Sensing the same thing Isabel had, Sorina placed a beguiling smile on her face,
"Come now, Gavin. Surely the fee can be a reasonable sum?"
Doubt flashes through Eh-Acka's mind...30 golds WAS a lot of money...but then just 3 golds was a lot of money to a goblin, so it was all a lot of money to her regardless...
"Eh, well..." Gavin rubs the back of his neck. "...thing is, under better circumstances, I'd be happy to only ask for the ordinary going price."
"Thing is, well..." He looks at Isabel, his eyes apologetic. "...you mentioned a Slyeg stole your property, and Slyeg's one of my best customers. That's why I need the extra fee--he's petty enough to cost me good business if I go against him."
It's likely he moves much more valuable cargo in a day than what you intend to steal back.
Eh-Acka scratches her head.
"Really? We're just gettin' some basic booze back...that's a drop in Slyeg's scum bucket given the money he moves. He probably won't even notice it, let alone realize you had anything to do with it, let alone the fact that your only involvement was providing the getaway vehicle. I mean, how many of your wagons and carts get used that way every day in Riddleport, for much bigger heists?"
Gavin blinks in surprise. "What?"
Sorina listened to the goblin lass and then watched Gavin's expression and physical stance.
"I can understand you not wanting to incur Slyeg's ire. Still, if he were to hear you charged us a premium to take back our property from him, what would he do then? He'd think you were profiteering at his expense and that'll make him doubly mad, I'd expect? Oh, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes, then." The smile never left her face as she looked at the man trying to cheat them. Her voice remained sweet and light; yet she hoped he would figure out her meaning.
"Come, we can sort this out without such concerns. None but us shall know of this small transaction, Slyeg won't find fault with your judgement and you earn a little coin this day for the hire. What he doesn't hear about town won't come back to bite you. That's what's important."
Gavin's face blanches and his shoulders sag. "...oh..."
"...dammit." He groans, having been outfoxed. "Right... 15 gold for the wagon and mule rental. Just... just don't tell anyone I tried that, alright?"
"Fifteen gold for wagon and mule hire is acceptable. And, this transaction stays between us. Now, please ready what we need, for our business is urgent. Thank you, Gavin."
As Gavin readied the transport, Sorina said quietly to her two female companions, "That's five gold pieces each. If you don't have the coin, I'll cover your share and you can owe me."
Eh-Acka swings her belt pouch around and rummages around in it a moment before counting out 5 gold pieces on her fingers. Once she's sure she's counted correctly, she cheerfully hands them to Sorina.
Conner leans against a wall, watching all this. The ladies not letting themselves get fleeced was nice, especially since he felt Gavin owed him money. Or at least, a chance to get back money he saw as rightfully his. "Now that's worked out, may I ask just what the job is? Because it sounds like you're looking to take something from someone who might object. Violently. I don't charge extra for swordplay, but I do prefer to know before it starts if I might have to participate."
"Avery Slyeg stole the Gold Goblin's newly-arrived supply of liquor, and as we're the Gold Goblin's gals, we're going to get it back!"
"Huh. Alright, work is work. You ladies have a plan?"
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"We know where it is, and my companions here will provide the necessary distraction." Isabel says, carefully keeping details from Gavin. "What we really need is someone who can move barrels quickly and efficiently. Between us we have a number of skills but lifting heavy objects is not one of them. Hopefully no fighting required. Will that do, Mr..."
"Conner. And yeah, shouldn't be a problem."
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Eh-Acka scratches her head and adjusts her wig.
"What kinda name is "Conner?" Sounds like an eel!" she wonders aloud.
Once the cart has been paid for, it's a simple matter to ride it on its way to their destination.
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As the group arrives, a figure clad in brown leathers--and strange magenta highlights on his armor's cuffs--walks out of the building. He tilts his head at the group.
"Oi! Where're you going with that cart, eh?" He asks, folding his arms.
Opening the front of her cloak to give the man a better view of her décolletage, Sorina smiled and answered in a sweet voice, hoping to use her wiles and twist her words to their advantage, "My little green friend here needs to move her possessions and we'd thought we'd help with this cart. I bet a man as strong and hale as you would not need a little wagon. I'm certain of it", giving him a flirty look and smile.
Realizing she's the "little green friend" Sorina's talking about, Eh-Acka perks up.
"Yeh! I mean look at these arms! I can maybe get my sh!t off the ground, but walkin' with it's another thing entirely, 'specially if I can't see where I'm goin'!" she adds with a toothy grin.
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As far as Riddleport's criminals go, he's practically a saint; he's not inclined to inflict more harm than he needs to when partaking in criminal activities. He's otherwise a bit of a nervous sort.
