The woman grins wryly at the newcomer, cocking her head. "And what would you do in such an event, good Melaphi? Sarcon here is such a dreadful boor. Perhaps you could whip him into shape for me?" Her long lashes flutter at the socialite of the other group, amused look on her face.
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Noting the armor of the newcomer, Marcello is a bit confused at what he is supposed to be. His armor is that of a warrior, yet he could not see any other weapon on his person, other than the dagger and a small crossbow... And the shield of course...
Sighing a bit, Marcello relaxes a bit in his stance and fixes his stare at the newcomer, this Melaphi person before making a small gesture with his hands as if to catch Melaphi's attention. "No, that won't do... Sarcon is very insistent that the Jerky of friendship needs to be tasted at the first meeting, otherwise it is useless."
His voice was rather matter-of-factly, seeing as Marcello had been in the same spot earlier.
He decided to lean a bit over to whisper something in Crystal's ear. A small sentence afterwards, he would get up and move over to the villager that had been standing at their original spot.
Victor, doing his best to ignore the aggressive tensions of his other group members, claps his hands together and exclaims loudly, as if to deafen what the rest of them are saying;
"I fear that my companions have grown a bit bitter and uncomfortable after their deed against the cultists, you will have to bear over with them as much as your temper can. If you are truly just explorers and your only wish is to brave the dangers of the infamous Finder's Keep then I wish to offer you a small deal. We will tag a fair bit behind you, while you can commence your heroic and in return for your services, you will receive 500 gold coins from my own pocket and half of the treasure in the Keep will belong to you. We will not interfere with your party's deed and our orders from Korvosa are met. Surely this will satisfy both parties? If we are to fight then surely we will weaken ourselves so much that we will be overwhelmed by the guardians of this place."
Noticing the newest newcomer, Victor grabs his hand and shakes it as gently as one could expect from a decrepit elderly man. "Shall we see if we can do this without shedding blood?" The comment seems to be as much a plea to Melaphi as it is a question.
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Of course you may keep for later! However Marc is right! If not eaten with a new friend it becomes nothing more then a snack, a tasty snack, but still just a snack.
Sarcon explains the procedure as he takes a piece from the box and begins chewing it, while Presenting the box so Melaphi may take another piece.
Fate inclines her head as a slight regard to Victor. "Herr Victor has vise vords. You vould do vell to take heed."
Victor eye's flicker as he observes Fate's actions and comment and he returns the inclination, a small appreciative grin playing over his lips as he stares at the cold mask.
"I appreciate the gesture, Fate, however, I fear it is hardly wisdom, only the very basic of logic. While my fellow companions might be slightly... untraditional in both their appearance and mannerism, we are in fact not looking for a fight and doing so could only lead to mutually ensured destruction. I have no doubt that you would be capable of killing one or two of us and we would be capable of killing one or two of you. However, it seems that we both have objectives inside this place. Therefor it seems that we have three options; We can either put our small differences behind us and fight together, you will be rewarded with half of the loot and 500 gold coins, you can fight alone and let us tag behind and if you are successful, you will still be rewarded with the gold and your share of the loot or we can fight, and lot of us won't make it away from here. Two of these options will serve the need of us both while the last will only hinder further operations."
The woman in white rolls her eyes at the older man's words but maintains her silence. Her arms cross, and she taps her foot, as though impatient. Her glare seems to go to him almost as much as Patricie, now.
Sanza always tries to act a proper gentleman, even though he is of humble origins. He takes a piece of the offered jerky and looks at it.
Sensing nothing amiss, he takes a bite and thanks Sarcon.
He answers Victor, "Thank you for your offer, but if we brave the dangers first, we would have rightful claim to all the spoils we find. Unless my companions object, how about we both go it alone, and pledge not to fight each other?"
Speaking with syrupy sweetness. "But good sir! Your companion just expressed that this is just an exercise to gauge your's and the girl's capabilities. Now you talk of spoils? These stories, they do not mesh well." She hushes then, looking to the older man again, but is clearly not happy about this situation.
The dismay having finally overcome him, Victor throws his hand up in defeat, he sends a rather annoyed glare at the Keep gate and his chin clenches visibly. "Fine then, the spoil goes to you. We'll wait out here for now and you can take anything that you comes upon in the Keep, it is yours. However, the Keep goes to us or his Grace would be most displeased."
Victor packs in the piece of pergament inside his coat once more, clapping the pocket together with an assured hand. "We have a few construction plans for the development of the town as well, the development has been ready for weeks already and further delays could cost could harm the city in terrible ways, hospitals, a larger church and such constructions need to commence as soon as possible. You'll receive an invitation when the initiation comes. We are not after all, cruel nor heinous, we just want to start the improvement of this little city. It is progress!"
The blonde continues to look sour, then starts to smirk as Victor drones on. She begins to walk back to where her mount waits, skirt billowing as she spins about with not a word.
