Open [The Pig's Foot Tavern] A Running Request

[Jax Charter]

Timestamp: 2nd of Autumn, 514 AV Jax breathed in through her nose, out through her mouth. In and out, in and out... Her arms pumped tightly on either side and underneath her, Jax's legs were a blur. She kept up the pressure and vaulted over a cart of something or other. Really Sunberth had carts of assorted objets and materials just lying around. She found that many were so convinced of their theft that they threw caution to the wind. The Sunset Quarter was mildly crowded but she dove around people easily enough and even slid under several pairs of legs. Jax kept running and eventually she reached her destination, and took a quick glance around to make sure that nobody was following her. Satisfied that none of the villains were stalking her, Jax opened the door to the Pig's Foot Tavern and entered. Having grown up in Sunberth, Jax was beginning to remember how important it was not to antagonize people of any sort. Mostly because the people of Sunberth almost never were what they looked to be. And so she inched her way across the establishment, always stopping to let others pass and sometimes narrowly avoiding collisions with red-faced drunks. She swore that somebody made a grasp for her rear as well but she decided not to think about that. She made eye contact briefly with Merv, who ran the tavern and he nodded lightly. He might be as old as the city, but with good reason. Merv had always recognized and welcomed Sunberthans without hesitation. While she ran, Jax had wondered how she could call attention to her need without bothering anyone too much and without seeming desperate. In the end, she resolved to do things the way many a person in need have always voiced their requests. "Hey! I'm willing to pay anybody who's half-decent with a sword! Come see me if you're interested!" Jax's voice had been somewhat dimmed at the beginning by the din of the bar but afterwards everyone grew silent. Dozens of eyes scanned her, and after a chime they returned to their respective conversations and paid her no more heed. Jax shook her head and sat down at the bar. She had been hoping someone would have volunteered straight away. "Hey Merv! I'll have a drink when you're free!" And with that Jax sighed and began to stroke her whip. It was discreet, just to be cautious but the barbs of the whip tickled her fingers as long as she stroked with them, not against. It was a dangerous and amusing habit but at least it helped to keep her occupied. The night could be a very long one, she reflected.

[Fallon]

Fallon turned and lifted her head, eyes blinking as she heard the clinking opening the tavern door. She the arm was over the back of her chair, a full lean back as she watched whoever it was dip in and then out of sight once more. Her gaze quickly returned to the tavern, or more over the table and the nervous client before her. Or more correctly a man who seemed to barely mutter his words. The orbs stared to him, and then flickered down to the kukri she had placed firmly between them. It was the finger that gave a trace of the hilt, a chew upon her lips as she plucked upon her working accent, the Bitzer persona fixing itself firmly in place. It was a job she was being offered, but that was that - it did not interest her, and the prospect of it grated against her.

"Acting as a slave guard is far from my interest," her fingers gripped around the hilt of the kukri, pulling it back towards her, "More so with the current issues they seem to be having. I am no rumour fool and I do like living." She pressed herself up, eyes looking down the bridge of her nose to the target before her she turned her head, "No, not interested. You canno-"
"Double! Double gol-"
"Cannot pay m-"
"Triple!"
"Enough!" she slammed her hand down onto the table then, eyes burning down onto the man. There was little more than a snort, a stand up to her full height before she caught the calling request across the establishment. She gave a firm point in the general direction of the request, "I have declined. Besides, I've just heard a new business prospect opening up. So, good day to you."

The blade was sheathed, the firm pivoting step away as the angry ribald met her back. Cowardly, gutless, spineless. She simply shook her head and made the weave around the patrons, sliding on past the bar and slamming down a few mizas without a second thought, the other hand raised two fingers up to him. She heard Merv, a more familiar face to her now, release a snort an place the cups down onto the surface and some old malt spirit in the bottle. Claiming them she made her way onwards to her destination, gently placing down a cup on the woman's right and then sliding round to the left. Taking the lean against the bar, she proceeded to uncork and pour it into the cup without a thought.

"So," she begun, the rougher accent taking hold, "You need someone who's half decent with a sword, so I heard?" The right hand came out to shake, simple politeness used for the beginning of business, "I go by Bitzer in these parts, mercenary by trade and mean with a blade. So, what do you need a sword singer for?"

