Closed [The Patchwork Port] Docked for the Winter...

[Nyxie Nadira Draer]

OOC :

Gosh, writing about stealing from someone is harder than I thought. Making it sound convincing was what made it difficult --- let me know if there’s anything I have to edit, in order to make it more believable. Thanks!

Petch.

Nyxie handed the pipe back, her face tinged slightly red, but politely smiling nonetheless. She would’t underestimate this man ever again.

Not wanting to miss the details, she listened attentively to Zavid’s instructions. It seemed like she’d have to be extra careful for this job. She couldn’t afford to make any mistakes; there was no doubt that this merchant was capable of the unthinkable. Reassuring him of her steadfast courage would be the best way to pacify his doubts.

“Mate, trust me. The package will be in your hands before the sun rises. No need to worry. Now, if you happen to meet my family while I’m gone, please inform them with whatever will allay their curiosities,” she nodded to signal her gratitude. “I shall see you soon.”

And with that, Nyxie rose. She picked up her pack and strapped it to her back, then waved farewell to the old man, before setting off towards the head of the docks…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Trying to look inconspicuous, Nyxie rummaged through her bag. Her fingers grasped the item she was looking for and quickly slipped it into her skirt’s back pocket. She slung the bag over her right shoulder, and then searched the docks for her target. Adrenaline started to pump through Nyxie’s veins when she finally laid eyes on a familiar pendant. Was it jade? She squinted to check the color that gleamed off the precious stone. Yes, it was indeed a bluish-green shade. And the black bag hung by the belt on his right. Perfect.

The messenger looked to be speaking to another man; it seemed like they were in the midst of a serious conversation. A younger lad of about 20 years stood silent beside them, looking out into the waters, his arms crossed in front of him. Zavid had told her to be silent, but there was no way to get close to the target without getting between him and the younger one. Besides, this shouldn’t take too long…

Nyxie sauntered over to the lad and gave him a warm smile, “Good evening, sir. Would you mind directing me to the nearest tavern? The streets have changed again,” she giggled while playing with a strand of her hair; an effort to look feminine and ditzy, “and I’m afraid I’m clueless when it comes figuring out the patterns~” Just as she expected, the young man let out a chuckle and offered to help. Soon enough, they started to get into a friendly chat, and Nyxie worked her way between the two men.

“Oh yes, I’ve been to the Stallion’s Rear; their ale is better than most. Did you hear about that time when the bartender…” she continued with a story to distract him, making gestures with her left hand to add inflection to her words. His eyes would be too pre-occupied on Nyxie’s left side to notice her right hand reaching into her back pocket. Swiftly, she took out the eating knife and gripped the shaft like an icepick with her thumb on the base, pointing the blade behind her. Nyxie had positioned herself exactly beside the black bag tied to the messenger’s side; the knife in her hand was inches away from the string tied to the belt. Her next move was going to be risky---one that required a smooth execution, in order to avoid suspicion.

Nyxie feigned excitement, moving her body in way that made her bag start to slip from her shoulder “YES! I know exactly what you—“ a nimble slash with her right hand was followed promptly by the fall of both bags. “Oh petch, I’m sorry, let me---” she stammered, while scrambling to her knees, making sure to let her cloak fall over her shoulders to hide sandy floor. Nyxie quickly stuffed the messenger’s black bag into her own before casually getting back up on her feet. She slung her pack back onto her shoulder and smiled apologetically,

“Yes, I’m alright, thank you. Now, where were we~?”

Soon enough, Nyxie said goodbye to the young lad and started to walk towards the city streets with a satisfied grin on her face. The messenger had been almost completely oblivious. He only turned for a second to see Nyxie on the ground, realizing that she’d just dropped something, before returning to his conversation.

Feeling smug, the young Svefra moved along at a steady and confident gait. Zavid had been right; Nyxie didn’t find it difficult to know where she needed to go. She reached a dark forest and began to catch a whiff of a familiar scent. The smell drew her towards the door to the Wretched Rumor.

