Hellp Wantd (Open)

[Liminal]

Klarsin didn't mind. Indeed, he seemed downright eager to get Akuaysun on his way and off to business.

"Pete's maybe six feet tall, not burly but well-built, sandy brown hair. Once you see his eyes though...there's no mistake. Ain't no one else got eyes like Red-Eyed Pete, and I dearly hope I'm never proven wrong."

"Anyway, he carries a kind of a long knife, blade smooth on one side and serrated on the other. It's not a local design, though I don't know where it would be from. But he doesn't have to use it much, you know. He just has to think about it. People know it, and they leave them alone. Ain't many people I'd bet against to take on Pete, certainly not in Sunberth. Tall Johnny maybe -- that man's as dangerous as they come -- and, I'm hoping, you."

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Tall Johnny's is at the intersection of two of the main roads, maybe half a mile west. It's a brick building, nice-looking, but the easiest way to tell it is that it's the only place around here that hires Akalak guards and puts them outside the doors." There was no reason at this point to believe Klarsin was being anything other than honest.

"You need anything else?" It was a real question, but it had an edge in it that indicated that he hoped Akuaysun would be on his way shortly.

[Akuaysun]

Aku committed the last of the information to memory, it seemed that he and Klarsin had finally begun to see eye to eye. With the information of Pete and Johnny now on hand and the location of where he would most likely find them was time to move on. “I’ll be back when the deed is done, have my money ready.” and with those simple words he hefted the pack from the floor, slid the chair back to it’s home beneath the table and walked out the door, his eyes glancing briefly one last time before slipping back into the daylight.

Outside, he took hold of his horse, slowly running a deeply tanned hand over its coarse hair. It had waited patiently for him outside, and with a quick untying of his reigns began on their way to Tall Johnny’s. The sun was still hanging early in the morning sky, the people of Sunberth slow to rise. This of coarse made things easier, it meant the bar would likely not be so full and further would hopefully insure that all that were slow moving.

His plan was already worked out in his mind; the best way to go about the deed would be quick. Heading west from the house he looked for the tall brick building, eyeing for the dark skinned guards. If Klarsin was correct it wouldn’t have been hard to find. Once identified, he would take one final breath of the morning air and tie off his horse once more.

Inside his eyes would scan the occupants trying to spot Pete, whether he found him or not, he would approach the bar and take a seat calling over the tender with a smile and asking for a drink.

[Liminal]

Tall Johnny's was as easy to find as Klarsin had described. The Akalak guards glanced at Akuaysun, but found no reason to delay him at the door.

He was right in guessing that the establishment wouldn't be that busy at this time of day. The cage and ampitheatre were empty, and only a few customers sat at the bar or played at the gaming tables. The flip side of this was that, among the many people who weren't there was included anyone fitting Pete's description. Apparently, he wasn't an early riser.

In response to Akuaysun's call, a bartender sashayed over to him. She was perhaps twenty-five, with long brown hair, and her shapely figure was barely covered by the skimpy outfit that seemed to be the uniform for all female waitstaff. The woman winked at Akuaysun. "Anything for you, babe," she said, and poured a drink for him.

After that, she began polishing some of the glasses that were lined up behind the bar. She appeared to be in no hurry, as the few other patrons were lost either in thought or in their drinks, and didn't have any requests for her. Of Tall Johnny himself, there was no sign.

[Akuaysun]

There was little pause in his step as Aku slid between the guards and pushed the wooden door to the pub open. They were most definitely Akalak, just as Niall had been. Though some of his memories were jaded he could still remember the battle prowess of the Akalak, the fighting of his past lives was a prominent part of who he was, and albeit the fog of war, the act of killing was one of the most clear in the Myrian’s mind. They would be trouble if Klarsin had lied and Johnny did not take kindly to his act. In fact perhaps more trouble then it was worth. Each of the men seemed firm in their duty, and had it been any other race he would have likely kept no second thoughts on the task.

