[The Great Bazaar] Rats In A Maze (open)

[Ash'eny]

Ash'eny chuckled lightly as the woman only suggested that he better hope she wasn't cannibalistic. What a threat! Still, it was beginning to get very fun and interesting now. It was helping him forget, but eventually his morality stepped in, and razzing on a woman was neither gentlemanly or kind. It hurt some and benefited none. Ash'eny sighed as he lifted his hand to his face and nibbled on his thumb for a moment. His hand was revealed as only having four fingers, assuming anybody could pry their eyes off of Gereth and his charm. Making up his mind, he would fade back into the crowd and weasel through until he was next to Danika. "Hi there. I think we started off on the wrong foot. I may not have been as welcoming to a newcomer as I should have been. What do you say, wipe the slate clean and try this meeting from scratch?" Ash'eny offered his hand towards Danika to shake, the official greeting of most human races. The whole time he did so, he held a smile, yet his eyes would occasionally bounce back towards the mysterious yellow eyed man. The yellow eyes, Ash'eny saw them again as he just stared. That's right, that strange man had known something serious about him. Could it be he knew too much? Knowing Ash'eny had a drinking problem and was a loner was one thing, but if he knew about his personal and private life, then he might really have to kill him, or at least lead the Knights to him. Preferably the latter.

[Danika]

A smile spread on Danika’s face as Gereth practically ignored her comment. Angry she was angry but she was also, calm. Calm as stillwater, she physically relaxed her tense muscles slackening visibly. She glanced at Gareth and tickled Atlas from inside her pocket. “Who calls you vermin little one?” She whispered sweetly to the happy rat.

She was surprised when Tolby came up to her and talked to her.
“I never start with a foot in general, keep them steady and parallel, best fighting position…” She chuckled and grasped his hand noticing without commenting the lack of a finger. “I’m Danika” She looked around “Sure things are different from Sunberth…” She commented more to herself then to the man.“And as for slates they are as clean as you make them”

Gereth had the crowd at his mercy, purses were being opened and dreams were being misled. But it was all very polite. As if all copper coins could be gold, and a king was a king because he wore a gold crown. People could be so…gullible and things were so...complicated.

[Gereth]

Finally the bidding war had begun. People began offering him mizas for the useless and definitely worthless string of dried rat’s feet in his hand. Gereth’s eyes flashed with humor as people started adding the stories of why they should be the one to possess Olinhar’s charm to the bids. He heard about bills piling up, unrequited love, and more. The coyote put on a face that looked discriminating as if any other factor than who was offering the most money or at least the most amusing story would be chosen. He tapped two of his fingers against his lip in thought and chanted more words in his nonsense language and then finally squared off with one person. He tilted his head upward more so he could stare at them, having just heard the story of the rich man’s daughter that he was trying to woo, he being but a poor pitiful servent in the man’s kitchen. Gereth could hear the desperation in his voice... and if the price was right. Ash and Danika continued to have their conversation within the crowd and Gereth knew the pair had taken an unhealthy level of interest in him but as long as the crowd was about there would be nothing to be done. He grinned to himself. He spoke in a clear loud voice. “The spirits have spoken! This young man will buy Olinhar’s charm. You’ll surely win the heart of your beloved if you slip it into her bedchamber." He said this as seriously as one would report news of bad health. He took the young man’s money and slipped it into the folds of his cloak before stepping backward. Unlike most of the people in Sylrias Gereth was familiar intimately with every nook and cranny and was more than prepared to make a speedy getaway if need be.. in whatever form was required of him. He glanced around and prepared his escape route as he moved to follow the crowd back out into the open.