[Jax Charter]

The small clack of a cup being placed at Jax's right made her start, and clip her thumb on one of her whip's barbs. "Ah... Thanks for the drink." Jax stuck her thumb in her mouth and sucked away the excess blood. Involuntarily, she made a face from the taste of blood on her tongue. Removing her thumb from her mouth, she then pressed it with mild pressure into her left palm. Jax was something of an old pro at dealing with cuts and nicks especially that one time she ran off a cliff... She blinked, and smiled hesitantly at the newcomer who'd brought a drink. "So, you need someone who's half decent with a sword, so I heard?" Jax was slightly taken back by the gruffness of the woman's voice but smiled more confidently at her outstretched hand. She brought up her right hand and glanced to find that small as the nick was, it was already closing up. She shook the woman's hand and nodded in answer to her question. "I go by Bitzer in these parts, mercenary by trade and mean with a blade. So, what do you need a sword singer for?" Bitzer... That's a different name. Then again, who am I to talk? "Jax, that's my name and I have quite a big problem. In fact," Jax looked around and reexamined the surrounding patrons. "Hmm, you aren't a Sunberthan are you." It was phrased as more of a statement than a question and Jax didn't wait for an answer. "I will pay you well, for a good cause. Simply suffice it to say that there are some here who may not have our best interests at heart. Tell me Bitzer, do you know of a place where such ears would have difficulty hearing us?" Jax turned to face Bitzer, and subtly gestured to her whip and then cupped her hands together as though holding something. Finally, she made a small but universal gesture by tapping her whip and making a motion as though lashing a whip. She repeated the cupping of her hands and wondered if Bitzer understood. She feared others would. She was trying to communicate that her targets were Kelvic slavers, but the slave trade was so successful that she worried many wouldn't take to kindly to her actions against them. "Um, they've occupied my hou-" Mid-sentence, a rough grip tore Jax from her seat. She flew to the floor and banged her head on a chair leg. When her vision cleared enough for her to see faces, Jax recognized one of the slavers who had chased her away from her house. "You're going to fetch a grand price!" He spat. All that Jax could do was look around him with a pleading look at Bitzer, her face framed by light and dark strands of hair. A sword singer? Do such folk help others without a fee? Jax jerked to the side as a heavy boot crashed next to her head. "Help!" Several of the other patrons guffawed and watched with interest. Most ignored the spectacle and Merv was serving others at the other end of the bar. Clearly, Jax had landed herself in a dire situation.

[Fallon]

There was only a mumble in response, barely audible above the sound of the tavern. A gentle glug, it was corked once more after a long moment of musing, and promptly she lowered it down. The shake was taken in response, and when it was released there was little more than the glance to her as she sipped from her own cup. She let the bitter taste rest in her mouth, swirled it round and promptly swallowed without a second thought. There was a lick of the lips, a pause as she weighed up the words and then spoke.

"Could say the same of you," she gave a shrug, and flexed the gloved fingers with thought, "Not many locals take a hand shake after all. Guess you could break down to what makes one a 'Berther if you really want, but I don't think you have time for that." The finger traced around the rim of the cup, her gaze staring down into the depths. Occasionally she gave a flicker over, watching those animated hands that tried to make simple gesture away - thought whatever she was trying to suggest was momentarily beyond her. Words were her forte, the subtle tones no doubt helped her put together the puzzle of the woman beside her.

Danger, mystery and intrigue - along with a belief that whatever it was for, it was good. It made her wonder if the woman had the aspect of self righteousness or if it was indeed, a good thing. To which then, was still only questionable. Slavers believed they were good, for they brought in cheap labour to build, please and use for the city - the flipside was that they were poorly treated and left to suffer all forms of brutality. She gave a frown, another sip from her drink as the woman questioned if she knew of somewhere more secretive for a more private conversation. For a moment she rubbed her chin, eyes narrowing in consideration of where was suitable. She uncorked the drink, barely letting it dribble forth once more before the woman next to her was promptly dragged off her seat.

Releasing a frown she turned her head to look back, her eyes glancing onto the rough accosting that was occurring by a chainer. The lips pursed, her eyes sliding over to Merv, then slid back to Jax and her shrieking, and then finally returned to the bartender. Sighing she stood herself up, holding the neck of the bottle within her grasp, "Put it on my tab will you Merv?"