Stepping inside the air was still heavy with the smell of smoke, both from that of the burning oil lamps and candles and that of cheap tobacco. There was something else as well, a smell one didn’t often find in the world at large. It was salty and metallic and hung in the air distinctly. Most would likely not recognize it but the Myrian was all too familiar, it was the smell of blood. Golden green eyes scanned the confines of the surprising large establishment, and spotted the blackened and rough cage. This was a blood sport bar no doubt, gambling on peoples lives would have been common place and the regulars were often the type that carried bad air about with them. In another time and place Aku would have felt no hesitation about calling a place like this home. His mortal blood rushed with excitement at the prospect.

If things went well he might even take one in if things went poor he might find himself in the very cage. His heart pumped a bit faster as a small sinister smile curled upon his lips. Akuaysun was beginning to like this Tall Johnny; perhaps he would even like Pete. It was hard to say at this junction.

Sitting in a chair with a space between the next occupant to his left, the Ethaefal watched as the young bartender slid over to him. She was about his age, or rather the age of his Myrian form, cute and dress just slightly more then the girls at the brothel in Syliras. A second glance about the bar showed that this was the standard dress for all the employees, easy on the eyes and quick to part a man with his Mizas. He laughed at her response at the order of his drink, picking up the much needed refreshment and giving it a hearty gulp. He had no idea what to expect but anticipated it would be good, at likely a fair price, and undoubtedly strong. Those were the three factors that often parted a man with his coin the quickest.

After a brief moment of milling over the brew, whatever it may have been he let his eyes scan the casino once more. It was fairly dead, a few fellows gambling below, and a few more lounging at the bar, perhaps the survivors of the previous night’s events. The pit to the left seemed to hold a bit of fresh blood in its basin, the source of the heavy smell in the air. It looked as if there had been quite the celebration, that or this was clearly the place to be in Sunberth.

With no luck spotting Pete or Johnny on the duel scan of the occupants Aku turned his attention back to the girl. His well cut form flexed slightly as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the counter. The array of Tattoos and scars that lined his chest more then visible as the blue shirt he was gifted with hung loose and open from his shoulders.

“I have a favor of Red Eyed Pete, and an associate of ours said I would most likely find him here. To my understanding he and Johnny are friends. Would you know where I could find either of them? If not perhaps you could tell a weary traveler a bit about yourself, this place or either of them to pass the time. I’m quite fond of stories…” His smile faded a little as he leaned back a bit on the stool and produce a few gold Mizas from his pocket, and set them on the counter before him. It’s been a long summer and I could use a touch of good news, or something to make me smile.

[Liminal]

"Oh, I know how to make a man smile, babe." The bartender winked at Akuaysun, and then set down the glass she was polishing. A glance at the rest of the bar told her that there were no other customers who needed serving, and so she pulled up a stool and sat directly across from Akuaysun.

"Red-Eyed Pete?" She raised her carefully shaped eyebrows. "You don't bother with the small ones, do you, babe?" The drink she had given him was a local beverage, a difficult-to-describe cross between a vodka and a whiskey, but it was obviously high-quality.

"He and Johnny go way back, although no one really wants to ask how they met. Johnny doesn't come in until around mid-afternoon, but you might well see Pete then too -- one of the top fighters is in the cage today, and neither of them like missing a good show." She shrugged, her bare shoulders rippling. "Me, I prefer loving to fighting."

"And," she added, pushing a stray strand of hair behind one ear, "you can call me Tessie. I've worked here for going on six years now, first as a floor girl, and then at the bar here. Tall Johnny's an interesting man, you might say, but he doesn't like trouble in his place, and it's probably the safest place to work in Sunberth." She laughed lightly. "I don't gather that you're from around here. It's not like other towns -- around here, Johnny's what you'd call a pillar of the community."

"Anyway, babe, it's steady work, and I'm good at what I do." The flirtatious wink appeared again. "And you've happened upon me, and maybe that's the best news you could get."

[Akuaysun]

Internally Akuaysun sighed, the girl was just as he anticipated, one that was good at separating money from man. He wasn’t interested to be honest, having spent so much time in the celestial realm it took more then a warm smile and set of entrancing eyes to entice him. She was playing a part; he could see her for that, one that entailed her getting a good amount of coin from weary travelers and horny residents. In turn he would play a part to gain the information and positioning he wanted. Giving a smile as she winked and rambled he locked eyes with her and listened intently as if she were the only thing in the room that mattered, occasionally breaking his gaze to take a sip of the liquor before him.