[Ash'eny]

"Yes, best stance for fighting. I actually meant it in a metaphorical sense, but I think the point made it." Ash'eny was quick to observe the firm handshake she gave him. It was fairly uncommon that a woman would even shake your hand, especially one that thought of themselves as a lady. This one not only responded like the typical human male would, but her grip was firm. He could only assume she was independent. "You're from Sunberth as well then? I was born there, raised myself there, and left nearly a year ago. It seems so long ago, yet I still feel the wickedness of that place nipping at my heels and hanging from my shoulders. Syliras is very different. It's hard adapting here, or at least it was for me. The paranoia never really goes away for me." Ash'eny grinned as he released her hand. It both felt good and awkward to find somebody with the same roots as he. Ash'eny glanced away from Danika to see the crowd dissipating, most of which left in a sour mood. He could now finally talk to the odd man. Still wearing his strange grin, Ash'eny returned his gaze back to Danika. "If you'll excuse me. I don't mean to cut this conversation short, but I've got a mysterious salesman to interrogate." Ash'eny spun on his heel and moved towards Gereth (behind his stall if he had one), waiting until the buyer of his crummy little charm had left (and as beautifully ignorant and joyous as he could be), he spoke. "You've got only a few short moments to tell me how you know know so much about me before I stick you and leave you to die. You might think the Knights around here can keep you safe, but I've got secrets that'll protect me from them. Don't try to run either, it's not necessary, and the knights will chase you down for no more than suspicious behavior." Just so this little meeting didn't look vile or wicked at all from a distance, Ash'eny painted his face with a false smile and patted Gereth lightly on his shoulder, though his other hand was resting somewhere under his cloak, most likely fingering his dagger with twitching fingers ready to spill blood. When all this was done, Ash'eny would surely feel a sense of bewilderment from his own actions, unsure what vile spirit had possessed him, but he would definitely like it.

[Danika]

She doubted they came from the same situation in Sunberth. Her father had been wealthy, well he made money in ways better not put to light but she had led a fairly soft life with all she pleased: mostly weapon and combat training. Her father had never said anything, she didn’t ask for pretty dresses or any frivols things she just wanted a weapon master.
She just nodded her head a clear blue eye fixed on Gereth.

Gereth had happily sold the horrid little dried feet and was slinking away only to be stopped by Tolby, Danika interested and a bit vindictive followed him. “Mind if a join in?” She asked in a tone hat wouldn’t take no for an answer. Tolby sounded serious Danika could only wonder what Gereth had said to trigger such threats.

[Gereth]

Gereth could hear the darkness in the man called Tolby’s voice as he approached him. He could hear the threat poised in the man’s voice even as he made it and knew that he wouldn’t be taking “no” for an answer. The Kelvic knew better than to annoy people when it seemed that they had the upper hand. However, he also knew that the Knights simply wouldn’t be able to ignore a cold blooded murder in a crowded street at midday regardless of the secrets that Tolby might or might not possess. Lying was a tricky business. He glanced at Tolby and Danika from the other side and shook his head. He reached upward and pulled down his hood, his eyes glittering brightly in the sun that filtered in through the windows and walls of the castle. Glancing to Ash Gereth whispered “It’s the eyes you see. They are good for looking into dark places, in here.” He poked Ash lightly on the chest in a slow and fluid motion that wasn’t at all threatening but levelled flatly and gently... and unafraid (unafraid was important). He turned to glance at Danika as they walked and arched an eyebrow at her, rugged features now in full view. Beneath his cloak however he worked one hand around the tunic he wore and pulled it looser. “Is there something you need, miss?” The coyote was still having fun though, and that was all that really mattered. Gereth smiled, more to himself than to anyone else and continued their walk into the more crowded streets of the bazaar.

[Ash'eny]

