A (Not So) Warm Welcome to Sunberth [Open]

[Aeryna Seaworth]

5th of spring, 512 AV Checking that her cabin door was firmly shut and only the bare essentials for a trek into the city were in her pack, and that the pouch she kept her Mizas in was securely shut, Aeryna nimbly leaped from her ship to the dock. Straightening up, she reached over to pluck Muir from the floor of Seirsha, her Casinor ship, and let him drape his long, sleek body around her shoulders. The sea otter was heavy, no doubt, and his length made it awkward, but arriving in a strange city with a dangerous reputation, Aery was more comfortable with him close to her. She could carry him like that for about an hour or so before his weight became too much for her to bear. Whistling and chattering in her ear, Muir reached a paw out to bat playfully at her hair, which was loose, several braids of coloured twine mixed into the tangled locks, most ending in bright beads and feathers she'd picked up. Scowling, Aeryna shook her head until the hair he'd caught in his paw came free. "Not now, Muir," She said to the otter. She was receiving some curious looks, and she openly returned the glances and gazes, her deep, sea blue eyes glinting. Examining the individuals of the Gangplank, she grimaced slightly. She would have to be careful if she wanted to come back and find her ship still there. Pushing her sable hair out of her face, though it was darker than usual from the spray of seawater, she focused on an older man walking up to her. "Can I help ye, mizz?" He asked, gruffly, eyeing her in a way that made Aeryn uneasy. She wasn't sure whether he thought he could make a few coins off her in some way, or if he was just being loose with his eyes. Likely, it was both. She could feel Muir's claws scrabbling over her bare shoulders as he switched position to look at the man, chattering and growling in such a way that Aeryna could tell her Tavan disliked the man. Almost without realizing it, the girl reached across her body to rest her hand on the hilt of her cutlass, and the man looked wary. "Actually, yes," She said after a moment, her vivid eyes moving from the man to the ship. She knew there were little to none that you could trust in the city of Sunberth, as lawless and violent as it was, but she hoped if she payed enough she could win the man over. Though of course, she also didn't want to waste Mizas. But without her Casinor, she was stranded. "I take it that it's common for ships to...go missing," She said, dryly, looking at the man. He bared his yellow, crooked teeth in a grin and bellowed a laugh. "Oh, yer right 'boot that, mizz, that ye are," He agreed heartily, though his dark, beady eyes never left Aeryna's hand, which still rested on her cutlass' hilt. "Mighty fine sword ye got there," He said, warily. "It was my father's," She said absently, drumming her fingers on the elaborate hilt. "Tell you what," She said, focusing on the man in front of her. "This ship here's rather important to me." She was careful of what she said, not wanting to make it seem like she would be stranded without Seirsha, though she would be. If she came across as so vulnerable, it would be easy for the man to take her gold, and her ship. She knew she was testing her luck, but she didn't have many other options. She had to make her offer seem valuable, both before and after. "I'd be awfully grateful if you could make sure she was still here when I come back later this evening," She continued after a moment. The man grunted, looking at the small Casinor, clearly debating about it's worth. "She's not much, as you can see," Aeryn said smoothly, "But I love her dearly. You know how it is with a ship, I assume," She laughed, flashing a smile at the man. He grunted once again, but nodded, "Aye," He agreed, looking at her. "Well, if ye want me teh watch 'er, ye'll have teh pay, I hope ye know." His eyes lit up at the prospect of gold, as he looked at her eagerly. Deciding not to name the first price, seeing as she didn't know the standards and didn't want to end up robbing herself blind, she raised a brow. "Name your price," She said, simply, and practically choked when he spoke quickly. "Twenty gold Mizas," He stated, firmly. "Twenty? My, that's an awful lot to just sit here and make sure nobody touches a little Casinor