Hellp Wantd (Open)

[Liminal]

Tessie did as she was asked, giving a drink to both Pete and Akuaysun. She also agreed to bring him something to eat, quickly disappearing for a moment into a door behind the bar, where, one assumed, the chef was located.

Pete, for his part, looked over at Akuaysun. His eyes made it very difficult to read his facial expressions, though he didn't seem to be upset, or even surprised.

"I'll thank you for the drink, stranger." He raised the glass to his lips and took a sip. "I'm afraid you have the advantage of me," he said, although the tone of his voice didn't indicate that he felt himself to be at much of a disadvantage. He waited a moment to see if Akuaysun would take the hint and introduce himself.

"You've got my curiosity up. Who are you running messages for, and what does he or she want?" It was a friendly enough question, but Pete gave off the impression of someone that it would be most unwise to anger. He took another sip of his drink, his eyes just visible over the rim of the glass.

[Akuaysun]

“The name I use in this world is Akuaysun, my real is not pronounceable let alone conceivable to more than most. If you like you may shorten it to simply Aku as I have become akin to that myself. It is a pleasure to meet you Pete.” Aku’s eyes shined radiantly in the dim light of the bar, the swirls of emerald and gold reflecting the light in an almost otherworldly way. He watched Pete, not to closely but straight in the eye to show he was not intimidated by the man. There was no point to be, either things would go well for him or they would not, what was the point in worrying of such thoughts as death.

Soon after Tessie returned with their drinks and went after a bit of food for the young yet infinitely older patron of the bar. His eyes shifted to hers as the glass made its contact to the wood below, Aku’s smile breaking a bit wider as she informed him that would see what could be scrounged up. They continued to stare conveniently as she walked away, lingering on her assets without shame, or perhaps pointedly to get under Pete’s skin.

Once out of site, Aku took to the glass enjoying a short pull from its rim before once more turning attention to the red eyes that sized him up. “As for my generosity you are quite welcome. I hope it will garner a small bit of respect when I answer your next questions.” He paused, knowing full well what he was about to say and the conciqunces that could be associated to the words hanging on his lips. “I was sent here by a Mr. Klarsin, a man that I have been told you know well enough by his own mouth. As to what he wants, well that is a simple enough answer as well, he has paid me a nice enough sum to kill you.”

That was that, and now it was said, it would be interesting to see how Pete reacted to the blunt statement. Aku imagined that most simply didn’t come out say that sort of thing, especially to a man with a reputation like Pete. His smile still hanging on his lips he lifted the glass of liquor once more and took a sip before placing it back on the bar’s counter. His eyes were locked on Pete now, as only he could dictate what happened next.

[Liminal]

Pete listened carefully as Akuaysun spoke, as if nothing else was going on in the whole establishment but this conversation. When the Ethaefal made his last pronouncement, there was several seconds of silence. Tessie, who was on the other end of the bar, turned on her heels to face the pair, a look of horror on her face.

Then Pete grinned, and slapped Akuaysun on the back. "I like you, Aku," he said with a laugh. "And, if it were possible, I might actually get a bit of respect for Klarsin for hiring someone like you. I'd figure anyone that fool would hire would actually try to simply do the deed, and that would be the end of that, rather quickly."

He raised his own glass and took a swallow. "Anyway, cheers to smarts." He set the glass back down on the table, and he raised his eyebrows. For a moment, his face looked almost human, though the eyes prevented the effect from being completely effective.

"Anyway, Aku, what are you going to do now?" A grin of amusement was twitching at the corners of his mouth. Tessie was still staring, although now she seemed to simply be dumb with amazement. Another patron tried halfheartedly to get her attention, but it was a futile effort at this point.

[Akuaysun]

Aku felt the heavy hand of Pete land on his back as the amusement danced in his facial expressions. At least it seemed that Pete was not the sort who enjoyed being quick to anger. In all truths it was very hard to garner any grasp of who the man was. His own lips held a grin as Akuaysun sat the glass before him on the bar and let his green-gold orbs shift from his mark to the crystal containers contents. He paused; thinking on the question presented and let out a soft long sigh.

“Well Pete, you see therein lies my problem. Mr. Klarsin has paid me to do a particular task but the man has quite the aptitude for rubbing me the wrong way. Misinformation and that sort of thing, if anything I can’t stand a liar, frankly I do not see the point in it. Now mind you I have no qualms with killing, none what so ever, but the Miza’s promised mean very little as well. Possessions are things to be kept by the ignorant in my opinion. So quite frankly I am dealing with a severe case of indecision at who to kill this morning and thought that I should consider my options over this drink and meal.”

