The Wrong Path... (Open)

[Zane Felix]

Timestamp: 3rd of Spring, Year 510
Time of Day: Mid morning
Location: wandering Syliras' streets.

Zane had made it to the city and gotten Soren a place to rest the night before. He'd even gotten a few hours in himself. Right now, it was hard to tell which way was which, but then, he figured that's why he was out here.

He wasn't at all hungry or thirsty now, utterly satiated from his rest and having replenished his energy stores. His body felt, in fact, more fit than usual. And he was unusually energetic right now. Zane wanted, with every fiber of his being, to pick a fight. Win or lose, he wanted a go.

Zane wasn't the type to just start a brawl, though. In a city like this, it was easy to get in trouble- not that it was any issue for Zane, but the Knights he saw on any given side of him at a corner or nearby a shop, some even in the middle of places of commerce- such things just screamed "bad idea."

As casually as he could, Zane sidled over to a man on the side of the street and leaned himself up against a building's wall, crossing his arms at his chest.

So... where can a guy pick a fight around here... maybe earn some cash doing it?

His eyes were that electric green, vibrant with emotion as he felt the tension and the excitement building up inside him like hot fire, boiling his blood and aching to escape into the open. With a mischievous grin, he winked conspiratorially at the older man, who gave a quiet chuckle.

"Only in a big city do you find kids achin' to fight... well sonny, I heard tell of a place around here... down around that way, called the Spinning Coin..."

The old man pointed Zane directly behind himself, though the young man didn't turn immediately, instead nodding his thanks and clapping the man on his shoulder with his gruff hand and misjudging his strength, as always. The older man wheezed a bit, but understood it to be a kind-hearted gesture as Zane turned on his heel and began to jog in the indicated direction.

Man, oh man! Soren'll be so happy if I can make some honest Mizas! Good thing he's not here trying to talk me out of getting myself hurt...

[Murdoch]

The Spinning Coin was most certainly the place to go to fight for money - though there was less to be made on an unscheduled fight than one the house could advertise. But money was money, either way. It was early, though, and not much went on at the casino before Syna began to work back towards the earth. But there were a few men there, gambling away their lives at the tables. There were always a few. Murdoch was there, of course. It wasn't like he had anything else to do - and besides, the really desperate ones were there in the morning, and they were usually desperate because they were awful at gambling. He'd spent the last hour counting cards and watching the tells of his opponents, and walked away with a rather interesting collection of coins and jewelry that'd been bet once the money had run out. But run out it all had, and he had a good weight in his pockets as he headed over to the bar to order a sandwich and a mug of ale.

[Zane Felix]

Zane made his way up to the entrance, almost sure he was in the wrong place. Of course, "wrong" was relative, considering that he had absolutely no idea which way was up and which was down in Syliras.

He pushed his way through the doors into the Spinning Coin, suddenly and abruptly realizing that he was in one of those hives of scum and villainy his parents warned him about when he was a kid.

In more simple terms, this was Zane's kinda place. Full of the sort of people he needed to associate with in order to make a profit.

This must be it...

Not thinking, Zane bumped into a patron who gave him a mean look in response. He shot him a rude gesture just to complement the mood, then set forth into the bar and sat down near a couple of people, not ordering anything, Zane scanned the crowd for an easy mark...

[Vesper Frostbite]

OI! Will you stop that! Vesper's hold loosened for the umpteenth time on the saddle, her body listing dangerously to one side on the back of the tawny glidling she was haphazardly perched atop. I don't need this horse, I really don't, not today... The lively gelding, however, didn't seem to care. He nickered, obviously amused and bounced his rear up again as he trotted along the dirt road. The Inartan quailed and began sliding even further, looking panicked 'I don't do horses' I said 'it's like your spitting in my face giving me this land trotter' I said, but no, had to give it to me anyway, as if this brute was any replacement for Skarn...gods be damned.... As if the gelding was quite through with the woman talking about him in such a negative light, the playful horse galloped forward a few paces, then stopped abruptly, Vesper shooting out over the horses head and landing face first in the mud, deep blue eyes espying a tavern First bit o' luck today...

[Zane Felix]

Zane tossed a few Mizas onto the bar in exchange for some hard liquor; of course, he got a strange look from the bartender, but proprietors were never the type to turn down tender.

The young man waited a bit for the drink, and when it came he inclined his head thankfully, knocking back a large gulp of the amber liquid. Ale. Oh, beauty... it was ale. Ale got him in the mood. Ale made him feisty.

Ale meant it was almost time for fun... almost.

So... I heard that there was some kind of paid fighting establishment around here... any truth in that?

