Tais was caught completely off kilter as a seemingly bossy and rude woman stomped down the stairs and made her way to the counter, effectively interrupting the discussion he was having with the man behind the desk. Those large black eyes quietly stared at the woman and Tais backed up a few steps to give her some room. He couldn’t help it! She seemed more intimidating than he was.
Fin shot her down, but the giant slowly shook his head. “Sir, with all due respect, please tend to the lady’s needs. She is obviously in much more of a hurry than I am. Besides, she’s injured and those bandages should be of the most importance right now.” A solemn look fell over Tais’ feature, indicating he was perfectly fine with waiting. It was then that he noticed two others come basically tumbling down the stairs, each obviously trying to keep up with this fireball of a woman.
Tais knew that Fin would be busy for a bit, so he casually strolled his way over to where Dirken stood and he too leaned comfortably against the wall, eyes returning to and fixing on Iarei. He said nothing for several moments, debating in his mind if he should even waste his time speaking with these people. He decided to simply keep quiet at first, but it seemed the longer the wait was the more impatient Iarei got. A low chuckle slipped from the large man’s throat and he glanced down to Dirken. “So, is she always like this or is she in rare form today? She looks a little..High strung?”
His arms crossed his chest and those black hues momentarily shifted to the boy sitting in the corner of the room looking like he was going to pass out. A warm smile spread across thin lips and Tais nodded his way in greeting. In reality, Tais wondered if the boy found this crazy woman as scary as he did!
In for a Bishan
Re: In for a Bishan
Iarei shut her mouth as Tais spoke up, and paused in her stormy center to give him a hard look. It was a considering look, and had more thought in it than irritation at being interrupted. Tais walked away, leaving Fin to her calming wrath, and she couldn't help a glance after the very large and seemingly docile man. She was surprised, but she mastered her curiosity to give Fin a shark toothed smile. Fin was obviously less happy than she to be so quickly reacquainted with her, but he mastered his own emotions with quick professionalism and returned her a congenial smile.
As she bickered over details with the clerk, she was surprised at how tired she felt. The various boosts of shock and their accompanying energy she'd gotten over the course of the morning were petering out, and her slap dash responses had not done her any better. Maybe it was time to slow down and think about her next move. Splitting up was not something she was keen on doing again, not when none of them had proven worthy of trust. Another wild goose chase would not be likely to be more fruitful, especially if another one ran off.
Maybe it was time to go tavern diving. The thought stuck with her as she glanced back at her haphazardly collected crew before following Fin to one of the kitchens to fetch a serving girl who could help her with her needs. Fin was definitely not growing on her, but the large man seemed to be growing on her crew. A vague notion started to sprout within her, and the smile that curved her lips was by no means a sign of happier things to come.
As she bickered over details with the clerk, she was surprised at how tired she felt. The various boosts of shock and their accompanying energy she'd gotten over the course of the morning were petering out, and her slap dash responses had not done her any better. Maybe it was time to slow down and think about her next move. Splitting up was not something she was keen on doing again, not when none of them had proven worthy of trust. Another wild goose chase would not be likely to be more fruitful, especially if another one ran off.
Maybe it was time to go tavern diving. The thought stuck with her as she glanced back at her haphazardly collected crew before following Fin to one of the kitchens to fetch a serving girl who could help her with her needs. Fin was definitely not growing on her, but the large man seemed to be growing on her crew. A vague notion started to sprout within her, and the smile that curved her lips was by no means a sign of happier things to come.
Re: In for a Bishan
Dirk shrugged. "She's a bit tightly wound at the moment. Her kid's run off and we've lost one of our crew, making him a bit hard to find." He was going to have to tread carefully here. He wanted this man on their team, but he wanted him on his team -- if things turned sour with Iarei (a scenario that was looking increasingly likely), he still wanted to be able to work with this guy in the future. "That other guy with her? Supposed to be helping. Useless. My boys should be here, but they were already tied up in something. Now that my partner's lost, we don't have enough hands. All worried mothers are scary as hell. Name's Dirk, by the way."
Re: In for a Bishan
When the giant smiled at him, Erryl just stared back, wide-eyed and watchful. First impressions aside, the man didn't seem threatening at all; quite the opposite, in fact. Erryl was getting nothing but good vibes from him, which quite confused the visual part of his mind. Dirk still felt like a lifeless thing from here, which was even more confusing. It's not like there was anything particularly odd about the man. He just felt different.
