[Exploring by night] (open)

[Jecon]

Jecon walked along the streets after dusk, exploring the city of Syliras after most people had gone to bed. He rounded a corner and saw a shadow duck into an alley, he followed as stealthily as possible. After a few minutes the shadow disappeared into a house and Jecon decided not to follow. He walked to the nearest street and walked along its edge, looking for nothing in particular, but looking nonetheless. Soon he came across a couple beggars and handed each of them a copper mizas, "Take this." They thanked him as he moved on.

Half an hour later he literally ran into someone and was about to apologies when the man drew a wicked dagger, he drew his sword with ring of steel and a flash of light, the next moment Jecon was alone. The man and his knife long gone, Jecon sheathed his sword and carried on, but with the nagging suspicion that someone, or something, was following him. He kept in touch with this feeling, but carried on seemingly carefree.

[Eris]

Eris crept along the street, her feet barely making any sound. This was the best time to explore unfamiliar territory - under the shroud of darkness. Eris was used to moving about in the dark. After all, her profession required it. Still, she felt a certain degree of weariness settle in the pit of her stomach as she heard footsteps nearby. Eris's hand unconsciously reached for her dagger as her eyes darted left and right, looking for the source of the sound. She saw a figure moving across the street, probably male. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the man draw and then sheath his sword. Had he seen her? Or had he noticed someone else? Eris did not like guessing games.

Joel always used to say, "Don't wait to be discovered. Always approach first." This was one of the rare times where her old teacher's advice actually rang true. She had things to do today and she couldn't let herself be distracted by someone who may or may not pose a threat. So, Eris crossed the street, stopped a few steps away from the man and said, " What business do you have here at this hour? It's dangerous to walk these streets at night."

[Jecon]

Jecon was surprised by the sight of woman practically appearing front of him, "I should really pay more attention," Jecon muttered to himself.

" What business do you have here at this hour? It's dangerous to walk these streets at night."

A wry smile played across Jecon's face, "Is it usual for you to ask someone their business as soon as you meet them? But my business is rather non-existent, I am simply exploring the city I call home for now. 'One must always know the ground one lives on, and better the ground he fights on.' is a saying my father had, and I practice it as often as possible. As to dangerous, a keen sword and a keener eye will keep you safer than any amount of walls or armor," at this Jecon's wry smile broke into a full grin, "I think I need some work on the eye part."

Jecon reached out his right hand towards the figure in front of him, which was the hand he used to draw his sword, therefore making drawing the weapon impractical, "The name's Jecon, what's yours, and what is your business on this fine night if I may ask?"

[Eris]

Eris’s eyes narrowed as she looked down at the hand in front of her, but she took it nonetheless. “It is better to ask a stranger’s business face to face than to receive a dagger between the shoulder blades, is it not?” she said quietly, and added, “Your father was a smart man to say such a thing. As for my business, I suppose it is similar to yours – acquainting myself with the lay of the land for…future reference.”

She assessed the man in front of her, wondering how much of a potential threat he was, if any at all. He was a warrior, that much she could see from the way he carried himself and his sword. What she wanted to know was if he could be of any use to her. Sometimes it helped to have an acquaintance in an unfamiliar place. Then again, she couldn’t very well trust the first person she met in the middle of the night on an empty street.

“You say you now call this city home. Am I right to assume that you’ve just arrived here, then? Another adventurer looking for fame and fortune in the city of Syliras?” Eris inquired, raising an eyebrow. Then, realizing that she’s once again fallen into the familiar habit of leaving out her name in conversation, she added, “I am called Eris, by the way.”

[Jecon]

Jecon shook her hand heartily, "You're right, it is better to ask someone their business than to get a dagger in the back. Yes, I am new and I guess one could say I am an adventurer, but I am not looking for either fame or fortune, although both are welcome, I am here to better equip myself, to rest up, and to make friends. Although the last one is not necessary it is always welcome, for when your in the business of revenge a friend is always welcome." "Eris," Jecon said the name with a slight roll of the 'r', "it is a beautiful name."

[Eris]

"Thank you," said Eris, please inspite of herself at the compliment. However, her mind quickly turned to more practical matters at the mention of revenge. "Indeed? I have some experience with revenge," she said, bitterness creeping into her voice. "Do you just want to make some trouble for the person who's wronged you, or are you looking for a more...fatal revenge?" she asked, her eyes acquiring a predatory glint. Eris specialized in the fatal kind of revenge. Perhaps there was something to be gained here for both of them.

[Jecon]

A hard light comes into Jecon's brown eyes as he says, "Fatal, very fatal. A few years ago pirates, sailing the ship Bloodwake, killed my father and my best friend. I seek to better myself in fighting and in weaponry, so one day I can repay them for the wrong they payed me."

[Eris]

“A noble sentiment, to be sure, but how exactly do you plan on finding those pirates? If years have passed, they can be anywhere. They might even already be dead, seeing as pirates don’t usually have very long life spans, what with the plundering and killing and all,” Eris said, a slight smirk forming on her lips.

The man seemed overzealous, eager to better himself, with no idea of what was to come afterwards. Eris did not appreciate that. She was used to having a plan for everything, checking an operation three times over before she actually went out into the field. Her life always hung in the balance of minor details. Plans were essential to her-a way of survival.

[Jecon]

Jecon's countenance lightened slightly, "True, they might be dead, which is another reason I'm here and trying to make good friends. I've known many good people whose lives were ruined by revenge, because they had no life or friends to return to. I'm getting better weapons and skills to fight, but I'm also getting more skills for after I have killed them, or if they are already dead, so I may have a life after my revenge is comeplete. As to how to find them, their ship is rather unique as it is the only pirate ship I know of that has red sails, and I know ways to get a pirates attention."

Jecon waved his hand, "enough of this morbid and dreary topic, would you join me for a midnight snack? My treat."

[Eris]

Eris was never one for dining with strangers, but it was late and she was hungry. Why object to an offering of free food? Besides, she was confident that if the man tried anything, she’d be able to dispatch him rather quickly, sword or not.

“A snack is always welcome,” she smiled slightly, “Lead the way.”