like this, don't you think?" She cocked a brow, and said, coaxingly, "I'll give you eight." "Ye crazy, girl? I'd never do nothin' for a measly price like 'at!" He exclaimed, jerking a hand to his chest as if such a low price actually physically hurt his heart. "I'll go no lower 'an fifteen gold Mizas, I tell ye." "That's robbery!" Claimed Aeryna, "Would you rob a young girl of all her gold and have her starve?" She shook her head, "Come now, you must get quite a few people asking you to do this for them. Ten gold Mizas, and that's my final offer, or I'll find someone else to do it." Ten gold Mizas for such a task was rather outrageous to the young pirate, but she knew he wouldn't go lower. Realizing she meant what she said, the man heaved a heavy sigh. "Aye. Ten gold Mizas 'tis, then. Teh watch yer ship an' make sure she's safe'n'sound when mi'lady returns." His voice held a mocking tone as he held out a grubby hand to shake on the deal, ignoring the faint scowl on Aery's face. Reaching over, Aeryna slipped her hand into his and shook firmly. He then flipped his palm up, clearly expecting his payment then and there. Swinging her backpack, which was lighter than usual due to the limited amount of supplies she was carrying into Sunberth, halfway off her shoulder, Aery reached into the pouch where she kept her Mizas, and counted out ten golden coins, but handed over only five. The man stared at her with a blank expression. "Oi, now, we agreed on ten," He said, frowning. "We agreed on ten, and that's what you'll get," Aery said evenly. "Half now, half when I return this evening. Can you blame me for making sure you keep our bargain?" The man scowled, but began to laugh. "Smart girl, ye are," He commented, looking at her ship. "Yer ship'll be here when ye come back," He finally said, looking back at her. "Glad to hear it. Was a pleasure doing business with you," She flashed him a smirk, and strolled off down the Gangplank dock, her chin held high. She was excited to really get into the lawless city and explore. As she walked, she passed a somewhat ramshackle tavern with a sign saying 'The Drunken Fish'. Marking it's location mentally for later, Aeryna strode deeper into the city, Muir quiet for once, his small ears pressed to his skull. She wandered the streets aimlessly, looking at the people curiously as she did so, staying out of trouble for the moment. Of course, with Aeryna, staying out of trouble could only last for so long. As she turned down a rather shady alley that cut across the city, Muir began to hiss, craning his head back. "Hm? Muir, calm. What is it?" She turned around, and caught a glimpse of a dark figure. "Who's there?" She called, her voice not at all fearful, as she rested her hand on the hilt of her cutlass. "All alone?" The taunting voice came back, the man coming closer, a dagger flashing in the dim light of the alley. "No, actually," She said, off-handedly, "I've my otter right here. Are you?" As she spoke, she drew her cutlass, holding it and tensing her long, toned legs, watching the man approach warily. "Oh, come on now sweetheart," He laughed, "Don't try to fight me, you'll only hurt yourself. Just gimme your money, and you'll be let alone." She could feel Muir lithely clamber down her body, his claws pricking her skin, and watching the dark, sleek shape of him skirt through the shadows. The man glanced away for a moment, looking for the otter, just as his small fangs pierced his calf. Grunting in pain, the man slashed aimlessly with his dagger. She could have pushed the attack then and slashed at him with her cutlass, but she didn't want to risk him belonging to some large, well known faction of thieves that would go after her for killing one of their members. Turning, Aeryna bolted, still clutching her cutlass as she ran down the alley, her footsteps echoing. She could hear the steps of the man not too far behind her, and realized Muir couldn't have injured him too badly. The sea otter was nowhere to be seen, but Aery had no worries for him. He could take care of himself, and would find her afterwards. Bursting from the alley, she didn't receive many glances, as scuffles throughout the city were common. Her eyes darted around as she looked for any sort of escape, and realized there was none. She'd have to face the man.