Dirken was having what looked like casual conversation with the bigger man, a little too quietly to hear. The only thing Erryl caught was the end: "All worried mothers are scary as hell. Name's Dirk, by the way." He might have assumed Dirk was talking about Iarei with the talk of 'worrying' and the 'scary as hell' description, but they'd learned over breakfast this morning that the boy was only an assistant.
Maybe Dirk had also thought the guy might be one of the men after them, and had lied to hide their identity. He certainly looked like someone you'd pay to beat or kidnap or murder someone for you; even if, somehow... he just didn't seem to be a bad guy at all. Erryl had met his brother's friends, all in work that depended on physical strength, and some of them were pretty scary to look at, even though they (probably) weren't criminals.
It was hard to judge anything anymore, which was really getting on Erryl's nerves; so he just stayed seated, waiting for Iarei to tell him what to do.
Dirken was having what looked like casual conversation with the bigger man, a little too quietly to hear. The only thing Erryl caught was the end: "All worried mothers are scary as hell. Name's Dirk, by the way." He might have assumed Dirk was talking about Iarei with the talk of 'worrying' and the 'scary as hell' description, but they'd learned over breakfast this morning that the boy was only an assistant.
Maybe Dirk had also thought the guy might be one of the men after them, and had lied to hide their identity. He certainly looked like someone you'd pay to beat or kidnap or murder someone for you; even if, somehow... he just didn't seem to be a bad guy at all. Erryl had met his brother's friends, all in work that depended on physical strength, and some of them were pretty scary to look at, even though they (probably) weren't criminals.
It was hard to judge anything anymore, which was really getting on Erryl's nerves; so he just stayed seated, waiting for Iarei to tell him what to do.
Re: In for a Bishan
As Dirk explained the situation, Tais’ features fell and his gaze hardened on Iarei. So her child was missing? That had to be hard on her. Tais felt his heart contract in his chest and he shifted from one foot to another uncomfortably. He knew he shouldn’t involve himself with these things, but if I child was out there in this city alone then he was in danger. As fascinated with Marn as he was, he knew the dangers of being in a city this large. There were all types of people, all types of dangerous people.
Dirk finished by introducing himself and Tais cleared his throat casually after having fallen silent for several moments there. “I’m Tais. It’s a pleasure, Dirk.” The man extended a large hand in respect, leaving it there for a mere moment if Dirk so chose to shake it. “I am sorry for your situation. Give me a moment please, I’ll be back in a bit.” Tais pushed off the wall and approached Iarei silently. He wasn’t quite sure how to do this and was still uncomfortable about the entire aspect of getting involved, but he knew he would never forgive himself if something happened to that boy. “Hello, madame. If I may have a moment of your time..” He paused, hoping that the woman gave him her temporary attention. It’s not like she had anything better to do as she waited. Once she had given a hint that she was listening, he would continue. “I am Tais. I heard about your troubles, heard that your boy is missing..If you would allow, I would like to join the search for him. I know it can be dangerous out there and I wouldn’t want to see him hurt..And I’m sure you must be worried sick about him.”
And so there Tais was, ever gentle, ever caring. He had no idea what he was walking into, nor did he have any clue that he was being deceived by Dirk. He had no reason to believe the man was lying. It seemed despite his attempts to avoid it, he was still a bit gullible.
Dirk finished by introducing himself and Tais cleared his throat casually after having fallen silent for several moments there. “I’m Tais. It’s a pleasure, Dirk.” The man extended a large hand in respect, leaving it there for a mere moment if Dirk so chose to shake it. “I am sorry for your situation. Give me a moment please, I’ll be back in a bit.” Tais pushed off the wall and approached Iarei silently. He wasn’t quite sure how to do this and was still uncomfortable about the entire aspect of getting involved, but he knew he would never forgive himself if something happened to that boy. “Hello, madame. If I may have a moment of your time..” He paused, hoping that the woman gave him her temporary attention. It’s not like she had anything better to do as she waited. Once she had given a hint that she was listening, he would continue. “I am Tais. I heard about your troubles, heard that your boy is missing..If you would allow, I would like to join the search for him. I know it can be dangerous out there and I wouldn’t want to see him hurt..And I’m sure you must be worried sick about him.”
And so there Tais was, ever gentle, ever caring. He had no idea what he was walking into, nor did he have any clue that he was being deceived by Dirk. He had no reason to believe the man was lying. It seemed despite his attempts to avoid it, he was still a bit gullible.