Ash'eny allowed the Kelvic to prod his chest, though he thought hard about thrusting his knife straight through the swindler's hand as he did so. Perhaps he wanted to be one finger short? Ash'eny didn't think it was so bad. One gets used to things like this. He offer a dry smile that simply uttered 'I am not amused', yet surprisingly stayed quiet for a moment. In fact, it wasn't until the trio was walking by and alleyway that Ash'eny grabbed a hold of Gereth's cloak and pushed him inside the narrow passage. He drew the dagger out from under his cloak and aimed it directly for the man's sternum. It wouldn't take but a small poke to end him now. "Drop the act you idiot. I'll ask you once more how you know so much about me. And what else do you know? All I need to do is turn you over to the knights for whatever I want to say and you will be imprisoned, perhaps killed if I make it sound really heinous. I have friend in their ranks, all I need to do is pull a few strings to make sure you never see another ray of sunlight for as long as you live, or a swift death to make sure you don't reveal what you shouldn't even know. What are you? Ebonstryfe? Sunberth scum finally coming to claim vengeance over my dead body? You best choose your words carefully, I'm not in the mood for any more shyke. We clear?" All the while they stood there, Ash'eny kept a firm grasp on the man's cloak and the weapon at his chest. There was no telling what this man was capable of. If he was from Sunberth on a mission to hunt Ash'eny, then that meant a good deal of crap that he really didn't want to deal with, but at least he could be ready. If it was Ebonstryfe, he wouldn't hesitate to contact Sergeant Tucesi right away. She'd be thankful for such information. It was just difficult to know if this was a personal attack, an attack on the city, or if Ash'eny simply was being paranoid. One way or another, he was dangerous in that panicked mode. 'Kill or be killed. That's how it is in nature. You are either the hunter, or the prey. The survivor, or the dead.' This whole time, Ash'eny seemed to have forgotten Danika was even with them, assuming she followed him into the alleyway.

[Danika]

Indeed was there something she needed, she smiled and said “No, don’t worry yourself”

Danika’s mouth almost dropped open as The Ebonstryfe was mentioned. She looked at Gereth her eyebrow raised.
She was a bit worried when Tolby brandished a dagger but she simply stood a leaning against the wall, poised for any sudden movements. But when Tolby had finished speaking she tapped the blade and said “Put it away” She looked at Tolby and quietly said “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire and this is Syliras”
The Kelvics chances were very few and she didn’t mind evening the odds more sport then.
She looked at Gereth with interest his features were not quite ordinary yellow eyes and all.
Before saying anything more she waited for the man to reply.

[Gereth]

Gereth’s eyes widened slightly as he felt the tip of the dagger press against his breastbone. Humans were always getting very upset over little things. He didn’t know who Ebonstryfe was, he honestly didn’t care but he bit his lip in contemplation as he surveyed the man in front of him. Tolby was afraid. Not of him necessarily but afraid in general. Gereth could hear the tremor in the man’s voice when he spoke to him, he smelled his fear. As he leaned against the wall of the alleyway the Kelvic had little choice but to play along he supposed. The coyote flashed Danika a thankful small smile as she tried to restore at least some semblance of... him not dying to this situation which was rapidly growing more tense. Gereth’s thoughts raced as he struggled to keep his instincts in check. For the first time in this encounter Gereth was considering fighting back, sinking his teeth into Ash’s throat and ripping it out. It would probably lead to his death but he didn’t take well to being threatened all the same. Gereth raised his arms in acquiescence showing his palms. “I don’t know who the Ebonstryfe is. And as for your question I already told you the answer. I see things other people don’t.” He shot an apprehensive glance around the area and peered back at Tolby. “Now if you’re the kind of man who stabs an unarmed salesman in the middle of a crowded city... Usually though, I’m right about people. It’s a curse really.” He lowered his voice some. “I’m sorry if that answer isn’t good enough for you... but it’s the only one I have.”

[Ash'eny]

Ash'eny snarled lightly as his blade was tapped away from the man's chest. He had indeed forgotten about that woman's presence, and now wished so much he had told her off or sent her away, as if she would have listened. His glare never left Gereth's eyes. He was definitely sensing a fear in Ash'eny, but as any beast should know, a cornered being is a violent and unpredictable one. Ash'eny felt cornered in his own way. Ash'eny gave Gereth one final push against the wall and he released him and stormed out of the alleyway, nearly pushing Danika over completely if she was in his path. Ash'eny would be watching the swindler closely. Gereth may have a unique 'sight', as he put it, but Ash'eny had eyes and voices all over the city. When you play the part of a beggar so well that you befriend the real ones, there's no telling what you can learn. Ash'eny had found this out for himself long ago. Without another word to either person, Ash'eny disappeared into the crowd of the Bazaar. Ever to be seen again? More than likely.