"Oh?" The man's demeanour abruptly turns half-circle when Sorina turns on the charm. "I-I mean--" He clears his throat. "--of course."
"Right, it's--it's just that, well--" His cheeks start to flush and he glances back inside the house. "--we were, um, we were expecting a wagon to come by. Was beginning to think you weren't going to show up."
"Thanks, bucko!" Eh-Acka says, flicking him a gold piece. "Treat yourself to somethin' nice!"
She winks at him.
Conner spends this exchange doing his best to chase down an itch inside his boot rather than look at the man guarding the house. Sometimes the most convincing lie is not having to tell one at all.
Recognition comes a brief second after the man started speaking, "Edric Steelshield! I'm sorry I didn't recognise you sooner. Lavender Lily speaks highly of you. And, sorry we're late to arrive...a girl can take forever to get herself pretty..." once again flashing her "charms" at Edric. "But better late than never, eh?" giving him a flirty wink.
Edric's mouth opens and closes for a moment before nodding. "Y-yeah! Of course, just pull up here and we can have these barrels on their way before nightfall."
He swallows. "Hey, uh... what time do ya get off, eh?"
Without even thinking about it or taking his eyes off of Sorina, Edric snatches up Eh-Acka's flicked gold piece. Looks like his criminal instincts are still sharp.
Eh-Acka grins and makes finger-guns at Edric.
"Aaayyyyy!"
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Isabel stays out of the conversation, pulling a small notebook from her satchel along with a piece of charcoal wrapped in cloth.
"Yes, that should work." She mutters fussily, flipping back and forth a few pages.
"Please be as quick as possible sir." She adds, not really looking at Edric. "We need to make this delivery as quickly as possible. It's a busy day."
Conner keeps his face neutral, this could turn out to be the easiest job he's ever had! He might not even have to stab anybody!
He swallows. "Hey, uh... what time do ya get off, eh?"
She didn't want to tread on Lavender Lily's toes, yet the man seemed interested in a one-off dalliance and she wasn't one to turn away a patron. It's been days since I've had such fun. it couldn't hurt, could it? Yet, if we take back the liquor and he realises we've duped him, that won't go down well for me...
"I work till late every night, handsome. I'll drop by, here, sometime...and we can catch up properly," she gave Edric a flirty wink and smile; hoping to appease him for the time being.
"Now, let's get these barrels on the wagon so I have one less thing to think about. Thinking gives me wrinkles," giving a playful pout and soft chuckle.
Edric helps guide the wagon to the front of the building before leading Sorina and anyone else who'd like to go with her inside.
"Now, I reckon you'll be quite happy to know the spirits are in fine shape--not a leak, not a spot of mould and not a single drop taken from them." Edric starts with a grin before opening the door to the card game.
The guards inside look up for a moment before doing a double-take. "Edric? Who's this now?" One guard clad in orange-tinted leathers asks, pointing at Sorina.
Poor timing! she inwardly cursed at the unexpected attention of the other guard/s. And the plan was going so well to this point.
Sorina smiled playfully as if remembering a fine memory of her and Edric while at the same time attempting to put the new guard at ease with her (or in lust).
"We've a mutual friend at the Silken Veil. Small world, isn't it? Got a job to do for the boss and we're on a tight schedule. Don't wish to hold anyone up, even for all the fine distractions of the place..." Sorina gave the orange-tinted leather clad guard a seductive wink as she slowly stroked the silky olive skin of her arm with her perfectly manicured fingers, hoping to draw his attention to her beauty/charms.
Sorina's demeanour doesn't quite put the man at ease, at first... but when she turns on the charm, a blush rises to his cheeks. It's almost enough to distract one from the baffling fashion choice he made today.
"Uh... yeah! Of COURSE!" He nods, getting up from his seat and pointedly turning away from Sorina, towards the storage room. "Come on lads, we've got work to do! Come on, come on, come on!" He ushers the other guards to work in quite a hurry.
Eh-Acka, unfortunately, stands at just the right height that the thug's...um...reaction...is obvious. She makes a face and rolls her eyes before turning to the men.
"Arright, chop-chop!" she barks to them. "I wanna see that cart loaded an' ready or I'mma start bitin' shins!"
The threat of an angry goblin masticating their legs is sufficient to inspire the guards to work faster. Over the course of half an hour, the many booze barrels are carefully hauled out to the waiting wagon and stored away.
The guards even wave goodbye as the party turns the wagon and sets off through the windy streets of the City of Cyphers.