Re: In for a Bishan
Iarei was returning from her small trip back with one of the serving girls, clean strips of linen in one hand and a small pan of steaming water in the other, when Tais got in her way. Again.
She looked him up and down slowly, expression fading to a hard edged blandness that came with the chance for him to speak his piece. It was an attitude that was stiff with warning to not take liberties, though what those might be was yet a mystery. Her crew worked fast. She was surprised at it, really, and at the large man who was not so fierce as he looked.
She pursed her lips. Her hand was stinging and aching, and there was Erryl's awkward limp to see to. Delaying for chit-chat would only hamper her later. "Follow." She said briskly to Tais, giving first Dirken and then Erryl steady looks, and went promptly upstairs.
She focused on first cleaning out her own scrape, not bothering to look up at who did or did not follow, and allowed her concern for her livelihood to supercede all else for a short while.
She looked him up and down slowly, expression fading to a hard edged blandness that came with the chance for him to speak his piece. It was an attitude that was stiff with warning to not take liberties, though what those might be was yet a mystery. Her crew worked fast. She was surprised at it, really, and at the large man who was not so fierce as he looked.
She pursed her lips. Her hand was stinging and aching, and there was Erryl's awkward limp to see to. Delaying for chit-chat would only hamper her later. "Follow." She said briskly to Tais, giving first Dirken and then Erryl steady looks, and went promptly upstairs.
She focused on first cleaning out her own scrape, not bothering to look up at who did or did not follow, and allowed her concern for her livelihood to supercede all else for a short while.
Re: In for a Bishan
Dirk followed.
He had a fair amount of first aid expertise (he could thank his resistance to the minor healing magic many of his type found in the right places to thank for that), but Iarei had her treatment well in hand, so he didn't try to help. That was a good way to end up with injuries of his own.
"We have a location last seen now," he said as she worked, "where we can start searching for Jester and the boy again. They've probably moved on but it gives us a starting point. The boy, at least, is quick and streetsmart. I'm sure he's fine." Dirken was more worried about the statues.
He'd had some time to think. He didn't think Jester's truth-and-justice delusion was an act. And the boy was Iarei's. She surely knew his limits; if snatching the statue like that from his own master was normal behaviour she would've taken precautions. He'd seen the way the others had reacted to the statues. He'd seen that in people before. It was magic; the flashy, obvious kind of magic.
And the boy and Jester had both stolen it. Iarei, who seemed cautious and responsible enough for somebody of her circumstance, had jumped in without blinking. Erryl looked scared and confused about everything and he was still there. The thugs should've at least tried to hurt him, but they'd handed over money desperately to save time in their chase.
It was like an obsession. To what lengths would the people involved go to acquire them? Would the thugs bother to come back and kill everyone involved, or would their obsession be sated merely by having the statues? What did the statues do? The book Erryl had found had been frustratingly useless, with all the important bits that could piece the rest together slashed out by government censors. There was nothing for it. Dirken was immune. The others were easily bespelled. If they got the statues back... he was going to have to get them for himself. He was going to have to protect the group.
And if that left him the sole possessor of two objects that magically compelled people to see them as extremely valuable, that was just something he was going to have to put up with. Exactly how much somebody would bid for such things was an interesting question.
He had a fair amount of first aid expertise (he could thank his resistance to the minor healing magic many of his type found in the right places to thank for that), but Iarei had her treatment well in hand, so he didn't try to help. That was a good way to end up with injuries of his own.
"We have a location last seen now," he said as she worked, "where we can start searching for Jester and the boy again. They've probably moved on but it gives us a starting point. The boy, at least, is quick and streetsmart. I'm sure he's fine." Dirken was more worried about the statues.
He'd had some time to think. He didn't think Jester's truth-and-justice delusion was an act. And the boy was Iarei's. She surely knew his limits; if snatching the statue like that from his own master was normal behaviour she would've taken precautions. He'd seen the way the others had reacted to the statues. He'd seen that in people before. It was magic; the flashy, obvious kind of magic.
And the boy and Jester had both stolen it. Iarei, who seemed cautious and responsible enough for somebody of her circumstance, had jumped in without blinking. Erryl looked scared and confused about everything and he was still there. The thugs should've at least tried to hurt him, but they'd handed over money desperately to save time in their chase.