The drink was heavy and flowed like diluted bath oils down his throat. It wasn’t horrid by any means but for a man that hadn’t drank in a few centuries it wasn’t exactly easy going either. For all parts his Myrian body seemed to be exactly as it was when he passed on, down to every last scar and tattoo. He hoped that the internals were still processing just as well as they used to, in his day Aku had been quite the partaker in soulful beverages, and since returning he had taken in a brew or two on occasion but nothing to truly test his limits.

“It is my pleasure Tessie, you are most definitely a sight for wandering eyes, and a song for weary ears. It seems you know a bit about the place, it must be quite nice indeed if you’re so happy to spend such time here. This is my first trip to the area, normally I work much farther to the west but my favor of Pete is quite large and its only fitting that a man come to visit when such things are concerned. Johnny is quite lucky to have such a gem at his bar.

He smiled a bit wider, leaning in a bit more as if to say he were interested in anything she had to say. Aku was lucky to find such a loose tongued woman, it seemed that Klarsin had led him astray once again. From Tessie’s description the man seemed quite strong and upfront about his business. Not the type of man you wanted to start a fight with, and most definitely not the type you wanted to cross in his own home. Top the ordeal with the Akalak guards holding up the door and Pete was starting to seem like more trouble then he was worth. Aku could of coarse leave and be done with the mess, or perhaps even double cross the lying Klarsin… that would not likely go over well with his friends however. No tact was the best bet in this engagement, he needed more information.

“Were you raised around this area or did you come here for other reasons? It’s an interesting town I must admit, I’d guess from what you said it’s a bit cut throat as well, especially if the blood sport is as rough as it sounds. You would think things got out of hand with that going about. He paused for a moment glancing to the cage and then back to the woman, locking eyes with her. “Are there rooms here? If Pete doesn’t oblige me right away I might have to stay around for a while. I know he isn’t really from around here so I imagine he is staying close by, well unless he finally parted with the Mizas to get a place in town. I’d like to stay close by him till my visit has passed by.” Giving a soft laugh Aku picked up the glass and took another small sip from his drink awaiting what she had to say.

[Liminal]

Tessie gave the silvery laugh again. "Raised is an odd word for it, but I'm from around here. My parents were both caught in a bar fight when I was fifteen, and I made a living for myself telling fortunes until I caught on here with Johnny. You could say this place is out of hand, but the thing is, the folks here like it that way. Memories run deep in Sunberth -- this was a mining town run by Alahean slave-labor until the Valterrian, and even now, government and order and law are unpopular subjects. A person can make their way here, but they have to understand the way things work, you know?"

A salacious smile appeared. "A room? Is that an offer?" Before giving Akuaysun a chance to reply, she continued, a bit more seriously, "Yes, there's a few rooms in the back. A bit pricier than at the inns, but you'll sleep more soundly, knowing that there's less of a chance of getting knifed in your sleep." She didn't sound as if she was exaggerating.

"Pete's staying here, but not in the regular rooms. Since he's a friend of Johnny's, Johnny puts him up in the guest suite. I've never been in there, but they say it's like living in a palace. Anyway, I doubt you'll have to wait long. Pete, he likes a view of the action -- and he doesn't mind the pretty girls either." The wink again, but this time more conspiratorial than flirtatious.

"I don't know where he's from usually, or how long he's staying -- he doesn't talk about that kind of thing. I understand he's got another friend here he's been trying to see, but that's about all. When he comes up and I'm waiting the bar, he's got other things on his mind, if you know what I mean."

[Akuaysun]

Aku listened to what she said about the town’s people’s thoughts of government and leadership. It was interesting that after five hundred years they still held so valiantly to the memories of their ancestors. Things in Sunberth must have been horrid for those stories, and ideas to carry so well. Especially amongst humans who were fairly short lived and craved new powers at ever turn. It seemed, even in this new world, that someone was always trying to control others. Perhaps it was that very idea that scared these people, the thought of having their freedom and lifestyle revoked. Akuaysun could hardly argue that it was not appealing, even to a creature such as himself.

