The rising sun burns away the early morning sea fog whose tendrils wind through the alleys of Westcrown. The celebration of the vernal equinox the day before may mean that spring has come to Cheliax, but the bite of cold in the brine-laden air blowing in from the ocean hints of the past winter. But in all things it is just another day. The early signs of spring, flowers fighting there way up from cracks in the stones, do not raise the spirits of Westcrown's people. The dark of the night shadows the day and the promise of glory was lost long ago. If there are changes in the days ahead, no signs will herald them.
She moves with a assurance born of hard-won skill and tempered by time completely at odds with the hint of nervousness in her eyes when she gets to your table. She inclines her head in greeting, but her eyes don't drop, too aware of the potential dangers around her. "Greetings, Cassian. I'm Janiven and," a small smile that puckers the light, old scar on her right cheek, "we have a job you may be interested in."
"If you are interested."
Melilot puts down her tools.
i am sorry if i do not live up to your expectations janiven she says. Her normal speaking voice barely rises above a whisper, making her tone of her statement somewhat difficult to determine.
i am however quite likely to be interested
i am however quite likely to be interested
The pale, dark-haired woman smiles, the action bringing light to her eyes, "Good. I'm getting together a group people for an early dinner meeting to see if we can work together."
"If you do find yourself interested, we'll be meeting at Vizio's Tavern in Rego Crua at four this afternoon." She pauses, [b]"I hope you will come."[b]
There is a knock on the door, should one of you open the door you find a dark-haired, emerald-eyed woman standing there. With a smile she nods, "Hello, my name is Janiven. May I come in?"
Azhar glances past her, raises an eyebrow questioningly, "I don't think we were expecting anyone." but he does take a step allowing the woman access and closes the door behind her. He glances at Rev for confirmation, "& why do we have the pleasure of a beautiful (young?) woman's company this questionably fine morning?" he asks. His words are inquisitive. His tone, less so.
Azhar's expression is slightly sardonic, teasing, but with just a touch of caring not quite hidden away. "The only whores I've ever hired have been for you, dear brother." He eyes Janiven appraisingly, "...and whearas, I'm sure milady could definitely, partake in said profession if she should so choose. I would assume she is here for some other reason." his eyes focus on hers, "and out of curiosity, just what might that be?"
Her chin lifts, a shade of earned, proud defiance in the gesture, "I thought it might be a challenge for you."
She starts to nod to Azhar as she enters when Rev's comment catches her attention, pulling one eyebrow up. Her tone, probably more wry than she would have intended previously, "Sorry to be so forward, but I heard that you were visiting our fair town and a few friends thought, if you might plan on staying awhile, that you would be interested in meeting a like-minded group." She pauses, as her emerald green eyes evaluating slightly as she looks over the brothers.
A quick estimate of her age would put her a few years older than Rev. Black hair and green eyes with a old, light scar on her right cheek. Her movements slightly weighted by a dark patina-ed chainmail shirt.
She starts to nod to Azhar as she enters when Rev's comment catches her attention, pulling one eyebrow up. Her tone, probably more wry than she would have intended previously, "Sorry to be so forward, but I heard that you were visiting our fair town and a few friends thought, if you might plan on staying awhile, that you would be interested in meeting a like-minded group." She pauses, as her emerald green eyes evaluating slightly as she looks over the brothers.
Azhar smiles, his eyes taking in her bearing and gear. "Forgive my brother, Janiven. I'm sure he did not mean any affront, and you obviously believe you can handle yourself well enough coming alone to visit two men with whom you are not familiar." He leans back against the wall, continuing with his appraising look, though now perhaps for a different reason. "So, ...and just what might 'like-minded' be in this case, hmmm? Care for a seat, by the way?" Azhar motions off-handedly towards a seat (or the bed if there isn't one).
Azhar smiles at his brother, "You're likely right, brother, but perhaps we have the time to at least hear her out first?" his head turns again to meet the emerald green of their visitor.
He reaches up, scratching Rygel behind an ear. Adopting a more philosophical tone, he continues. "Now, if you think that batting a pair of green eyes is enough to get me to follow you... well, there you're right. But if you want me to take you seriously, I'm going to need a few details. Who. What. Where. And how much?"