It was like an obsession. To what lengths would the people involved go to acquire them? Would the thugs bother to come back and kill everyone involved, or would their obsession be sated merely by having the statues? What did the statues do? The book Erryl had found had been frustratingly useless, with all the important bits that could piece the rest together slashed out by government censors. There was nothing for it. Dirken was immune. The others were easily bespelled. If they got the statues back... he was going to have to get them for himself. He was going to have to protect the group.
And if that left him the sole possessor of two objects that magically compelled people to see them as extremely valuable, that was just something he was going to have to put up with. Exactly how much somebody would bid for such things was an interesting question.
Re: In for a Bishan
Once again, Erryl was quick to obey, this time motivated by the unreasonable feeling that the upstairs rooms were somehow safer. Nowhere to run from the upper floor of a building, considering all exits could easily be cut off in a dangerous situation; however, to be out in the open made Erryl feel incredibly uneasy.
The only thing that caused him to hesitate, however briefly, was realizing that the tall stranger - Tais, he'd called himself - had also chosen to join them. Iarei had clearly allowed it, so it didn't seem something to worry about, even if it did cause Erryl to worry a little.
As soon as they were back in their room, Iarei began patching the injuries unintentionally caused by Erryl himself - a sight which caused the young man a heavy feeling of guilt - while Dirken began explaining the situation regarding Jester and the bard's apprentice being kidnapped. The thought that the innocent performer had fallen into the hands of such angry, violent criminals, who were likely to torture the poor woman, made Erryl feel even worse about the situation, even if that particular problem hadn't been Erryl's fault at all.
In fact, it had been Iarei's apprentice who'd caused all the trouble in the first place. The stupid boy had stolen something clearly important, likely extremely valuable, and now they were all in serious danger. They were all going to die because of that little thief, and it seemed as though everyone was a lot more worried about the child than they were about the very injured Jester.
It was Dirken's comment - "I'm sure he's fine," seemingly intended to reassure everyone that the boy would be alright - that finally got to Erryl. So much concern for someone Erryl hardly thought deserving; it really didn't seem fair, and it stirred up all the awful feelings of guilt and fear, frustration and confusion, until he decided he had to do something - anything - to help the situation.
But what could he do? That's what it always came back to. He would have to make use of what skills he did have, and fast. He ran his fingers through his hair as he turned to Tais. Iarei and Dirken were unfamiliar with Marn, as far as Erryl knew, but this man could know more. "Uh, are you from this city... sir? Do you know the area?"
The only thing that caused him to hesitate, however briefly, was realizing that the tall stranger - Tais, he'd called himself - had also chosen to join them. Iarei had clearly allowed it, so it didn't seem something to worry about, even if it did cause Erryl to worry a little.
As soon as they were back in their room, Iarei began patching the injuries unintentionally caused by Erryl himself - a sight which caused the young man a heavy feeling of guilt - while Dirken began explaining the situation regarding Jester and the bard's apprentice being kidnapped. The thought that the innocent performer had fallen into the hands of such angry, violent criminals, who were likely to torture the poor woman, made Erryl feel even worse about the situation, even if that particular problem hadn't been Erryl's fault at all.
In fact, it had been Iarei's apprentice who'd caused all the trouble in the first place. The stupid boy had stolen something clearly important, likely extremely valuable, and now they were all in serious danger. They were all going to die because of that little thief, and it seemed as though everyone was a lot more worried about the child than they were about the very injured Jester.
It was Dirken's comment - "I'm sure he's fine," seemingly intended to reassure everyone that the boy would be alright - that finally got to Erryl. So much concern for someone Erryl hardly thought deserving; it really didn't seem fair, and it stirred up all the awful feelings of guilt and fear, frustration and confusion, until he decided he had to do something - anything - to help the situation.
But what could he do? That's what it always came back to. He would have to make use of what skills he did have, and fast. He ran his fingers through his hair as he turned to Tais. Iarei and Dirken were unfamiliar with Marn, as far as Erryl knew, but this man could know more. "Uh, are you from this city... sir? Do you know the area?"
Re: In for a Bishan
As he was commanded to follow, Tais found himself eagerly following Iarei up the stairs. He would finally get to make some use of himself! Then again, if he knew what kind of trouble he was begging for with these people, he would have likely tucked tail and run the other way. He was actually joyful until they reached it; another doorway stood in his path and the giant let out a long sigh. Why did people bother with doors? After a bit of struggling and bumping his head on the door frame, Tais finally made his way into the room.