[Arcan_Windrunner]

Still cursing his luck at the storm that had forced him to land in this wreckage of a city, Arcan walked along the street looking for a place to stay or somewhere to get a drink, Water of course. As he passed a alley he saw two people coming out one dressed in all black and one dressed much like him in a white linen shirt and baggy tan breeches. Although he hated crime like this he did not yet interfere because he did not know who was actually the criminal and who the victim. After all the woman could be running because the man tried to rob her, or she could be running because she had taken his coin purse. So for now he simply stood off to the side and watched seeing what would happen next.

[Wrenmae]

Cool air, the smell of sea brine and salt. It stung the eyes, brought life to wicked limbs and fed the sea into every breath taken. The docks...or what remained of them, was the single most disappointing eyesore. Nothing but ruin, smashed boats and sunken gangplanks, the boards laid down by the fathers of fathers crushed like twigs beneath the onslaught of the memorable behemoth. A few ships skirted the edges, caught in tides and waves, still trying to make berth in a place so inhospitable. A casinor bobbed beyond the ruined docks, an oversized dockyard worker keeping his eye on it. The woman who came from it, Svefra no doubt, seemed content to let the slobbering creature watch...fool that she was. A Casinor was worth far more intact than any monetary sum she could shell out. With the docks and most ships decimated, captains were clamoring at boats...honestly built or dishonestly taken. Carrion crows, the lot of them. He followed the woman, more a curiosity than anything, Shroud in mind if not in body at this point. She was accosted in an alley, used some sort of sea creature to distract her attacker and had run. Shroud picked up pursuit, knew the city better, got in front of her. As she burst from the alley and ducked into another, unaided by the populace, she'd find herself at the end of another blade, a long dagger drawn and menacing her, held in Shroud's hand. He smiled at her, waving the tip in the air. "Welcome to Sunberth, sea-child, and you'll have your adventure...oh mark my words, you will. Tell you what...prove you have what it takes to be the stronger, and I'll teach you a little something about the city." The cry of the pursuing thief echoed in the alley, he approached, blade drawn...eyeing Wrenmae suspiciously. The murderer held up a hand in a short wave, following it with an incline of his head. "Prey away my fine fellow, prey away." He glanced at the girl, and then back to him, slyly, "I think she's finished being hunted...let us see if she has claws as well as quick feet."

[Aeryna Seaworth]

The young Svefra's eyes flickered around, and she bit her lower lip before slipping through the crowd. Thinking quickly, she darted down another alleyway, only to pull up short at the blade pointed at her. Her dark, vivid teal eyes flickered up to the young man who held the dagger towards her, and she was surprised to see he didn't appear much older than she was. Taking in his lanky form and the way he watched her, she returned his gaze warily, her hands tightening on the hilt of her cutlass. Aery didn't respond to his words, clearly a taunt, instead remaining silent. She didn't know how well he would take sarcasm or wit, and she'd prefer to stay on the safe side and remain alive than to mouth off with some sarcastic remark and have his dagger ending up in her neck. She heard a shout, and the pounding footsteps of the thief racing after her, but she didn't dare turn to look at him. No matter how quick she was or how good with a sword, she knew there was no chance of her escaping the alley with a man in front of her and one at her back, both with blades. She watched, silently, as the man in front of her spoke to the thief, a coy, catty look in his eyes as he spoke. His words made her wary, and she finally risked speaking. "Begging your pardon, sir," She said, her tone tactful, and so polite that it couldn't be certain if she was mocking the young man or not, though the gleam in her eyes and the subtle angling of her chin suggested she was. "But it's hardly fair for a helpless young woman such as myself to be cornered by two men." She gave a wry smile. She hadn't heard the retreating steps of the thief, and had hoped he would have given up on his young victim when the other man stepped in. She couldn't see his face either, but she had a feeling he was just as wary of the man as she was. "Perhaps you could ask your charming friend to leave?" She didn't know about the man standing in front of her, but she had a better feeling about him than the one behind her, and she'd rather take her chances with him. A breeze stirred the air, even in the small, closed off alley, smelling of salt and pushing the tousled waves of Aeryna's hair into her face. Impatiently, she gave a small toss of her head, not wanting to move her hands. It would be just her luck to alarm the man and have him stick her through with the wicked looking dagger he held, still pointed at her. She didn't like how careless he was with it, flicking it when he'd spoken, gesturing with it as if it wasn't mere inches from her neck. Thoughts were running through her head as she waited, patiently, for a response from either men. She played out several possibilities, different scenarios, who might say or do what, and prepared herself for all of them. She may end up having to try and fight her way out, or she may have to charm, coax and persuade. Either way, she was going to have to be very careful of her actions and words if she wanted to get away with her life and her coins. Without her money, she wouldn't be able to get on for long. Absently, she wondered what would happen to Muir if she was killed, and mused that the man she'd paid would probably take her Casinor. He might do that either way, that had been a gamble. Somewhat amused at her lack of panic at the current situation, though not surprised by herself, she tilted her head to the side, her oceanic eyes never leaving those of the young man before her.

[Arcan_Windrunner]

Seeing the second man dart out in front of the running woman, Arcan then knew that she was, infact, the victim not the criminal. So as they talked about something he slowly slid his spear off his back its tips making scraping sounds as they passed the hardened leather, and pulled his crossbow from off his him.

