Changing of the Guard - [Open RP/Story]

[Melodia]

*Please feel free to jump in if you want, and if not will keep this in a journal format. Though...engagement would be awesome.  Continued from Post #355 on the Balmung Bulletin Board

 

The walkways and wooden bridges of Limsa appealed to him as he strode confidently about the city. His men had collected and organized his cargo and gear in a piss poor room not worthy of his coin in the Drowning Wench, but it'd have to do considering he hadn't yet had the time to secure proper quarters. But that would come in time.

 

And in time, the gray-haired Hyur known to his men only as Edmond, would run this city. He only needed to get a handhold and the rest would fall into place.

 

Edmond's footsteps were light, almost too light, as he strode across the Aftcastle area of Limsa, basking in the warm sunlight from above and taking in the surrounding sea air. His garb was one that spoke of wealth and his smile was one of confidence, and as he crossed the short wooden walkway and opened the door to the Missing Member, he took in the waft of air that reeked of alcohol, grime and the criminal element.

 

All welcome in his book. The pirates, thieves and killers in Limsa were who he related to and none were worse than where he'd been before.....

 

He pushed the memories away and took a seat at the bar, grinning at the barkeep, a young woman obviosuly tougher than one might assume, given her position. Pulling a sizeable pile of coin from a small bag in his jacket, he laid them on the bar and giving her a look as if he were a regular, he casually stated, "All right darling, put this in your pocket and keep it. Just set me up a tab and keep the booze flowing tonight. I'll settle up at the end of the night." Leaning back he scanned the room, taking in the faces.

 

And with a satisfied smile, Edmond thought to himself, "Let the games begin."

[Steel Wolf]

Steel rolled her shoulder, wincing at the weight of her axe upon it. She didn't like having to sit at a table with the great bloody thing lashed to her back, but years growing up in the thalassocracy taught her the value of having arms in easy view...and not leaving said arms within a stranger's reach.

 

Still, the scotch that sat in her glass was helping the ache. She sighed through her nose as a cube of ice clattered to the bottom of the glass under its own melt. She took up the scotch and gave a light sip, coating her mouth in smoky honey.

 

As she lowered the glass, she noticed him. Another strange face--not unusual in the Limsa, all things considered. Still, this one stood out. He carried himself with the confidence of someone who was well-travelled instead of the weight of a day's work on the docks or the glowing eagerness of a fresh adventurer. No...no, this one arrived like he had been here before. Or that he owned the place.

 

Which would probably end with him bleeding out on one of the many ramps that wrapped around the city, or otherwise providing food to the creatures of the sea.

 

The sensation of owning the place was further enhanced when the man dug out a fair stack of coin to open up a tab. Yep. Definitely a big man on campus. There would be no end of people to test his mettle.

 

She gave the man a firm nod and raised her scotch glass to him as he scanned the room. First rule to anyone who coasted in like that was to acknowledge their arrival. Most pirates strode in the bar like that, with a lot more loud braggadocio. This one was the silent sort. A tactical mind, likely.

 

Might be in her interests to speak with someone with that much coin. He could use a tower of power. She could use some of that coin. Perhaps.

[Melodia]

Edmond saw the Roe raise her glass and he nodded. Without missing a beat he said aloud, "Your glass looks empty, love. Perhaps I can buy you another?" He waited for no reply, turning to the barkeep and in the same cool and non-hushed tone, "Give the lady there another of whatever she's having. Make it a double." He tossed the Roe a wink as he said it and then continued. "And wine for me. Only the best you've got now, hun. None of the cheap stuff."

[Steel Wolf]

Definitely big man on campus. But the coin was good, and the scotch was too, so she wasn't one to turn down a free refill.

 

She hauled herself up from the table she sat, doubling herself in size as she did so. It was difficult to not look half-awkward, half-threatening when she did that, but hopefully she gave off a reasonably competent impression in the move. She lightly picked up her scotch glass and headed to the bar edge, placing it within easy reach of the barkeep.

 

"My thanks, friend." ,she said with a warm smile. "Yer a new face to this area, I reckon. Welcome to Limsa. Passin' through, or ye've other business?"