Nyxie was a little anxious. This place looked sort of eerie, and a lot different from what she’d imagined. But the promise of fortune was great enough for her to muster the courage to open the door…

“I’m looking for Ravion Roma.”

[Tapestry]

e
The Wretched Rumor's door hung open like a maw, drawing Nyxie in to the warmth of the firelight and the murmur of conversation. Men and women sat at the various tables scattered around the bar, watching her at the door with undisguised interest. They were a rough sort, scarred, weary, and carrying the tools of their trade on their belts. A few had not even bothered to wash the blood that flecked their fists from where it sprayed when their weapons fell.

Hops, blood, and rust. If there was a smell for the Wretched Rumor, it would be written in those ingredients. One or two of the burliest men made to stand, to walk towards her. Only those who had spilled blood came this way, and that meant she was either accidentally in the wrong place, or she had more fight in her than she looked.

But then she spoke, and both men sat down.

Everyone grew quiet.

Furtive glances traded for mutual silence, and one by one they turned their eyes to the bar. Behind it, Ravion Roma polished a glass deliberately, slowly, his eyes passing along the patrons and Nyxie like fat white worms, exploring every inch of her exposed flesh...and perhaps beneath.

"Now," he said, his voice a rich melody that carried through the entirety of the bar, "What do we have here? Not often a stranger comes looking for me."

He took the mug in his hand and kicked at a spigot, placing the mug beneath a spray of amber liquid before putting it up on the bar. "Come then, traveler, share a drink in my establishment and maybe you can tell me...why you've come looking for Ravion Roma."

No one said a word, they hung in silence, watching Nyxie, measuring what she would do.

Even for a girl as new to the venue as Nyxie, she could sense the fear pouring off the mercenaries and murderers here. Something about Ravion frightened them.

And as he smiled at her.

Something about him almost forced fear on her too.
e

[Nyxie Nadira Draer]

Beads of nervous sweat ran down Nyxie’s back as she shiftily surveyed the room full of silent men. All of them were staring at the man behind the bar.

She gulped.

“Now, what do we have here? Not often a stranger comes looking for me. Come then, traveler, share a drink in my establishment and maybe you can tell me...why you've come looking for Ravion Roma."

Her face involuntarily grimaced, immediately wary of his charming tone. Here she was, in an apparently dangerous tavern crowded by deadly looking men, and an obviously influential person was offering her a drink. It was too strange to be true.

Ionu, what’ve you gotten me into?

Nyx started to leisurely walk towards the front of the bar, with downcast eyes on the bloodstained floor. She couldn’t bear to see the awful looks of those around her. To say that Nyxie was frightened would be an understatement.

But she wasn’t here to cause any trouble. She just had to do what she was told and be done with it. No big deal, right? …Taking a deep breath, Nyx decided to feign a show of confidence.

Clammy palms gripped the weighty bag, slipping it off her shoulders. She brought a hand up to her hair and flipped it, while the other hand plopped the bag on the bar table.

“Alright,” she said with a smirk, knowing that she was being watched. “I have a package for ya, mate.”

Nyxie sighed before picking up the wooden mug and taking a few slugs of the drink. She didn’t care what it was. Not only was Nyx sure that it would calm her nerves, but she was also fairly thirsty from the long walk over. The mug was emptied in less than a chime. Clearly satisfied with the complimentary offer, Nyxie grinned at the man in front of her as she wiped a drop on her lip with the back of her hand.

“Mm, that was lovely,” she said, her fingers now pulling at the strings of her bag. “Thanks, luv. Much appreciated.” Nyxie then leaned across the bar and gestured for Ravion to get closer. She wasn’t sure how covert this job was supposed to be, but assumed that it’d be best to continue in a hushed tone.