With the last, he breaks into a devilish grin. "And if that last one is high enough, those other three don't make no never mind."
Her body language tries for casual and fails, "Truth is, most of the people I know expect that you will want to move on quickly, but I thought that you might want Westcrown to be the place that you change." Her gaze moves to the small window, seeing something in the dingy city outside that isn't there to normal sight. "I know she doesn't seem worth, but she is worth saving." She looks at the brothers, "I was given the impression that this would be a challenge that would interest you both..."
Janiven leans against the wall near the door, seemingly no more at ease in the presence of the two not quite human brothers than Rev is in hers. "I know you haven't been in Westcrown long but..." she shrugs, "you are both a wee bit unusual and draw attention. Not much so far, but enough that people thought to ask, find out who you are."
Her body language tries for casual and fails, "Truth is, most of the people I know expect that you will want to move on quickly, but I thought that you might want Westcrown to be the place that you change." Her gaze moves to the small window, seeing something in the dingy city outside that isn't there to normal sight. "I know she doesn't seem worth, but she is worth saving." She looks at the brothers, "I was given the impression that this would be a challenge that would interest you both..."
Azhar seems mildly amused, unlike the other two in the room, he feels totally at ease in the presence of this stranger, almost as if they had met before, which of course was a total impossibility. "Change Westcrown? In what way?"
He begins to walk away, trusting her to pay the tab.
"I think we should go." Azhar says simply. He offers no explanation.
Vizio's Tavern is one of three buildings in a small block right along the river facing Westcrown Island. At three in the afternoon, there is a still a bit of river traffic and the gulls seem to be loud this particular afternoon. A quick recon reveals that Janiven is already inside the tavern. She has removed the dark patina-ed chain shirt that she was wearing earlier and seems to be doing repairs to the tavern. On the table, next to the discarded chain shirt is a sheathed longsword and hanging from a chair is a quiver and longbow.
She's a Cheliaxian woman of average height (5'6") with a trim, athletic build and black hair cut into a utilitarian jaw length bob. She moves with a sure grace, especially now that she is out of the restricting armor.
She does seem to spot Cassian on one of the closer passes to the tavern, but quickly averts her gaze, aware but obviously willing to let you come in on your own terms.
Azhar blinks once, his lips not quite reaching a smile. His eyes seem to return her look however.
A wave which the woman buys completely and she motions to the room, empty of other people, with silent invitation.
Gravlax will arrive as close to precisely on time as he can manage.
The pale, dark-haired woman smiles, the action bringing light to her eyes, "Good. I'm getting together a group people for an early dinner meeting to see if we can work together."
"If you do find yourself interested, we'll be meeting at Vizio's Tavern in Rego Crua at four this afternoon." She pauses, "I hope you will come."
Melilot nods, and apparently considers that a sufficient response.
Melilot arrives only a few minutes early, staying alert and moving in the shadows mostly just in case anyone in a position of unpleasant authority has gotten wind of what is likely to be a meeting to discuss matters of a quasi or completely illicit nature.
Perception
Stealth
A pause and then she turns to Rev, "I hope that you will be there too. I think you are needed, but the only reason I can give you at the moment is that your brother is going." And she reaches for the door, willing to let you make your own decision.
She grins slightly, "Did you know the old man who runs the poker tables at the Bruised Eel is trying to get you blacklisted?"
Cassian nods at the offer of drink. "Any man who thinks a title is protection has clearly never put it between himself and a blade."
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The small block of three buildings lean against each other on the bank of Westchannel the bright afternoon sun sending long shadows. The select few find the door of the tavern wedged open in invitation. Janiven, chatting occasionally with a dark haired man sitting towards the back of the taproom, seems to be doing simple repairs to the old building.
As you enter, she nods in greeting and offers a mug of ale.
She agrees with the second sentiment with a nod, "They tend to also be the type that thinks that gold is as good a protection as steel." She shrugs, "And it often is for those that have enough."