Once inside, the man he had met moments ago began to give him a bit of a status report. For the first time, this woman, this Jester was mentioned. Tais found confusion spinning in his head for a moment and he cleared his throat. “I..This Jester..Is he an adult?” Tais assumed it was a he, but really it wasn’t a gender specific name. It was more like a profession than anything! “If so, how well do you know him? Do you have any ideas about where he might would go? Also, is the boy with him or..?” Tais found more and more questions filling his mind and he was about to begin drilling these people. He took a glance at Iarei though. That single glance at a wounded mother was enough to make his suspicions go away.
“I think there is more going on here than what I’ve been told. That said, I don’t want to know. I think it’s better like that, so whenever you are ready, just take me to wherever it was you last saw the boy. I will find him.” This man seemed oddly confident. Here they had been searching for the boy all this time and hadn’t had much luck, but for some reason this man seemed to think it would be easy.
Erryl’s question though caught Tais by surprise and he glanced to the boy wide-eyed. He didn’t really feel like lying, so he shook his head slowly. “No, I’m not from here. I’m not from anywhere, really. That said, I can..Uh..” The large man looked down and went just slightly pale. He knew that the people of Marn frowned on magic and that it was even against the law. That said, he wasn’t sure how strict the laws were and he didn’t even have a firm grip on the idea of what magic really was. What were their opinions on shifters? Was shifting considered magic? Tais swallowed the lump in his throat and began to speak slowly. He had gotten himself into this, he should at least go on with it. “I can track..I can track very..Very well..Better than anyone in this room, I’m sure.” He rose a hand to motion towards his nose. “This can smell fresh prey from a league away in a snow storm..If you give me anything..A trail, even something with the boy’s scent..I can find him.”
Once inside, the man he had met moments ago began to give him a bit of a status report. For the first time, this woman, this Jester was mentioned. Tais found confusion spinning in his head for a moment and he cleared his throat. “I..This Jester..Is he an adult?” Tais assumed it was a he, but really it wasn’t a gender specific name. It was more like a profession than anything! “If so, how well do you know him? Do you have any ideas about where he might would go? Also, is the boy with him or..?” Tais found more and more questions filling his mind and he was about to begin drilling these people. He took a glance at Iarei though. That single glance at a wounded mother was enough to make his suspicions go away.
“I think there is more going on here than what I’ve been told. That said, I don’t want to know. I think it’s better like that, so whenever you are ready, just take me to wherever it was you last saw the boy. I will find him.” This man seemed oddly confident. Here they had been searching for the boy all this time and hadn’t had much luck, but for some reason this man seemed to think it would be easy.
Erryl’s question though caught Tais by surprise and he glanced to the boy wide-eyed. He didn’t really feel like lying, so he shook his head slowly. “No, I’m not from here. I’m not from anywhere, really. That said, I can..Uh..” The large man looked down and went just slightly pale. He knew that the people of Marn frowned on magic and that it was even against the law. That said, he wasn’t sure how strict the laws were and he didn’t even have a firm grip on the idea of what magic really was. What were their opinions on shifters? Was shifting considered magic? Tais swallowed the lump in his throat and began to speak slowly. He had gotten himself into this, he should at least go on with it. “I can track..I can track very..Very well..Better than anyone in this room, I’m sure.” He rose a hand to motion towards his nose. “This can smell fresh prey from a league away in a snow storm..If you give me anything..A trail, even something with the boy’s scent..I can find him.”
Re: In for a Bishan
It was as though Tais' appearance had reminded Iarei of her training in propriety. She sat straight, and contained the fury that boiled at her insides in its demand to escape. She was a bard, for Changers' sakes. She could control her emotions as she pleased, without effort! That was how it was supposed to be. Yet her emotions continued to rise up, threatened to strangle her each breath and choke her until she couldn't help but scream. Deep breaths.
"Jester is a woman," she interrupted Tais at the end of his questions before he spoke again. She finished with her hand, and took what remained to Erryl. She commanded him with a sharp movement for the injured leg, and took it with a confidence that belied actual practice. She spoke again when he had finished, looking at him searchingly.
"I am a player -- a bard -- from Eyropa. I am building my troupe, my family. We were. . .auditioning when my boy snuck off. It has been very hectic since I have arrived, and I fear I have not been generous with how I have treated my companions." She controlled her tone down low, speaking with regret and the barest hint of chagrin. "We are a mixed bunch. I won't pry about your, ah, ability."