Clicking and rolling her shoulders she reached inwards to herself, the innards trembling as she plucked upon her core. It rose, rising up through her chest, into her throat, lacing around as she brought herself up square. The gaze locked, flooding in with suggestion and incentive - You should fear me. You should run - a link as she breathed and exhaled a growl. There was a step forward towards the slaver, the popping off from the cork of the bottle, the arm stretching upwards over his head. Her eyes burned at him, the gentle glug as she looked upon his angered face twist with confusion as the alcohol was poured down across him. Letting it drip, it glugged, tangling into his hair as he scowled, and the last few flecks were sprayed across him. He released a snarl, "Who do you think you are, you little bi-"

Fallon smashed the bottle against his face. He staggered, stunned almost that she'd swung the bottle at him, hand rising to cup the side where the shards had cut. Lips parted a slither of white, wolfish almost in nature, "You heard of the Red Wolf? Course you have. Lot's have. You should fear wolves you know." There was a small wince then, her eyes narrowing down as she weighed him up. She gave a stepping advance, her left hand reaching down to Jax in gesture, the gaze swept to her and locking for a moment before she spoke once more, the lacing of thought and incentive - trust me - "Get up, we're leaving."

It was the other hand that rested over the tulwar hilt, ready for a quick draw and a firm jab of the disc pommel to the gut - keep it clean for Merv after all. The gaze swept up again, the growl in her voice as she considered her chances and her options, "Now, you're going to move out of my way. Understand me chainer?"

[Jax Charter]

Jax couldn't describe the sense of relief she felt when she saw Bitzer get up. She had a bottle in her hand, not a sword and at first she was confused and then she heard the calm request that the bottle be paid for. Bitzer then got out of her seat and upended the alcohol on the slaver. A slowly building dread for the brute who had grabbed her began to grow and it intensified when the man had the balls to say, "Who do you think you are, you little bi-" Bam! Not surprisingly the bottle met face in a satisfying crash and Jax covered her face to protect from stray shards. She heard the still taunting voice speak of The Red Wolf. So that's who...who killed my parents. She uncovered her face to see Bitzer offering a hand a reassuring look in her eyes. She took the hand and got up, her own face now set in an expression of extreme displeasure. Jax had had enough of being picked up and brushed off. She had come a long way, seen many things and now she wouldn't let one damned slaver stand in her way. Mirroring his own wolfish grin of moments past, Jax uncoiled her whip making sure to let the barbs catch the light evilly. Bitzer's rough voice intoned a grave warning. "Now, you're going to move out of my way. Understand me chainer?" Jax decided she had better not seem weak next to her possible hired arm. Laughing in what she thought was an eerie tone, she flexed her wrist whip in hand. "You pissed off the wrong women, Jack." Of course, Jax had no idea what the slaver's name was but it had seemed fitting. There was a long chime where everyone stood still and even the conversation in the tavern grew hushed. It seemed as though the slaver might take his chances at first but then his eyes flicked from Jax's whip to Bitzer's wicked looking sword and he cursed. "Petch you! I'll be back and next time I won't be alone!" This statement was somewhat undermined by his next action, which was to frantically scramble out of the tavern like a spooked pup. Jax heard Merv break the silence with a throaty chuckle and everything went back to normal. Jax turned to Bitzer and smiled. "Thank you for having my back, those slavers are staying in my house and I want them to get the petch out of it. Though, now we have their name maybe we could even go so far as to-" Jax blinked, realizing what she was saying. "Oh. I'm sorry, you never actually agreed to help me. Bitzer?" She cocked an eyebrow at the gruff woman and doing so she recoiled her whip. "If you're in, I bet half the pay will manifest itself from those petchers' coin purses!"

[Fallon]

A snort, the breaking of teeth as the woman attempted to copy what was going about her. A mimicry of intimidation in its finest form - though it did make part of her wonder why exactly she did so. Her eyes only burned after the thug as he made his tactical retreat, her nostrils flaring as she tried to tally up the values of the situation - barely a piecemeal of what could and could not be achieved. It made her writhe internally, but that could also be down to the ever present lust for knowledge and information. The leather of her gloves crinkled, tensed and then released. Behind her she heard Merv speak up, slicing through her thoughts that looked for some form of clarity, "Red Wolf? Isn't that one of your other names Bitzer?"

Fallon only gave a nod in response, and proceeded to chew angrily at her lip. That was another aspect that bothered her. How did they manage to link that name up to slave trade she did not know - but it partially dug at her. Bitzer, Red Wolf and the Scars were all aspects that were against such a trade, so to suddenly be able to link the name up to a belief that was what she in alignment with such a thing made her wonder. The remains of the broken bottle was placed upon the bar side, the hand that once pulled the other up releasing and shifting back to her tulwar hilt. The frown did not lift, and it was a gentle hum that rose up into her throat whilst the lacing energy within it gently throbbed down and away - relaxing and easing off.