“Zavid told me to find you. Said you’d have something to give me in return for handing you this thing here,” she pulled out the stolen loot from the canvas sack. “Don’t worry, I have no idea what’s in there,” she said with a shrug. “I just know that I’ll be rewarded for my service. So again, thanks for the drink, and I’ll be on my way once I receive whatever Zavid’s payment is.”

Nyxie placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head to the side, willing to leave this place the second she sensed a threat. But for now, she'd try to stay calm. She’d wait for Ravion to do whatever he needed to do. Hoping for the best, Nyxie gave him a reassuring smile before glancing around the room, already starting to grow impatient. Something about this place just gave her the creeps.

Her eyes caught sight of a tall, black door, behind the bar.

That must be the Back Room. Oh Ionu, don’t you dare do anything to drag me in there… but I wonder what’s inside…

[Tapestry]

e
Ravion was not a tall man. Curiously, he was rather short with piercing brown eyes and the air of a businessman about him, a predator. As soon as Nyxie sat and began drinking, the bar resumed its previous course. People spoke to each other again and the girl was all but forgotten. It was as if she had passed some secret rite of passage, taken the first drink and thus, the first step, in belonging to a place like this.

Ravion took the bag she offered, dangling it from the drawstring between two fingers. He seemed to measure the weight of it, nodding to himself before putting it behind the bar.

"I didn't think he'd find a willing volunteer," Ravion said to her quietly, his eyes glittering with something like amusement, "Considering the risk, I'm surprised you took the burden."

His eyes were inscrutable, and a small smile spread across his face, "Or perhaps you didn't know? Sweet thing, did the merchant tell you it was a simple delivery? Did he not..." He paused, eyes glancing furtively around the bar before drawing back to her. "Well, you're here. None but Tanroa can change that."

He knelt behind the bar, hands searching for something that his eyes would not meet. Instead he kept the gaze level on the Svefra and returned with a a sealed envelope, in wax, that bulged in the center with something weighty. Putting it on the tabletop, he pushed it over to her.

After a moment, he reached to a bag on his belt and tossed it onto the table as well, it hit with the sound of many metal things clinking together. "My thanks for the delivery, girl. A little coin for your troubles in getting here. It would be best, I think, to put the memory of this affair out of your mind. You've never been to the Wretched Rumor, and you've never met me." He smiled, but there was nothing comforting there, only menacing and hungry, "It will be safer for you to take up that mantra."
e

[Nyxie Nadira Draer]

“Safer?” Nyxie scoffed.

She brought a hand up to rid an itch in her eye, then clicked her tongue in annoyance. “Look, as much as I appreciate your kindness tonight, Roma… don’t pretend like you care for my safety.” Nyx brought both her hands together and folded them on the table, glowering at the brown-eyed man before her. Her voice started to rise in anger.

“I’m a little insulted, luv. Who do you think you are, assuming what’s ‘best’ for me?” She pounded her chest twice with a fist; a habit she picked up from Erich, through all the times he tried to look macho. “You think I don’t know how to take care of myself? Think again. I had a feeling there were risks involved, but I took the petchin’ job anyways.” Her gaze lowered, a low chuckle rose from her throat. “I’d do almost anything for money, hun.”

Nyxie took a sharp breath, wondering if she really meant what she said. “I mean… I say ‘almost’, ‘cause I still have a petchin’ heart,” she sneered, with a smirk on her face. “Wouldn’t kill a baby or rob from the poor, now, would you?”

Not knowing what Roma was capable of, Nyx squinted her eyes, trying to size up the short man.

“Babe, I’m curious to know what’s going on here,” she drummed her fingers on the table. “Have I not proven to be trustworthy?” Exasperated by her efforts to understand the man, Nyxie sighed. She needed to cool down. “Alright, whatever. If you’re serious about kicking me outta here---fine. I’ll leave …I’ll do as you say, and forget about all of this.”

She reached into her sack and pulled out a couple mizas, flipping one in the air.

“But first… pour me another drink.”