She looked at Dirken. "We will no longer be splitting our search. I have no wish for any more of us to go missing. We'll all go, and we'll see what Tais is capable of. My boy got himself into trouble, you know." She said as she turned her head towards Tais, her eyes critical. "I will pay you for your work. If all goes well, maybe I'll take you into my troupe."
She was smiling now, but she was very grim.
"Jester is a woman," she interrupted Tais at the end of his questions before he spoke again. She finished with her hand, and took what remained to Erryl. She commanded him with a sharp movement for the injured leg, and took it with a confidence that belied actual practice. She spoke again when he had finished, looking at him searchingly.
"I am a player -- a bard -- from Eyropa. I am building my troupe, my family. We were. . .auditioning when my boy snuck off. It has been very hectic since I have arrived, and I fear I have not been generous with how I have treated my companions." She controlled her tone down low, speaking with regret and the barest hint of chagrin. "We are a mixed bunch. I won't pry about your, ah, ability."
She looked at Dirken. "We will no longer be splitting our search. I have no wish for any more of us to go missing. We'll all go, and we'll see what Tais is capable of. My boy got himself into trouble, you know." She said as she turned her head towards Tais, her eyes critical. "I will pay you for your work. If all goes well, maybe I'll take you into my troupe."
She was smiling now, but she was very grim.
Re: In for a Bishan
Dirken nodded. Iarei's side was beginning to look strong -- maybe he shouldn't have betrayed them at all. Maybe he should have put all his eggs in one basket, pressed for their victory. No; that was just hindsight talking. Besides, if Jester hadn't gone missing, they probably wouldn't even have taken Tais aboard.
"Should we start where we sighted the boy last, and have Tais track from there?" Dirken asked.
"Should we start where we sighted the boy last, and have Tais track from there?" Dirken asked.
Re: In for a Bishan
Erryl raised his eyebrows as Tais described his acute sense of smell. It certainly wasn't the sort of skill you'd expect from a man of his appearance, though it would certainly be useful in a situation like this. In fact, it seemed a little too convenient, but he chose to put that thought aside, at least until they left the inn.
Although he remained quiet while Iarei spoke, Dirken's comment gave Erryl reason to comment. "Wouldn't they expect that though? I- I mean, if they know you'd go looking for Jester and the boy, they know you'd go back to where you last saw them, right? If... uh, Tais can track as well as he says, then it should work... without getting too close to places they'd think we'd go. Right?"
Although he remained quiet while Iarei spoke, Dirken's comment gave Erryl reason to comment. "Wouldn't they expect that though? I- I mean, if they know you'd go looking for Jester and the boy, they know you'd go back to where you last saw them, right? If... uh, Tais can track as well as he says, then it should work... without getting too close to places they'd think we'd go. Right?"
Re: In for a Bishan
Tais glanced up to Iarei when she interrupted him. “A woman, hrm? How..Curious..” Why was it curious that Jester was a woman? Because she managed to get herself caught up in this whole situation. Most women he had met had good enough heads on their shoulders to avoid these situations. Once again he was wondering if there was more to this situation.
His attention was snapped back to the present as Iarei continued onwards about not prying into his ability, which actually made him breathe a sigh of relief. That would make this whole situation much, much more simple. “Well, thank you for your offer. I have been looking for future work, so I would love to speak to you about such a venture in the near future. At the moment, however, we must find your boy.”
Black hues rolled over to Dirken and Erryl and a kind smile slowly stretched across his features. Erryl mentioned ‘them’, which now made it quite clear that this was not simply a missing boy. No, that child had been kidnaped. It explained why the group was so ragged and tired. They were battling more than just a missing child. It mattered not though. The woman mentioned money and that was all Tais needed to hear. “Once again, I won’t ask. There is money involved, that’s all I need for the moment..” Tais couldn’t help but feel like a dirty slut for a moment. Pay me and I’ll do whatever you want!
At Erryl’s question though, Tais shook his head. “I’m afraid it doesn’t quite work like that. This is a large city and well..There are a lot of scents which will mask the boy’s. I need to go where it will be strongest to pick up his trail and somewhere where he has been recently would be best bet. So, lead me there and hand me something that smells like the child and we will find him, I assure you. Besides that, it’s likely that he’s near the last location you saw him. After all, if you didn’t catch him there the first time..He probably thinks he is safe.” Tais was a professional tracker and he had used that technique before. Allowed his prey to think it was safe in an area only to come back and collect at a later time.