Arcan walked up behind the man with the dagger first poking his back with one of the tips of his spears and aiming the crossbow over his shoulder at the second man. Now that he had their attention he said,

"Now now, thats no way to treat a lady is it?" when neither of the men voiced a response he continued, "Now I would appreciate it if both of you would lower your weapons to the ground and put your hands behind your head."

[Wrenmae]

"A hapless woman doesn't walk around with a weapon on her waist," Shroud pointed out, raising an eyebrow, "Not unless she wants to give the impression that she isn't to be trifled with." Their palaver in the alley, however confusing, seemed to attract another guest. The man walked toward the trio, preparing his weaponry and sliding all the bits and pieces into proper location. Shroud watched, almost amused, but still maintained most of his attention on the woman. "Now, this may be your first time in the ruined city, but we live by a code of strength here." The stranger leveled his spear, prepared the crossbow quarrel. Couldn't leave well enough alone, a real gallivanting hero, that one...he'd be consumed by the city. "You fight for your survival, or you cease surviving. Forcing you into conflict now may dirty your pretty blade, but it proves you are who you are...and that you won't be taken advantage of...or..." The hero spoke, leveling his crossbow at Wrenmae from the mouth of the alley, girl between them. "Or saved by a fool." Holding his hands up, Shroud spun the dagger in his hand. "Ah yes, the hero bit. I suppose we let her go free into your arms or we face your wrath, one man against two...or you two vs us. Let me be the first to tell you that the man and I share no allies, nor do I even know him. My interest was only in watching the woman defend herself...a simple measure of ability and determination, no more." Djed coursed along his tongue and eyes, and he pierced the aura around the hero. Hypnotism was an art of subtlety normally, but this fellow had ruined his experiment, nothing short of preposterous. For him, Shroud had prepared a special hallucination. "You may consider, however," he continued, pointing toward Arcan with a frown, "That it's very difficult to use a crossbow while it's on fire." To Arcan, without the proper mental training to resist it, his crossbow would appear quite suddenly erupting in angry flames, burning zephyrs of pyre eating at his hand. Shroud wasn't after much. The alley was dark and the distance between him, his opponent, and the girl was shaded and staggered enough that a successful bolt would be...a difficult shot. His eyes were on her again, and the thief with the spear against his back. The thief had made the mistake of being too hungry...had not kept his eyes on his back. In Shroud's opinion, the fellow merited death already. "You could have taken him, I think," Shroud sighed, stepping back down the alley "My advice is that you both leave the city. Running will only take you so far and heroism is a fool's errand."

[Aeryna Seaworth]

Aeryna couldn't help a laugh, and shrugged her slender shoulders, though her body was subtly tensed, lean muscles straining beneath her supple, tanned skin, ready to run once more, or to fight. "I suppose you caught me in my lie, then," She said a mocking tone held just beneath the surface of her voice. She noticed his eyes flicker over her shoulder for a brief moment, and watched as a flicker of what seemed to be amusement crossed his face. However, his piercing gaze returned to her just as quickly, intent on her face, and she seemed to have his full attention as he spoke. Aery cocked a brow, "I'm more than ready to fight for my survival," She informed Wrenmae, and a smirk danced across her lips. "As for my blade, it's kind of you to be concerned, but I've dirtied it enough times before." A wicked gleam shone in the depths of her eyes. Suddenly, another voice spoke up from behind her, startling Aeryna. She risked turning her head briefly, and caught a glimpse of a man with deeply tanned skin holding a crossbow. 'Oh joy, a savior,' She thought dryly. She was still as Wrenmae spoke to the newest addition to the little party, listening intently to his words. So now she was an experiment? However, something Wrenmae said caught her attention, and she craned her head around once more, confused. On fire? The man's crossbow seemed fine, and yet his blue eyes were widening as he stared at the weapon in his hands. It suddenly hit the young woman. She looked back at Wrenmae as the pieces clicked into place-he could use Djed. She watched him step back, and her chin angled up at his words, stubbornly. "I don't plan on leaving Sunberth anytime soon," She told him, "And if I do, it won't be because of a scrape with a thief." She was somewhat upset with herself for running in the first place. It wasn't often she so openly backed away from a challenge, but in a shadowy alley of a new city against a man she knew absolutely nothing of, she hadn't wanted to take any chances. She noticed Wrenmae take another step back, and called out quickly. "Wait. Don't go," She watched him, her dark blue eyes bright with interest. She hesitated, then said, "What's your name?" The man was intriguing, to be sure, and the fact that he could use Djed only further piqued Aery's curiosity. She had to admit, she was interested in getting to know him better, though she was doubtful that he wanted much to do with her. However, she thought it at least worth a try.