Glancing to Pete he flashed a smile to the fellow before retuning his attention back to the platter before him. Tessie seemed to have rustled up a fair enough selection that he picked through and pulled from, putting small bits into his mouth and mostly sitting in silence. Between the occasional bite he took a small sip from his drink rinsing the pallet of his tongue and setting his throat aflame with its fine enough flavor.

“As you can tell by Tessie’s reaction, I was kind enough to spare her the details of the matter at hand, and as such rule out that I have tried to poison you. I find it rather rude to talk of someone’s death before said information is even propositioned to the particular that will be partaking in the act. At least no one I know likes to be stared at like a chunk of meat when they don’t even know why. Now that the reason for my arrival is out in the open however I doubt she will be much of a conversationalist for me. Quite the wealth of information that girl, and a good talker as well, none too bright though.” Aku let a soft chuckle pour from his lips, and took another bite of his food before continuing. “So Pete, Klarsin has told me a couple versions of his side of the story, would you mind telling me yours as well? I am very interested in why you think he would like you dead, and also the proper relationship you have with Tall Johnny.”

[Liminal]

Tessie flushed, and though she didn't say anything, she quickly left the bar. There was a brief interlude, and then another equally scantily-clad barmaid took her place.

Pete clucked his tongue in disapproval. "Ah, you've got Tessie all wrong, Aku. She's more sensitive and more clever than you'd think, and you shouldn't be saying those kinds of things about her, especially not in public." The man frowned; he seemed unusually invested in the well-being of this particular barmaid.

He finished his glass, and set it down in front of him. "Klarsin's a fool, a damn fool, and he's lucky that he hasn't gotten himself killed yet. He was in jail in Zeltiva, with one of my men, a fellow named Tommy. Anyway, Klarsin said he knew where twenty thousand mizas was hidden, and would Tommy be interested in getting in on the action. Tommy said sure, but he wasn't a freelancer, he worked for me. He'd worked for me since he was fifteen, and it wasn't his fault nor mine that the deal he was working on when he was thrown in the can went sour."

He motioned to the new barmaid for another drink, which was quickly set in front of him. "At any rate, they got out around the same time, used some boat Klarsin had to go get the goods. But Tommy didn't come back alive -- I don't know the particulars, except that I don't really trust what Klarsin has to say about it. You know as well as I do, Aku, that if a man's working for an outfit, and he doesn't come back from a job, the outfit's still going to want its fair share -- even more so since they're down a man. Some time went by, but I finally had a space of time where I could come and ask Klarsin about the money. I don't know what he was thinking, but he said he didn't have the money. I said if he didn't have it, he'd better have it real soon, or he might make me upset. I was planning on paying him a visit in a few days, and I guess he hasn't come up with the funds -- though I see he's got enough to hire you." This elicited a chuckle from Pete.

"As for Johnny, we're longtime business associates, and besides that, my brother married his sister. Quite the character, but if you want anything done in Sunberth, or if you want to hear a story told right proper, you really need to talk to him." This seemed to be as much as Pete was interested in saying at the moment.

"So there you have it," Pete said, after taking another sip of his drink. "But I have to tell you, if you're trying to decide, it's much easier -- and safer, if you catch my drift -- to kill Klarsin than it is to kill me."

[Akuaysun]

Aku took another bite of his food listening intently to every word Pete spoke, but not watching him as before. He simply milled over each word and thought on the various subjects and decisions at hand. The saltiness of each bite he brought to his lips could only be washed away by the liquor provided to him by the lovely Tessie. Likely a side factor of being preserved, after all, this didn’t exactly seem like the kind of town that prided itself on providing. Perhaps his words had been a little harsh on the bar maid, Pete certainly thought so. She was simply trying to make him comfortable and give service to a paying customer. The Ethaefal made a mental note to apologize if he had insulted her, it wasn’t intentional by any means but Aku seemed to forgot about what the living liked to call tact.

“I am sure that is very much the case Pete, but doing something that is easy doesn’t provide the same results, nor does it give the same satisfaction of a job well done. Besides, that is simply a side note to the quandary I now face. Primarily I am considering the implications of my actions. If I were to take your suggestion and turn on my current employer I lose my reputation as someone that can be trusted in this town. Though if I kill you, I am sure that I garner the attention of your organization and the friends you have, including Johnny, and create multiple new enemies for myself.