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The ride back to the Gold Goblin goes smoothly. As you ride up to the casino's doors, Larur Feldin emerges from within. He brushes his hands off on the lapels of his green waistcoat as he approaches. "Well, you work fast, don't ya?" He says with a grin.
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"Couldn't have the bar running dry could we?" Isabel replies with an arched eyebrow. "And maybe we find a new supplier next time? This one seems compromised..."
Unless Larur has any more problems for them to deal with Isabel continues her comprehensive review of the premises and the safety procedures that are in place. The weapons checks last night were good, but not foolproof and she wants to ensure that they do better tonight.
She does make time for lunch though, and goes to find a certain raven-haired spotter...
"Do you have time for some lunch, I know a wonderful street-food place a couple of streets away?"
"Yepyepyep!" Eh-Acka says proudly. "Sorina charmed the pants off them goons! Er...no, wait, wuzzat word you longshanks use when yer saying something to describe stuff, but it isn't actually happening?"
She scratches her head and adjusts her wig.
"Anyways, we better keep an eye out an' be careful...we ran into Big Boss Clegg Zincher at Saint Caspy's, and I think he was behind the booze theft...he may be tryin' to mess with the Gold Goblin's business!"
Even as the guard turned to hide his arousal, she caught a glimpse of it and she purred softly. "Such handsome and strong men to help us. I thank you, gentlemen," she demurred. She waved to Edric in main as they moved away from the warehouse.
Once returned to the Gold Goblin, with the grog safely in hand, Sorina smiled at Larur Feldin's words before adding to what Isabel and Eh-Acka had said, "Ah, Mister Larur, Alorea has left her position and we've a new man to fill her place. This is Conner," introducing the human male in their midst. Looking to the newcomer in their party, she added, "Connor, this is Mister Larur Feldin, floor manager of the Gold Goblin."
Once the bar was restocked and various duties completed, Sorina spoke up, "We'll have to return the rented wagon. Can one of the runners do it? I don't want to be seen outside with the wagon in tow again this day lest it draw unwanted attention."
She does make time for lunch though, and goes to find a certain raven-haired spotter...
"Do you have time for some lunch, I know a wonderful street-food place a couple of streets away?"
Sorina turned a bright smile to Isabel, lingering on and appreciating her many charms. "Aye, I'll gladly make time for you, my lovely. Let us share a meal."
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Sorina turned a bright smile to Isabel, lingering on and appreciating her many charms. "Aye, I'll gladly make time for you, my lovely. Let us share a meal."She does make time for lunch though, and goes to find a certain raven-haired spotter...
"Do you have time for some lunch, I know a wonderful street-food place a couple of streets away?"
"I much prefer that smile." Isabel says as the pair head out of the Gold Goblin. "It's more genuine. Less perfect, but more genuine." One of her hands tentatively brushes the back of Sorina's as they walk. It might be an accident, but it happens again less than a minute later...
"Do you like spicy food?" Isabel asks. "The place I had in mind is pretty hot, but I know a good seafood place too if you'd prefer that. Ladies' prerogative to choose what she'd like for lunch."
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Once they are both seated on a less-grimy-than-most bench with their food Isabel eats slowly, savouring her food and glancing at her companion between bites.
"So what do you think of the last couple of days?" She asks. "Saul Vancaskerskin, Clegg Zincher, we seem to be rubbing shoulders with a lot of significant people all of a sudden."
Conner helps get the wagon loaded, keeping a straight face as best he could. Was it really going to be this easy?
One wagon trip later, turns out...yeah, it was going to be that easy. He nods politely when introduced, but when all is said and done he shrugs. "Well ladies that went smoothly, I'd tip my hat if I wore one, now all that's left is for us to settle up."
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"You were quite the help Mr Connor." Isabel says with a polite smile. "If you were interested in further employment I am sure we could use you here at the Gold Goblin. I am looking for a new second in command to handle the security of the casino on the floor itself. For some reason I don't seem to intimidate an angry dockworker as much as might be desired..."
She glances towards Saul, wanting to at least seem to check with owner before taking a new person on payroll.
"I can promise steady work, good pay and, as long as we both do our jobs well, minimal danger." She concludes, offering Connor her hand. "Deal?"
Conner helps get the wagon loaded, keeping a straight face as best he could. Was it really going to be this easy?
One wagon trip later, turns out...yeah, it was going to be that easy. He nods politely when introduced, but when all is said and done he shrugs. "Well ladies that went smoothly, I'd tip my hat if I wore one, now all that's left is for us to settle up."