"It seems her Ladyship is displeased... You will have to pardon me, it is uncouth to let a noble wait. Victor leans forward, in a single swooping movement giving them a low, overly theatrical bow before he turns backwards on his heels and marches after Crystal towards, striding rather swiftly towards her mount.
"A test or not, if we manage to find opposition in there why would we not take what can be taken? Theres no conflict in our statements." Garroth grunted at Crystal, more than a little annoyed.
At Victors last remarks, Garroth scoffed. "Her Ladyship is it now?" He rolled his eyes. "Titles are earned by any family who bears them, but all too often, the generations that follow forget that nobility is not about the title, but the bearing and actions of its wearer." He crossed his arms, scowling. "By my reckonin', your little Lady is no more noble than a common viper. Just as venomous to."
At the half-orc's comment she turns her head slowly to regard him, halting her walking for a moment, 'venomous' smile on her face. "I couldn't agree more, friend. I have a great deal to prove to my family, and I have a feeling, a hunch you might call it, that I will be earning the title Victor has bestowed upon me prematurely in a very short while. There are a few...obstacles...to overcome, first."
With that, she curtsies, then continues to walk away as the older man places his hand on her back, trying to guide her away.
Victor's eyes glimpses violently for a moment, his hands falling to his sides as his mouth falls agape for a single solitary moment. As soon as Crystal draws closer, however, he regains his composure and gently places his withered hand unto her shoulder, leading her to her mount and out of hearing distance from the hero group.
Battling her desire to watch the sunrise rather than contribute to a squabble, Patricie listens on with great intensity, only breaking concentration maybe six to nine times, and twice to welcome Melaphi, and nod at his sharing food with Trilby comment.
Once the girl in white stopped staring at her and went to her horse, she finally thought of something to say, "I don't need any spoils, unless they'll help me protect the caverns. Other than something specific like that, you're welcome to my share, friends." She turns to address her new companions, "I know we were planning on exploring this alone, but I think it would be rude of us to exclude some new people, even if they don't really trust us enough to tell the truth about everything," quick glance at Crystal, "I vote we all go in together, if only to get to know each other better. If, after a while, we find we have nothing in common and simply can't work together, it's a rather large keep, I'm sure we can branch off and go our own ways." She presses her hands together then splays them out while she talks, more subconsciously than anything.
"Also, if you're worried about stealth, we can have a fore-group and a hind-group; that way the fore-group can be stealthy and go back and warn the hind-group of anything we need to worry about," attempting to lighten the mood with humor, she adds, "I think Trilby and I can be stealthy, what do you think buddy?" She looks back at the bear and points two fingers down, which he reacts to by putting his head on the ground and covering his eyes. She chuckles and says, "I guess not..."
Ransaq grows impatient and strolls back over. "What's the hold up?" It's clear he has no intent on entering the keep with the new comers.
"Well isnt that nice of you." Garroth said in a mocking tone. "Challenge a man to a duel in which the rules stack everything in your favor." He eyed Sarcon angrily. "Theres a word that springs to mind...But I wouldn't want to offend." His facial expression did not display any sincerity at his last sentence.
Holstering his backpack, he moved back to Ransaq and the others.
Ransaq clears his throat and looks around, gathering the attention of any crowd available and gesturing toward Sarcon. "Behold good citizens, the bravery of the mighty orc. He's challenged a man half his size and thrice his age to a fist fight!"
Ransaq looks to Sarcon with all the confidence in the world. "One who assumes others a fool is a fool himself orc. Now if your done barking absurdities, I believe we will he on our way. The keep is yours".
Patricie now has the facial expression of one forced to eat a spoonful of black pepper. "Ugh," she grunts, "I should never have left the caverns, you over-worlders wouldn't know a good idea if it came up and bit them on the arm."
"Fine parting words for a coward, elf!" The woman sneers from her vantage point close by. "A view shared by your entire race, I think. It's no wonder you freaks are so long-legged. You spend half your centuries running!"
"I don't trust people who threaten me Patricie, it's a pretty common philosophy. I would think you'd hold your tongue until you've proven your worth, but stay with them if you feel so passionate".
Ransaq turns his back and continues on with Garroth, ignoring the blonde woman's words.
Sanza's eyebrows raise at the mention of a duel, but he loses interest when he hears weapons are disallowed. Sensing there is nothing further to be gained from this encounter, he takes his leave with the rest of his group.
About to take a bite of the jerky, Melaphi simply falls into silence with a sigh as the two groups erupt into an argument.
He gives a deep bow to Crystal as she departs with Victor. "Well miss, until we meet again then - perhaps next time in less crowded circumstances when we can exchange wit in peace."
Patricie rolls her eyes at Ransaq's comment, and follows him as he leaves, mumbling something about people being so sensitive.
Sanza is just turning to leave when he notices the outbreak of...hostilities?
Ransaq
Sarcon
Initiative:
Crystal
Ransaq
Fate
Victor
Marcello
Sanza
Sarcon
Melaphi
Garroth
Patricie
Ransaq notices Sarcon reaching for his weapon and attempts to cut him off, stepping forward to cast a spell.