He paused, still not having turned to face Pete. His right hand retch down to the leather pouch at his waist and fiddled with the latching for a moment. Once free his hand dipped inside and produced a small leather cup, sealed firmly with a lid. Placing it before the chair closest to him that separated the duo, his attention turned back to the meal he was finishing. After taking the last few bites, Aku finished his drink and stretched out his back, letting off a soft groan of relief, and then swiveled in his seat one last time to give Pete his full attention.

“Ideally for this to work out in my favor, you and Klarsin would have to come to some sort of agreement. I can see both sides of the problem, and while that is what I would like, I do not see it happening. You have lost a man who was obviously loyal and well liked by yourself, and Mr. Klarsin no longer has the funds to pay your lads share because he spent it taking care of his own debts. Trust me, he did hire me but it was nowhere near close to the amount he claims indebted to you.” Again, Akuaysun chose to pause, looking into the red eyes of Pete should he chose to face his would be assassin. His own eyes showed that he was mulling over the possibilities of what was next.

Klarsin has lied to me yet again it would seem though, and told me Johnny is a rather quote, Cagey Fellow, but if what you say is true, and I do believe it is as verified by Tessie’s mouth, in my mind Johnny would take great offense to the ending of your life. Which now means that I have another promise to uphold to him, as I told him that if he chose to lie to me yet again he would have much more then you to worry about. I don’t see the point in killing two people because then no one wins, which means I either have to break my word about killing you and make myself look like a traitor, or break my word about killing him and make myself look a coward. Either way I lose, so I guess it is best I leave the matter up to the great god of fate Lhex. He shall decide my actions on this, and offer me suggestion on the most worthy path.”

Aku’s deeply tanned and scared hand retch for the cup, and flipped open its lid, pouring the contents into his free hand. Pouring forth were a set of finely crafted and polished bone dice. He smiled slipping the pair of six sided pieces back into the cup and slid it toward Pete.

“Now unless you have a better suggestion for my little quandary on how we could all resolve this without someone dying in light of Mr. Klarsin’s supposed lack of funds, I ask that you humor me one last time. My dice, your rolls… Pick odds or evens, roll three times, your choice comes out on top the most you live with no further intrusion from me, you lose, and I keep my word to Klarsin about his little issue with your collection. Tiger eyes, or double ones as most are familiar with the name and you reroll. That’s a simple enough game eh? So, unless you have that suggestion, I put fate in your hands Red Eyed Pete. “ Aku smiled one last time and motioned for the dice, hoping Pete could forget the ordeal, though he knew that wasn’t very possible, or would at least take his gesture. In truth Aku was sure this would not turn out good in the end, but when one had spent so much time in the company of the gods, they learned that anything was possible.

[Liminal]

NoteI did the rolls in chat just now, using the dice roll feature ^_^

Pete listened as Akuaysun gave his speech. When he was entirely finished, Pete took the cup. "You're either a brave man or an idiot, Aku, but sometimes there's not much of a difference anyway." He spoke with unusual solemnity. "Well in honor of Lhex then, I'll chose odds. Here you are."

He shook the cup, and with a flick of the wrist, sent the cubes flying. They bounced, then landed with a 1 and a 5.

"Six, evens." His voice betrayed no emotion.

He replaced the dice, then rolled them again. They clattered on the bar, and landed with a 4 and a 1.

"Five, odds. Third roll tells all."

A final toss of the dice. The new barmaid and the other patrons had stopped what they were doing to watch. The cubes flipped once, twice, and then came to rest. 4 and 3.

"Seven, odds." A sly grin snuck across Pete's face. "Lhex seems to like you, Aku, and in a town like this, you need as much of his help as possible." He slid the dice cup back over to Akuaysun and then clapped him on the back. "Let me buy you a drink, stranger, in honor of your good fortune." He laughed, and the crowd, who seemed to have been holding their collective breaths, exhaled and laughed as well.

[Akuaysun]

As the dice rattled in the cup, Aku never took his eyes from the man, what would be simply would be. There was no fighting the way of the world, that continuous stream called time that pushed all beings to the next day whether they were ready or not. The first set fell even, and then the second came up odd. A fifty fifty chance of who would be his target. Then the third and final series bounced across the counter of the bar, the tiny divots cut into the smooth surface of the die reading seven.