"You want a hat?" Eh-Acka asks. "Could probably find one somewhere...lots of sea captains an' sh!t down at the docks with their fancy hats, and that's where you'll find some of the best garbage piles, maybe someone threw one away!" she offers with a grin. "That's how I got my wig!"
She takes off the scraggly hairpiece to show it off before putting it back on.
Conner doesn't take long to consider it, it's not like he had any better offers and he certainly couldn't fault the company. He takes her hand "Deal." He looks down at the goblin. "I'd love a hat."
"I much prefer that smile." Isabel says as the pair head out of the Gold Goblin. "It's more genuine. Less perfect, but more genuine." One of her hands tentatively brushes the back of Sorina's as they walk. It might be an accident, but it happens again less than a minute later...
"The Savoured Sting teaches us many smiles. I'm happy to hear this one pleases you, my lovely," having been caught off guard with the lovely half-elf's sentiment regarding her recent smile. A soft, melodic laugh escaped her lips to cover her discomposure until she noted the brief and gentle brush of Isabel's fingers across her own. Sorina felt before she heard the ever-low growling-purr at the back of her own throat. You have charms, Isabel Rhelian. You'll keep me on my toes, she mused inwardly. This one won't let you play your usual games, Sorina Voal. She'll cut you to the quick.
"Do you like spicy food?" Isabel asks. "The place I had in mind is pretty hot, but I know a good seafood place too if you'd prefer that. Ladies' prerogative to choose what she'd like for lunch."
As the conversation turned swiftly to food, Sorina pushed her various thoughts aside for the moment, to concentrate on answering.
"I do enjoy spicy fare. Lead the way, lovely. I'm happy to follow, this time."
Once they are both seated on a less-grimy-than-most bench with their food Isabel eats slowly, savouring her food and glancing at her companion between bites.
"So what do you think of the last couple of days?" She asks. "Saul Vancaskerskin, Clegg Zincher, we seem to be rubbing shoulders with a lot of significant people all of a sudden."
Was Isabel attempting to learn something of her motives or was she reading too much into the question/statement? The Revered One doesn't appreciate loose lips.
In a voice that sought discretion, Sorina replied quietly, "There's certainly been action and little boredom. It seems reasonable since the players in this port are connected in twisted ways. I wonder how Zincher will retaliate upon learning we took back our stock. I wasn't in disguise and one of the guards recognised me from the Veil. Least from the casino lookout, I'm not on immediate display. Alas, the goblin with the concertina would have drawn attention without me plying my charms," giving a soft laugh at the exuberant Eh-Acka's antics and musicality. "We'll have to make ready for such a day. What do you think of the new man, Conner?"
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"I think he's exactly what he seems." Isabel replies, before swiping her finger through a thin trickle of sauce that escapes Sorina's food. "A man with more scruples than coins. I wouldn't wager on many of either but his first reaction was to do the job we paid him for and not try to take advantage of two women and a goblin. Rare enough in this town. I think we can trust him, and it would do no harm to have him around if Zincher does come looking for us again. Although I think Saul was the target, we're just the help really."
Conner doesn't take long to consider it, it's not like he had any better offers and he certainly couldn't fault the company. He takes her hand "Deal." He looks down at the goblin. "I'd love a hat."
Eh-Acka pumps his hand up and down.
"Arright, I'll do some diggin'! See you on the floor tonight!"
With that, she scampers out the door and out into the city...
Sorina smiled at Isabel's attention to the escaped sauce, murmuring a "Thank you" to the half-elf then following up with a *wink*.
In regard to the Saul matter, Sorina replied, "Aye, but we were the ones to trick his guards with charms and alike. I bet the guards copped an earful!"
Thinking on Isabel's thoughts on the new man, Conner, she merely added, "He's willing to work, so he's no slacker. And, you're right, he looks like he can handle himself in a fight. As to trust, that may take me more than a day..." her words faded into soft laughter, as she took another bite of the food.
Conner heads to the bar for a drink and some time to evaluate his situation. The company was good enough, working in a bar was never bad, and he might not even have to stab anyone for a while. Things were looking up.
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Thinking on Isabel's thoughts on the new man, Conner, she merely added, "He's willing to work, so he's no slacker. And, you're right, he looks like he can handle himself in a fight. As to trust, that may take me more than a day..." her words faded into soft laughter, as she took another bite of the food.
"Well trust has to be earned, and they say that good things come to those who wait..." Isabel replies, before leaning in towards Sorina. "You've missed a bit, just..." Her hand cups Sorina's cheek and her thumb brushes the corner of her lips a couple of times before retreating.
"There." Isabel says softly, her breath playing gently over Sorina's own lips. "Beautiful."