The small block of three buildings lean against each other on the bank of Westchannel the bright afternoon sun sending long shadows. The select few find the door of the tavern wedged open in invitation. Janiven, chatting occasionally with a dark haired man sitting towards the back of the taproom, seems to be doing simple repairs to the old building.
As you enter, she nods in greeting and offers a mug of ale.
The blonde Halfling who slips quietly through the door must be a number of inches shy of three feet tall. Slender and waif-like, she looks like a strong breeze would probably blow her over. Her eyes are a dark shade of blue-green.
She accepts the mug from Janiven, nodding back.
The dark-haired man has a rapier on his hip, a monkey on his shoulder, and a laugh in his eyes. As the halfling accepts her ale: "And then there were three."
The dark-haired man has a rapier on his hip, a monkey on his shoulder, and a laugh in his eyes. As the halfling accepts her ale: "And then there were three."
are we not counting janiven then the Halfling asks curiously. What appears to be her normal speaking voice is scarcely louder than a whisper.
Rev watches the girl leave. Annoyance easily read in his features. He turns that gaze upon his brother. "This is a terrible idea."[b] Of course he will follow his brother, but he doesn't have to like it.
Azhar smiles, [b]"Of course it is, but we won't find out what's going on without showing up." his grin widens, he does not say it, but his brother can read his thoughts plainly enough & maybe with a little luck, we'll get to see some action. It's fairly obvious he's become a trifle bored his right hand pushes back his hair, touches just briefly the pommel of his jovar while he stares off into the distance.
are we not counting janiven then the Halfling asks curiously. What appears to be her normal speaking voice is scarcely louder than a whisper.
"I'm not even certain we're counting me."
are we not counting janiven then the Halfling asks curiously. What appears to be her normal speaking voice is scarcely louder than a whisper."I'm not even certain we're counting me."
Janiven puts a small bowl of nuts on Cassian's table with a friendly if sardonic grin, "I think it makes far more sense to not count me, rather than you." She shrugs, tossing a lightly shelled treat towards the monkey, obviously curious if the monkey would accept. "After all, I'm just providing the food."
"As long as I get to tell you that I told you so when it all ends in tears and sorrow.
"Done." ... ... ... "We've got what, 6 hours or so until the meeting. Feel like looking around the surrounding area or do you want to go in raw?"
Shorty after 4pm Azhar (& presumably Rev) enter the tavern. He takes the ale (if offered) and looks around at those inside. Cassian receives an appraising and slightly guarded nod, Janiven and Melilot slightly less cautious smiles (if Melilot is carrying her equipment his smile broadens, not disrespectfully)
Sense Motive:
Rev walks in just behind Azhar. He is a few inches shorter than the younger man in front of him, his skin, what little of it is visible, is dusky, his hair black, spiky, and unruly, something in the stubborn set of his jaw offers a slight resemblance to Azhar. He trains his shiny golden eyes upon the assembled group and frowns.
His clothes are dark, a mish mash of grey and purple that blends well into the night. His only adornment a silver necklace with a pendant shaped like a spiral. He is thin, almost wirey, as if all the softness has been extracted and this is all that's left.
He takes a seat next to Azhar on Azhar's left side.
Azhar is well built and tanned and sports shoulder length wavy brown hair. His eyes are a sparkling, almost iridescent blue. He carries himself with a quiet self assurance, but for some reason there is an air of not being at full energy. He does seem to at least try to be pleasant, however.
He is wearing chainmail, travel stained clothes and well worn gear. A large sword is slung across his back, the scabbard of which lies next to a quiver of arrows and an unstrung bow. A hunting knife is sheathed at the belt at his waist. What can be seen of the weapons, show much use, but appear to be clean and cared for.
Shorty after 4pm Azhar (& presumably Rev) enter the tavern. He takes the ale (if offered) and looks around at those inside. Cassian receives an appraising and slightly guarded nod, Janiven and Melilot slightly less cautious smiles (if Melilot is carrying her equipment his smile broadens, not disrespectfully)
Melilot is not unarmed, but she is also not kitted out with weapons to an extent that would look at all unusual were she walking down a city street. What weapons are visible look shiny and new, and have probably seen little to no use.
She nods cordially to the newcomers.