[Arcan_Windrunner]

Dropping his crossbow in shock, Arcan still managed to keep the tip of his spear on the back of the theif's neck. As soon as the strange man was out of sight Arcans crossbow went out and seemed to be undamaged, although he cursed when he saw a long thin crack had gone through the handle after the impact with the ground. Looking over at the Woman he had just saved seeing her properly for the first time. He was amazed to see her dark blue eyes and deeply tanned face, she was a Svefra also!

"Well, erm, Hello," he said somewhat awkwardly, both because of what the man just said and because he hadn't seen a fellow Svefra in at least a year. With no response with coming quickly he continued, "so, um, what should we do with this guy?" poking the spear a little farther into his neck as he said so.

[Wrenmae]

Shroud was gone, backing down the alley out of sight the moment the crossbow dropped. His feet smacked against the ground, a quiet reminder of his once presence in the shadows of the alleyway. The other three were left in their strange diagram of staggered order. Arcan threatened the thief, the thief could no longer threaten Aernya, and the crowds of Sunberth milled by without a second look. Mugging, raping, and physical violence were a pastime in the city, and without probable cause to interfere, there was no need to break up the group. Shroud, however, had other plans. He circled around the other side of the building, taking care to note the overhangs of trash and darker shadows, wary of the hands and blades that could reach for him through its guise. Twisting around the side of the building, he melded with the crowd for a brief moment before pausing behind Arcan. The man was still intent on keeping the thief in his sight, against his blade. So it wasn't hard for Shroud to use the motion of the crowd to level his own dagger at Arcan, tickling the back of his neck. He winked at the Svefra woman, pressing the long dagger in closer, almost breaking skin. "I think we should let your prisoner fight the lady," Shroud insisted, quietly, taking care to glance back at the streets. How foolish would it be to fall prey to an ambush twice? "You both came to Sunberth of your own accord, now let's see if the lady deserves to be here...sans interruptions."

[Aeryna Seaworth]

Aeryna watched as Wrenmae disappeared without a word down the alley, and frowned. Turning back to the others, she tilted her head to the side as the Svefran man that had showed up spoke to her awkwardly. "Hi," She said wryly, looking at the thief when the Svefran poked him with his spear, asking what they should do with him. She tilted her head to the side for a moment, thinking, but before she could speak, she caught movement behind the man who had attempted to save her. Wrenmae appeared behind the Svefran, and cast her a wink as he pressed his dagger painfully to the back of the other man's neck, though not hard enough to break his skin. At least, not yet. Aery cocked a brow, a small frown curving her lips. There was something about Wrenmae she thought she might like, but she most definitely didn't like him threatening a fellow Svefra. "Fine," Aeryna said out loud, with a small smirk as she watched Wrenmae with narrowed blue eyes. "Sounds...interesting." She looked at the thief, who was eyeing her warily. If she was to be perfectly honest, she really would rather not fight the man. He was two or so inches taller than her, and wiry muscled. Something about him made her antsy, but she was leery to back down from such an open challenge. Watching the crowd pass by outside the mouth of the alley, she mused that, even in Sunberth, they must make a bit of an odd picture. A small smile curved her lips, though her dark gleaming blue eyes were serious. Absently, she sheathed her cutlass, and then proceeded to tie her tousled hair into a messy bun atop her head, flexing her fingers. If she played her cards right, she knew she could win the fight, but no doubt she would get away with at least a scratch or two. Her eyes flickered to the Svefran man, and she watched him curiously, wondering what he was thinking. Biting her lower lip, she absently smoothed her palms over the thighs of her skin-tight tan breeches. She looked away from the Svefran, to eye the thief, surveying him and analyzing his structure, looking for any obvious weaknesses, or anything she could use to her advantage.