It was her name, why was another using it. A growl escaped, and eased eventually into a sigh. There was nothing she could really do apart from deal with the new arising situation - and promptly stamp on those who soiled her name with their intentions. She clicked, and turned her head to Jax once more when she spoke up. Orbs blinked, the brow easing off whilst the rest finally clicked into place. Business was at hand, and so she returned the working face to its rightful position at the front of this particular conversation.

"You talk of bet but do not put a value on it," Fallon frowned then, "Numbers, figures. Betting... gambling is... not a suitable number?" Straightening out the mercenary addressed the woman directly, "I will not agree just yet. Before I do so I must fully understand the situation and what compensation will be attained from assisting. Or if you prefer, payment. Good causes may be one thing, but I still need to be able to put bread on the table." She spoke firmly, no room for argument within her voice, "How much, who am I dealing with, how many am I dealing with? Will just I be enough, or will I need extra heads and hands to assist? And how long are you planning for this to go on for? A day? Several? More?" Fallon shook her head, "Formalities, the more information you can supply to myself, the better I will be able to perform, yes?"

[Jax Charter]

Bitzer looked deadly serious and Jax sobered, growing more relaxed after the high tension of chimes past. "How much, who am I dealing with, how many am I dealing with? Will just I be enough, or will I need extra heads and hands to assist? And how long are you planning for this to go on for? A day? Several? More?" These questions gave Jax pause, as she hadn't thought of the details but she had certainly been rearing to go a moment ago. She shook herself and realized she had been a fool and that she should know better. "Formalities, the more information you can supply to myself, the better I will be able to perform, yes?" Jax nodded in agreement, Bitzer was talking sensibly and she knew she would do well to follow her lead. She took a chime to gather her thoughts, and then stared intensely into Bitzer's eyes, to try and mimic the look of an employer instructing their charge. "You get 30 Mizas now and half of what we get off the scum when we find them. If I remember correctly, there were half a dozen at the house. Unfortunately from what we've just witnessed, it is possible they have friends. I leave the decision to you if you think we need more help but to tell you the truth," Jax allowed herself a wicked grin. "I'm always in need of training with this whip. As for timing, I'd like to off the petchers as soon as possible, today if we can. If we're in agreement you can take this and we'll be on our way." Jax held out the proffered Mizas and nodded to Merv. "Sorry for the trouble, it won't happen again!" If Bitzer took the Mizas, Jax would duck and weave among the patrons until she reached the door and then open it wide calling to Bitzer, "Come! We have wolves to catch!"

[Fallon]

The woman was eager. Too eager, and it made the inklings of suspicion rise within her quicker than wild fire. Her back straightened, a flicker of a glance to the patrons and the routes out the tavern, a counting of heads and faces that were already upon her. There was overconfidence too, a reckless sort that would get one hurt and killed. And if it was training she spoke of then it suggested she was far from confident in using such a weapon - which meant she was also a liability. Her eyes looked down to the offered coin, the mind ticking over and forming the pieces together in her mind. It seemed all far too convenient for her liking.

"No," Fallon hands rested on the hilts of her blades, and then stared solely at Jax. Her face turned neutral, her voice firm but refusing to raise in anger, "I will not charge head on into a battle with an unknown number, with a drink inside me and someone who sounds incompetent with their chosen weapon of practice." She shook her head then, and promptly looked at the woman from beneath her brow, "It would be an unnecessary danger, more so if I have you to look after as well. Too many loose ends for my liking." She gave a slow step after the woman, firm and sounding upon the floor, "You say at the house but give no word of location. And whilst I appreciate your eagerness, it is not built on solid ground."

Fallon cleared her throat and gave only a wave back to Merv as she stepped towards the open door, "Today is not a good day simply. My want for knowing is not sated, and I strongly believe that more help would be needed. On the basis there is a least six, there is always possibly more. And whilst I am confident in my abilities, I am not so when it risks the chance of being mobbed." She drew in a deep intake of breath, the gaze sharpening as she spoke coolly, "Besides, what are you going to do when they are in close and not at range?"