It was as if the entire bar let out a sigh at once, some likely expecting trouble, others perhaps hoping for it. Pete seemed to hold quite a bit of esteem amongst the locals, and it was more than likely few and far between when someone came knocking on the door, asking for him to surrender his life. He took the roll well enough, giving off a whole hearted laugh and instantly offering to return the courtesy the faux Myrian had extended just minutes before.

“Or perhaps he simply has no want to meet you Pete.”Aku shot the red eyed man a mischievous grin before motioning for the waitress to bring another of what he had been sipping on before. “I thank you for the drink and suppose this means you have little qualm with me finishing the man off before you’ve had your words with him? I believe I would like to watch this large fight Tessie talked about earlier, and it is often best to keep business in line before pleasure. I’d hate for this to turn into much more trouble then what it was worth.”

Taking a sip of his drink Aku sat socially with his new found associate. For as bad as the man had been made out to be, in fact, didn’t seem so horrible to the senses. The Ethaefal was even beginning to take a liking to the man, especially his acknowledgement of the gods. Too often people forgot their place in the world, the celestial being was still unsure of Pete, he certainly held quite a bit of confidence but he no longer seemed lost in it. Something to be explored when work was done, and hopefully that would progress soon enough, and it would so long as Pete didn’t have an issue with Aku getting on with the matter.

[Liminal]

Pete shrugged. "Klarsin's had his chance. Whatever you do with him's fine with me." He took another drink and then stood up from the bar.

"If you want to see the fight, it'll be over here." He motioned for Akuaysun to follow him, and then crossed to the other side of the establishment.

The entire left side of the building was taken up by a sort of arena. The floor area was a square perhaps fifteen feet on each side, surfaced with hard-packed dirt. It was set below the level of the building, and completely surrounded with a metal fence that was ten feet high. This "cage" was in turn surrounded by rows of ampitheatre-style seating, so that the spectators could look down at the action.

Pete took a seat near the front, leaving space for Aku next to him. There were two contestants stretching in opposite corners of the cage; apparently, the fight was to begin shortly.

One was a burly man in his 30s, with brown hair already shot through with gray. A nasty scar ran from one shoulder all the way to his stomach. "That's Lucas," Pete said, gesturing toward the fighter. "One of the three or four best fighters in Sunberth. The man's very, very good at what he does. He hasn't fought in twenty days or so, so he ought to be rested."

The other fighter was younger, and taller -- at least six and a half feet. He had enormous hands, and blond hair to his shoulder blades. His face seemed to be stuck in a perpetual sneer. "That one's named Charlie. He's come from somewhere around Lisnar, I think, and this is his first fight in Sunberth."

An employee was walking through the seating. "Bets taken here! Place your bets on the fight!" There was no charge to watch the fight, because this was where Tall Johnny made his bloodsport money.

Pete turned his head toward Akuaysun. "Place a bet, Aku? Which fighter do you favor?"

[Akuaysun]

Aku followed Pete, sipping on the last of his drink as the former mark showed him about the bar. The pit itself was well reinforced and obviously designed to keep people inside there, and those who were spectators out. The faux Myrian said little as Pete explained who the fighters were, simply choosing to observe until it came time for his retort.

“There is something to say for youth and being new to the area. It means that few people don’t know you or your particular style. You can keep quite a few surprises to yourself, but conversely most will favor the local and a home field advantage can make a world of difference. Experience is also worth its weight in gold, it gives you an edge and when you can push the pain of life out of your mind it makes you all the more dangerous.”

Aku sat his glass down and hefted his bag up and returned it to his back, giving a soft nod to Pete, glancing at the men again and then looking one last time to the demon eyed fellow. “I hadn’t expected the fight to start so early, and I am a firm believer in business before pleasure so I shall be taking my leave now. Please enjoy the fight if I shouldn’t return before its conclusion but I think I will be heading off to meet Mr. Klarsin now.”

Only waiting long enough to offer a handshake to Pete, Aku turned on his heels and headed back out into the morning light. It washed over him and made his eyes hurt for a moment as it came all at once. His horse still waiting patiently by the door, Aku took the reins and guided the beast down the dirty streets of Sunberth once more, back the way he had come, back toward the home of his former consigner. When he arrived he planned to make work of the matter, banging on the door and asking for the remainder of his funds for the job.