“I wish to hire you, Madoc.â€
The au ra across the table quirked a brow, meeting the masked man's determined gaze. Warm shadows cast from a nearby fireplace, forming harsh lines across the xaela’s scarred features. He slowly lowered his tankard. “...Oh, aye?†The corner of his lips twitched with some amount of amusement, and he leaned in his chair to drape an arm over the back. “Straight to the point, I like that. What for? Judgin’ by the sword, I’d say you need help cuttin’ somethin’ up.â€
“No, nothing like that. I just…need you to keep an eye on something for me. Someone.â€
“Ain’t much of a spy.†The au ra eyed the man, not even bothering to hide his suspicion. “Subtlety’s not my thing.â€
“N...not spying.†Ruran shook his head with a grimace. It was spying, he knew it, though it was justified, at least in his mind. “…I just…can’t be in La Noscea as much as I prefer, and I need to know if…if they’re all right.â€
“Gonna have to be more specific, can’t be lookin’ out for every ‘they’ out there.â€
The knight’s hands curled into soft fists on his knees as he looked away from the au ra’s piercing dark gaze. A reluctant moment passed, until Ruran finally spoke, his voice quiet. “…The Rinannis estate. Lily Rinannis, and her children.â€
A sly smirk crept its way to Madoc’s lips as he studied the pale knight. His barbed tail clacked against the wooden floor in a single whump, keeping his nonchalant air as he spoke. “Aye, I see. I know the place. And what do I do if I see somethin’? Got a way to reach you?â€
Ruran was already reaching into his satchel to retrieve three items: a piece of folded paper, a linkpearl, and a small coin purse. “At this address,†he pushed the parchment toward the sellsword, followed by the others. “Or the pearl, if an emergency… I have also included payment in advance. I think you'll find it sufficient.â€
“Oh, so prepared,†Madoc grinned, reaching for the paper and reading its contents. “…The Goblet? Been a while since I’ve gone to the mainland. I’ll pay you a visit now and then, keep you in the know and pick up my coin. Aye?â€
“Please.â€
“So it’s settled, then.†The linkpearl, paper, and purse—which warranted a little toss and a small whistle—were pocketed. “Good to be doin’ business with you, Alabaster.â€
“… Alabaster?â€
"Aye." Madoc tapped his face, indicative of the mask of Ruran’s own. “Don’t like it?â€
“No, it’s…it’s fine. Thank you, Madoc…†Ruran picked himself up, offering a low bow of his head to the warrior xaela. His shoulders had been perpetually tense throughout their meeting.
Madoc smirked at the formality and offered a small, simple wave of farewell before returning to his drink and laughing with the table next to him. As if they had never spoken.
The au ra across the table quirked a brow, meeting the masked man's determined gaze. Warm shadows cast from a nearby fireplace, forming harsh lines across the xaela’s scarred features. He slowly lowered his tankard. “...Oh, aye?†The corner of his lips twitched with some amount of amusement, and he leaned in his chair to drape an arm over the back. “Straight to the point, I like that. What for? Judgin’ by the sword, I’d say you need help cuttin’ somethin’ up.â€
“No, nothing like that. I just…need you to keep an eye on something for me. Someone.â€
“Ain’t much of a spy.†The au ra eyed the man, not even bothering to hide his suspicion. “Subtlety’s not my thing.â€
“N...not spying.†Ruran shook his head with a grimace. It was spying, he knew it, though it was justified, at least in his mind. “…I just…can’t be in La Noscea as much as I prefer, and I need to know if…if they’re all right.â€
“Gonna have to be more specific, can’t be lookin’ out for every ‘they’ out there.â€
The knight’s hands curled into soft fists on his knees as he looked away from the au ra’s piercing dark gaze. A reluctant moment passed, until Ruran finally spoke, his voice quiet. “…The Rinannis estate. Lily Rinannis, and her children.â€
A sly smirk crept its way to Madoc’s lips as he studied the pale knight. His barbed tail clacked against the wooden floor in a single whump, keeping his nonchalant air as he spoke. “Aye, I see. I know the place. And what do I do if I see somethin’? Got a way to reach you?â€
Ruran was already reaching into his satchel to retrieve three items: a piece of folded paper, a linkpearl, and a small coin purse. “At this address,†he pushed the parchment toward the sellsword, followed by the others. “Or the pearl, if an emergency… I have also included payment in advance. I think you'll find it sufficient.â€
“Oh, so prepared,†Madoc grinned, reaching for the paper and reading its contents. “…The Goblet? Been a while since I’ve gone to the mainland. I’ll pay you a visit now and then, keep you in the know and pick up my coin. Aye?â€
“Please.â€
“So it’s settled, then.†The linkpearl, paper, and purse—which warranted a little toss and a small whistle—were pocketed. “Good to be doin’ business with you, Alabaster.â€
“… Alabaster?â€
"Aye." Madoc tapped his face, indicative of the mask of Ruran’s own. “Don’t like it?â€
“No, it’s…it’s fine. Thank you, Madoc…†Ruran picked himself up, offering a low bow of his head to the warrior xaela. His shoulders had been perpetually tense throughout their meeting.
Madoc smirked at the formality and offered a small, simple wave of farewell before returning to his drink and laughing with the table next to him. As if they had never spoken.