“So, shall we?” the large man rose a curious brow and squeezed his way back out the door. He was ready to get this show on the road. He had a feeling that the sooner he got done with all of this, the better.
His attention was snapped back to the present as Iarei continued onwards about not prying into his ability, which actually made him breathe a sigh of relief. That would make this whole situation much, much more simple. “Well, thank you for your offer. I have been looking for future work, so I would love to speak to you about such a venture in the near future. At the moment, however, we must find your boy.”
Black hues rolled over to Dirken and Erryl and a kind smile slowly stretched across his features. Erryl mentioned ‘them’, which now made it quite clear that this was not simply a missing boy. No, that child had been kidnaped. It explained why the group was so ragged and tired. They were battling more than just a missing child. It mattered not though. The woman mentioned money and that was all Tais needed to hear. “Once again, I won’t ask. There is money involved, that’s all I need for the moment..” Tais couldn’t help but feel like a dirty slut for a moment. Pay me and I’ll do whatever you want!
At Erryl’s question though, Tais shook his head. “I’m afraid it doesn’t quite work like that. This is a large city and well..There are a lot of scents which will mask the boy’s. I need to go where it will be strongest to pick up his trail and somewhere where he has been recently would be best bet. So, lead me there and hand me something that smells like the child and we will find him, I assure you. Besides that, it’s likely that he’s near the last location you saw him. After all, if you didn’t catch him there the first time..He probably thinks he is safe.” Tais was a professional tracker and he had used that technique before. Allowed his prey to think it was safe in an area only to come back and collect at a later time.
“So, shall we?” the large man rose a curious brow and squeezed his way back out the door. He was ready to get this show on the road. He had a feeling that the sooner he got done with all of this, the better.
Re: In for a Bishan
Iarei barged out ahead of Tais, though the face she wore was demure enough. She was glad the mercenary Dirken had picked the man up; it was a long due reminder that she needed to control her emotions. Control? Not show. She doubted very much her ability to tamp down the deep, earthy spring of rage that pooled up and out. The desire to lead and take them to where they needed to go was a demand within her, but such things were only possible when you knew where to go.
"We'll follow you, Dir. . .uh, Dirky." She said, and stiffly turned to offer her uninjured hand to Erryl. "You and I shall hobble along behind, yes?"
"We'll follow you, Dir. . .uh, Dirky." She said, and stiffly turned to offer her uninjured hand to Erryl. "You and I shall hobble along behind, yes?"
Re: In for a Bishan
Dirken narrowed his eyes at the stupid nickname, knowing full well that nobody would notice or care. He'd risk his life for the chance of a long-term partnership with these people but he wasn't sure he could tolerate "Dirky" for much longer.
The gentleman in him, or at least the carefully acquired habits of one that served him so well when he needed to charm certain people, wanted to protest leading a frail, injured woman into danger, but there was no choice. Time was important, she wouldn't sit this one out and he knew he'd only anger her if he asked, so he tipped his hat and lead the way. Dirken had long ago perfected a gait which looked a lot more hurried than it was, so while he seemed to be moving along at a brisk pace he didn't need to pause for Iarei and Erryl as much as it seemed he would. He paused when he needed to, without comment, but didn't offer her any sort of help.
"I'd just spotted the kid in an alley and wanted to talk him out," Dirk explained as they walked. "I tried to split up and send Jester the other way so's not to spook him, but she wasn't having any of it; she was heading for the kid when the thugs jumped me. I tried to send them off in another direction but I don't think they bought it."
The gentleman in him, or at least the carefully acquired habits of one that served him so well when he needed to charm certain people, wanted to protest leading a frail, injured woman into danger, but there was no choice. Time was important, she wouldn't sit this one out and he knew he'd only anger her if he asked, so he tipped his hat and lead the way. Dirken had long ago perfected a gait which looked a lot more hurried than it was, so while he seemed to be moving along at a brisk pace he didn't need to pause for Iarei and Erryl as much as it seemed he would. He paused when he needed to, without comment, but didn't offer her any sort of help.
"I'd just spotted the kid in an alley and wanted to talk him out," Dirk explained as they walked. "I tried to split up and send Jester the other way so's not to spook him, but she wasn't having any of it; she was heading for the kid when the thugs jumped me. I tried to send them off in another direction but I don't think they bought it."