((Several Months Later))
“R'elend, I know you're frustrated, but it's not Captain Tataran's fault. You're just too stupid to make sense of her ideas.â€
R’elend spins, anger in his eyes, “This isn’t a fucking joke, Sasafaru.†The Miqo’te pauses for a moment, looking up and down the crowded barracks hallway for passersby. His voice lowers to a gravely whisper, “What kind of Blades don’t take bribes? How the fuck does that make sense?â€
“Politics, you idiotic cat.†The Lalafell punches him in the thigh, “Could you for just once in your life, just once R’elend, use that ugly head of yours. This city is even more dangerous than that hellhole we left, and unlike there, a sword isn’t enough to keep you safe.â€
R’elend grumbles and rubs his leg, already plotting out a way to pay Sasafaru back, “Aye, she said that. Though I don’t see how shaking down a few merchants would hurt anything.â€
“Because this isn’t the desert you pissant!†Sasafaru’s voice rises in frustration, “I’m not sure how to drive that into that skull of yours. That merchant has friends, and those friends have bigger friends. Whoever we take from, that puts us on a side. Lolorito is already consolidating his power, furrball. You’d be an idiot if you did something to end up on the wrong side.†The Lalafell groans, “Never thought I’d wish for the Sultana to hurry up and get her royal ass out of sickbed.â€
The Miqo’te nods for a moment, “Thougha… Captain doesn’t seem too be pleased to be on his side either.†He sighs and rubs his head, “Twelve, but I thought duty in the city would be simple. Didn’t realize I would have to play fucking politics.â€
Sasafaru laughs, “Better this than dodging Beastman lances though, and at least we can still seize funds from criminals.â€
“Hmm… I wonder.†R’elend scratches his back for a moment, and once again the tempting idea of transferring companies came to mind unbidden. The Tulip, and the Oleander were both looking for recruits, and neither had any issue with either taking bribes, or sticking fast to Lord Lolorito. They, unlike their captain, knew not to bite the hand that fed them. He turned over the idea in his mind, and like every time, rejected it. Captain Tataran had promised shelter, to conceal Sasafaru’s true origin, treating him as just another Lieutenant. They couldn’t take the risk that another captain would be less accommodating. Finally he sighs, “Remind me again why I put up with you Sasafaru?â€
The Lalafell coughs and leans against the wall, “Probably my dashing good looks and legendary prowess in ba-waahghgh†His voice cuts out as R’elend kicks out his foot, sending him tumbling to the ground.
R’elend laughs and walks off, “That’s for punching me, you little shite.â€
Sasafaru hops to his feet, chasing after the Miqo’te, already plotting ways to pay the Miqo’te back.
“R'elend, I know you're frustrated, but it's not Captain Tataran's fault. You're just too stupid to make sense of her ideas.â€
R’elend spins, anger in his eyes, “This isn’t a fucking joke, Sasafaru.†The Miqo’te pauses for a moment, looking up and down the crowded barracks hallway for passersby. His voice lowers to a gravely whisper, “What kind of Blades don’t take bribes? How the fuck does that make sense?â€
“Politics, you idiotic cat.†The Lalafell punches him in the thigh, “Could you for just once in your life, just once R’elend, use that ugly head of yours. This city is even more dangerous than that hellhole we left, and unlike there, a sword isn’t enough to keep you safe.â€
R’elend grumbles and rubs his leg, already plotting out a way to pay Sasafaru back, “Aye, she said that. Though I don’t see how shaking down a few merchants would hurt anything.â€
“Because this isn’t the desert you pissant!†Sasafaru’s voice rises in frustration, “I’m not sure how to drive that into that skull of yours. That merchant has friends, and those friends have bigger friends. Whoever we take from, that puts us on a side. Lolorito is already consolidating his power, furrball. You’d be an idiot if you did something to end up on the wrong side.†The Lalafell groans, “Never thought I’d wish for the Sultana to hurry up and get her royal ass out of sickbed.â€
The Miqo’te nods for a moment, “Thougha… Captain doesn’t seem too be pleased to be on his side either.†He sighs and rubs his head, “Twelve, but I thought duty in the city would be simple. Didn’t realize I would have to play fucking politics.â€
Sasafaru laughs, “Better this than dodging Beastman lances though, and at least we can still seize funds from criminals.â€
“Hmm… I wonder.†R’elend scratches his back for a moment, and once again the tempting idea of transferring companies came to mind unbidden. The Tulip, and the Oleander were both looking for recruits, and neither had any issue with either taking bribes, or sticking fast to Lord Lolorito. They, unlike their captain, knew not to bite the hand that fed them. He turned over the idea in his mind, and like every time, rejected it. Captain Tataran had promised shelter, to conceal Sasafaru’s true origin, treating him as just another Lieutenant. They couldn’t take the risk that another captain would be less accommodating. Finally he sighs, “Remind me again why I put up with you Sasafaru?â€
The Lalafell coughs and leans against the wall, “Probably my dashing good looks and legendary prowess in ba-waahghgh†His voice cuts out as R’elend kicks out his foot, sending him tumbling to the ground.
R’elend laughs and walks off, “That’s for punching me, you little shite.â€
Sasafaru hops to his feet, chasing after the Miqo’te, already plotting ways to pay the Miqo’te back.