He got a few glances, to be sure, but he wasn't aware anyone had anything to say about it... at least, not at first...

[Vesper Frostbite]

Vesper slowly stood up, shook her complexly braided hair, and brushed off her riding trousers. The gelding nickered and nosed her in a manner that meant he was only having a bit of fun, but she shoved the horse off and started walking toward the pub. An old man who was sitting out on the porch in a chair, gestured to the horse and looked at Vesper You gonna tie him up? Vesper looked back, considering this idea, then shook her head He wouldn't run off if I paid him in oats, he enjoys tormenting me too much The Glidling gelding nickered good naturedly, and as if to prove the Inartan's point, walked over to the rails where a few other steeds were tied up, and had himself a seat. His owner strode up to the bar and ordered herself a pint of ale

[Zane Felix]

Zane took a swig of his ale and blinked, swiveling around in his barstool to survey the area. It was a nice little place, granted it was filled with gambling, thieves and probably the lowest of the low in general when compared with the rest of the city. It wasn't likely there were too many Knights around inside, though they probably weren't straying too far on the out...

He shrugged deftly to himself, not altogether worried about his surroundings. The music playing was a bitter monotone at best compared to some of the more refined Konti establishments he'd seen in his life, and the smells much more insulting to the senses. His eyes might have watered had he not been used to far worse.

Though that was simply the smell of alcoholics conglomerating into a single unit for the sake of camaraderie. Zane couldn't help but snicker, though he stifled the sound after half a second. Some people were just plain useless.

But then, he saw it. Someone come up and sit right next to him. A girl, one with red hair. Obviously not a Konti. With a grin, he decided to try his luck at Soren's game. Talking.

Maybe she'd be easy to swindle without force. Who knows?

Hey, you ain't from around here, are ya?

He turned slightly so that he was facing her, leaned casually over the bar. His technique was awful and his approach was more akin to friendly than anything overtly seductive, but such was the way of someone who had fought against being tied down by men for his entire life.

Let alone women.

Ain't to say I am, either, though...

He caught himself quickly. Zane didn't want to ramble, but he also wanted to relate. It was rather ridiculous to just ask a question of a stranger without properly introducing yourself... or something like that.

I'm Zane. I'm new around these parts too. Looking to make some money on a fight or something. Could I get your name, maybe buy your drink?

[Vesper Frostbite]

Vesper surveyed the man for a moment, raised a heavily gloved hand, looked at it, then removed the glove and tried again. Even as she opened her mouth the answer there was a high screech and in through an open window dove a small shadowy object. It unfurled two well shaped wings and landed on Vesper's now unprotected arm, balancing on one foot, holding a dead weasel in the other. Vesper winced as the little falcon's claws sank into her pale skin, though by the looks of the scars, this wasn't the first time it had happened. The silver winged bird, looked to her for approval, listing out a skittering series of escalating chirps, and Vesper removed the vermin from the animal's clutches and beamed, stroking the birds head with two fingers. You did good mate, why don't you pop this bugger in the horse's saddle and I'll give you a strip of it tonight, aye? The bird chirruped happily, grabbed the weasel and shot out of the bar. Vesper rubbed a bleeding hand behind her head and examined the man who introduced himself as Zane, then re-offered her hand. Sorry about that. The name's Vesper. And if you have the coin to spare, a drink would be a nice thing to see.

[Zane Felix]

Well, you can see drinks all day without buying them.

Zane smirked and gave a quiet laugh, amused by her informality. She was about as classy as he was in this situation, and that helped break the ice. Maybe she'd appreciate the humor, maybe she wouldn't but Zane felt like he had a much better feel for how to approach the situation.

How's about... I buy you a drink and you tell me a little about yourself?

He gave a sincere smile, eyes roaming over her person for a brief moment as if indicating his interest, whereas in reality he was scanning her person for valuables. Of course, Zane didn't attempt to deny that she was attractive, or that he was attracted at least a little, but a mark was a mark.

When it came down to it, Soren and he had to eat. If this girl was the meal ticket, so be it. Though... it seemed a damned shame. That must have been why he tossed a few more mizas on the table and had the bartender slide her a drink. Yeah, that was it.

[Vesper Frostbite]

Vesper considered a moment as she slid into a seat and took a sip of beverage, closing her eyes a moment at the coolness of the liquid sliding along the dry patch of her throat. She cleared her throat and looked Zane up and down, wondering what the catch was, then decided a little banter would do her no harm. Well, as you said, not really from around these parts meself, and aiming at just passing through, though I'm not heading anywhere particular, just kinda...makin' my way as I go. After a moment the little bird swooped in again and landed on the Inartan's shoulder. How about you?