“I could hardly blame him…” Aku let out a soft chuckle before wetting his lips with the beverage once more. The woman, Tessie, was proving invaluable; she was as forthcoming with information as a river was with water. It seemed however that Pete and Johnny were good friends, or at least good enough to share generosities. Things were looking more and more troublesome by the moment, however, at least now Aku knew that Pete was staying in house, somewhere. “Sounds like Pete and Johnny go way back, I might have to take a word with him during my stay if the perks of friendship are so high.” He laughed again to continue the show whilst his mind milled over the facts.

It was interesting, this girl claimed to have worked in the bar for over six years yet in that time had never seen the guest suite. It seemed that the area was rather off limits. Another troubling piece to add to the puzzle, of course it also showed that the girl was not a common bar whore either. She was a sight most definitely but if she had turned down the offers she had likely received, even from Pete, well that said she also carried a modicum of respect for herself as well. An interesting combination, perhaps she was just trying to make it in this city like any of the rest.

“I don’t mind waiting; I have all the time in this world and the next. If Pete takes his time I won’t hold it against him considering the company. Besides I’m sure he will pull himself out of bed eventually, no need to rush things along on such a fine day. I’m a firm believer in enjoying the little things, one never knows when it’s their last.” He laughed again, it could have been the booze, or simply being humored by him self but the choice of words was enough to cast and ear to ear grin across his face. Sunberth was definitely becoming his type of town; it would be a shame to have to leave so soon.

[Liminal]

"True enough, true enough," Tessie said, and this time, the smile on her face was less salacious, and more thoughtful. Another customer came up to the bar, a tired-looking woman, and Tessie moved over to serve the new patron.

Perhaps half an hour passed. The activity level in the establishment was beginning to increase. There were no windows, but one could feel that the city was slowly awakening.

Then, another person approached the bar. He was close to six feet tall, with light brown hair that he wore to his shoulders. He seemed to know exactly what he was doing; he walked with confidence up to the bar and then sat down three stools away from Akuaysun.

"Tessie, m'love?" He wasn't speaking loudly, but he had the kind of voice that it was impossible to ignore. "Can I get a drink here?"

She had just finished serving a pair of ladies at the end of the bar. Tessie turned, and a look of recognition flitted across her eyes. She poured a glass from a blue bottle, and set it down in front of him. "Anything for you, Pete."

He turned slightly, and as he did, Akuaysun would be able to see his face. His features were by no means remarkable, except for his eyes...

They were a deep, livid red, with no visible pupils or irises. Indeed, it was impossible to tell which direction the man was looking, although it was clear that, despite their appearance, his eyes were fully functional. It was difficult to look away from them, although staring would no doubt be frowned upon.

However, if Pete had noticed Akuaysun, he didn't show it. He simply took another sip from his drink, and set it down again with a small clink.

[Akuaysun]

The day was starting to fire up as more customers filled the establishment. It was said that the easiest way to cure a hangover was to start up the previous nights activities and it seemed that the people of Sunberth believed that old saying as well. It wasn’t even midday yet and already people of all ages were pouring into the bar. Down the way Tessie attended to other patrons, the first a tired looking woman who looked as if she had seen much better days.

In his own little world Aku sipped on the drink letting its flavor roll over his tongue and about his mouth. He made sure to take his time with it knowing full well what would happen if he chose to just gulp them down. As half an hour passed Aku was just finishing the local brew when a man chose to take place just out of arm’s reach from him.

He was confident, not like Aku, no this man was beyond that, he had the confidence of someone who felt they were untouchable, he was arrogant. The feeling was likely earned, he did have the demeanor of someone who had done things, seen places, and been around the countryside a few times. When you had been atop the hill for so long things at the bottom started getting hazy.

As Pete called for Tessie, Aku raised his glass and spoke a bit louder. “Another for me as well Tessie, and be kind enough to put his on my tab.” The Myrian smiled wide and gave a nod to the red eyed devil just down the bar from him. “Good morning Pete, when you’ve woke and have a bit of time I have a favor of you. No rush, just tidings from a mutual acquaintance. Aku smiled again and turned his attention back to the drink. Slowly he ran a finger about the rim, debating internally, happy externally and watching the bartenders every move. “Is there anyway I could trouble you for a bit of breakfast to go with my drink as well? I have a feeling today is going to be plenty exciting. “