It was really little more than cold, hard logic - something that she had gained through the years of fighting. It left her cooled when it came to matters of combat, and forced the thoughts of tactics into the front of her mind. Experience in every single sense of the word. Fallon clicked her neck, and then rolled her shoulders, "You can keep your coin, for now. For then I am not hired by you, and thus not bound by your request - you must understand that, employer." Nostrils flared, the flicker of the burn resting there as if daring her to challenge, before once more it died down.

"You will tell me the location of your home, and you will give me four days. I will view the location myself, I will count the numbers and value their strength with my own eyes. And on the fourth night, I will come with my associate and we will reign down Hai incarnate upon them. Then you may pay what you see fit," there was a step forward with every inch of her mercenary mind putting forth a firm plan. Steel laced her voice, a locking of a glare and a wolfish glint within her eyes as she laid down the ultimatum, "Take it, or leave it." With that she stepped on past, a mere glance over her shoulder as she embraced the night air, "You have my word on what I will do should you accept. I have my own reasons to do so after all. I can assure you that much."

[Jax Charter]

At first, Jax wanted to curse at Fallon for insulting her skill with her whip but she knew that the other woman had a good reason to suspect so and all of her other logic was unassailable. It especially stung when she pointed out that Jax would likely be put at a disadvantage when they drew nearer. "You can keep your coin, for now. For then I am not hired by you, and thus not bound by your request - you must understand that, employer." It was quickly becoming clear that despite the gruff outer skin, Bitzer was an analytical thinker with a sharp mind and sharper tongue. So while Jax could do little more than gawk at her boldness, Bitzer continued. "You will tell me the location of your home, and you will give me four days. I will view the location myself, I will count the numbers and value their strength with my own eyes. And on the fourth night, I will come with my associate and we will reign down Hai incarnate upon them. Then you may pay what you see fit." The expression Bitzer wore was one of clear defiance, "Take it, or leave it." Jax had another observation then. She hadn't so much as challenged the woman's authority even under the pretext of a possible employer and Bitzer was still acting as though she had. It made Jax question whether she had been either forced to work under someone she hated in the past or if she herself might even have been a slave. Whatever her motives, Bitzer definitely had most interesting character that Jax had encountered yet. Even as Bitzer began to leave, Jax started after her, still breathless in the echo of the brave counteroffer that she had made. "You have my word on what I will do should you accept. I have my own reasons to do so after all. I can assure you that much." Jax finally caught up with Bitzer and took a moment to catch her breath. "You - hah - you've got yourself a deal. My house is in the southern outskirts of The Sunset Quarter. It's gotten a lot more dilapidated since I left but you can still identify it by the yellow door. None of the other houses have yellow doors so it should be fairly easy to locate. I suppose you meant to go with whoever your associate is to my house in four nights, if you deem the attack possible anyway. I was just wondering, if maybe I could come with you? You are right that I'm not a master of the whip but I picked up some skills in Avanthal and Eloab that could help if you get injured." Jax didn't expect an answer but she also waited in case Bitzer had one. She hadn't gotten to know the warrior that well after all.

[Fallon]

Fallon simply looked back, that rock onto her heel as Jax simply looked upon her. She made the gawked expression, surprised almost that her conditions had been laid down so neatly - all with a logic that seemed incapable of being argued with. There was a small snort, her brow raising as she gave the woman a glance up and down, her hand resting upon the pommel of her blade - ready almost for something unexpected to happen. The words flittered and passed on by, stored and then were tucked away safely. She knew the location now, and that was a help in itself - the closeness gave her some sense of distance in which to work from and meant if everything turned sour there would be a quick way out. Lips pursed into a line, a slow narrow consideration. Her nostrils gave a flare, and the lips finally curled round into little more than a smile.

"Good, I shall find it and check it," She gave a nod and turned her attention forward once more, the small cogs working and turning away as she begun to plan things out, "Very well, I shall take it on. And you may come and view - though understand that I cannot guarantee your safety if you do decide to approach and join me on such a job." There was a nonchalant shrug, the step away as she moved once more onwards, even at the slow and steadier pace, "Night fall on the sixth. Wait at the edge of the Quarters, I will come. In time. And when it is time we shall make a move. Just... be patient. Keep the focus but do not race to the prize without knowing the plan. Which... there will be one when the time comes."

There was no stopping in her steps now, her gaze returning forward as she sounded off into the night. She had things to, plans to create, schemes to make and a group of slavers to undermine - and she was going to enjoy every single minute of it. She had the net after all, all that was left was line it up and bring it snagging in around the prey. And she knew just who she would ask to help her with it.