This is where I came the first day I arrived in Syliras. Good food there, and interesting people. You might try that place if you don't find what you're looking for at the Spinning Coin. The guy I met was definetly what you would call a shady person." Tomas lingers only a moment longer outside the tavern, smelling the food inside, then starts walking again. "Lets get going, they should have a show or something going on at the Spinning Coin and I don't want to miss the beginning."

When they get there Tomas stops outside and glances around, then turns to Eris. "You might want to find a place to tie your horse. It should be fine out here, but I don't think they'll let him inside." He waits for her to decide what to do with the horse, all the while licking his lips at the delicious smells coming from the other side of the door. Tomas loved good food, and he was hungry tonight.

((I don't know if you want to continue this in this thread, or move over to the Spinning Coin. Either way is fine with me.))

[Eris]

((Using this thread is fine by me.))

“You’re right. I’ll just leave her here,” Eris said, throwing Tomas a bemused glance. If only Rhine could understand that she was mistaken for a male, the man would be lying face down on the ground by now. Eris retrieved a sturdy rope from Rhine’s saddle bags and tied the horse to the nearest pole, petting her nose before pulling open the door to the Spinning Coin.

As soon as they walked inside, Eris was hit with an eruption of sound. People were talking at once, there was music playing somewhere, and there was a commotion building around the large stage. Eris scanned the crowd, trying to discern if she saw anyone worth talking to. The room was mostly filled by drunks and gamblers, nobody fitting the criteria of someone who would have closely associated with her father.

“I suppose we should get a bite to eat,” she said to Tomas, his obviously hungry demeanor not escaping her notice. Making her way to the bar, Eris found a sit more or less out of the way of all the commotion. Turning to her companion she asked, “So, what brought you to Sylaris?” Joel had always taught her to find out people’s motivation from the get-go. Easier to distinguish enemies from friends that way.

[Tomas]

If Tomas notices his mistake towards the horses gender he does not show it, and watches as Eris ties her to a post then hurriedly goes inside behind her. The place was always full of excitement, and he normally would have headed toward the stage, but Eris suggested something even better. Food. His stomach never seemed to be satisfied, and so he was more than happy to sit down and eat a bit.

Tomas follows the woman to her table of choice and orders whatever special they have going that night along with some water, then sits down next to her. "The food here isn't the best I've had, but it’s still pretty good. This place is mostly for the attractions, I think." When she asks him about why he was in Syliras he shrugs, and leans back in his chair. "It's just where I ended up."

Leaning forward again he puts elbows on the bar and gives Eris a sideways look, then sits up and continues. "I used to be a pet.. that’s what people called me, anyway. I didn't realize it until I got here, but I guess it's true. Anyway.. some bad stuff happened, and they got rid of me. I hooked up with a merchant caravan and ended up here." Tomas thinks a moment about the night everything in his life went up in smoke and sighs a bit, then shakes the thought away. "Sometimes I wish I could go back, but I've accepted it and so I'm trying to make a life here. So far, I haven't really got far. Come to think of it, giving you this tour is the first job I've had since I got here."

Tomas shrugs and grabs the glass of water that just arrived, taking a long drink, then shifts his attention back to the woman next to him. "So what brings you here, if you don't mind my asking?"