[Melodia]

As the large woman approached and set her glass on the bar, he glanced at her and smiled. "Smart woman to accept a refill. You look like you can handle yourself." He gestured to the axe on her back. As his wine was brought to him he nodded to the woman behind the bar, taking in the scent of the wine before taking a sip. His hand cradled the bowl of the glass and his other hand drummed fingertips across the smooth bar surface.

 

"As to your question, other business. I'm a purveyor of favors and contracts if you will. And it seems like this is the perfect city to sell my particular talents."

[Steel Wolf]

Steel kept the smile upon her lips, nodding in acknowledgement of the refilled scotch glass. She took a slow sip as she studied the man carefully.

 

This one was dangerous. He was decisive. Bold. Unwavering. And he'd been through enough seasons despite all of these qualities. She tried to be as impassive as possible, but she had a feeling he was thinking at least five steps forward. So, too, would she.

 

It was a refreshing change from the snarling cutthroats she was used to seeing, at least. She always enjoyed the ones who carried themselves with a bit more class.

 

"Mmh. Well, I'm sure you'll find no shortage of takers for yer services." ,she replied. "Also plenty of others offerin' th'same thing. You've no connections here, you might have a bit of an uphill climb....but somehow I suspect that you're not averse t'somethin' like that." Her smile broadened. One compliment paid to her deserved a repayment in turn.

[Melodia]

With a soft, almost inaudible chuckle, Edmond turned to face the woman and the confident grin on his face was only broken as he took another sip of his wine.

 

"Ah my dear, there's no hill that's impossible to overtake, except the one you fail to try." He made "tsk" sound and set the glass down. "I heard that somewhere once, but for the life of me can't recall where."  He gestured to the seat next to him. "Please join me. I'd be interested in hearing about any potential clients or rivals I might have in the fair city."

 

His voice was smoothe, and he had not a drop of nerves present as he spoke. In fact, when mentioning the word 'rivals' he added an almost sense of wonderment to his statement, like a child awaiting the unwrapping of a long-awaited present.

[Steel Wolf]

Steel nodded her thanks as she took the offered stool beside the man, making herself as comfortable as one could do in leather and plate. She took another sip of her scotch before responding to the man's query.

 

"Well, first place most think t'look for open work is the Drowning Wench, 'course. Adventurer's Guild has no shortage of leves or odd jobs and plenty'a sellswords lookin' to pad their purses.

 

"If yer eyes are on more...unscrupulous folk, yer first visit oughta be nearbouts the Fisherman's Guild. Also plenty'a random blades wander the space near Naldiq and Vermelli's. Twelve know I've seen people carryin' close conversations, hidin' their speech under the clangor of the anvil an' bellows."

[Melodia]

Edmond took another sip of his wine, gasping loudly, an affected exaggeration as he set the glass down and considered her information. He turned his head and looked at her with a grin that hid more than revealed about him.

 

"Sounds about right, though I do find the Wench to be a bit amatuer hour. I'm more interested the ones under the surface. The ones you can't see out in the open. Tell me, love...what are you interested in? Surely you have something or someone you can't get to."

[Steel Wolf]

She smirked at his question. She wasn't particularly deep in the places he had mentioned, but she also wasn't in a position to believe that she couldn't get what she wanted.

 

"I'm not one fer bein' surreptitious, friend. I want somethin', I usually go for it." She offered him a wink and took another sip of the honeyed scotch. "'Sides, woman my stature? I usually get what I'm wantin' without too much effort." She lightly tapped at the pommel at the bottom of her axe's haft. "'An I got this as a negotiator if I'm needin' to."

[Melodia]

He folded his hand gracefully, looked at the Roe and nodded acknowledgment at her display.

 

"You are indeed an impressive specimen, and I'm certain you have no problems getting what you want." He chuckled. "Tell me...do you have any idea how hard it is for a man in my position to make any headway?" He shook his head with a playfully happy laugh. Taking his glass up and sipping it, he set it down again and smirked.

 

"Tell me, my dear....do you know who holds power here in this city? And I don't mean the buffoon who claims to be an admiral. I mean the real power brokers in this town. The ones in the shadows who make this city what it is. That's who I need to meet....the real hill, if you will."

[Steel Wolf]

Steel shrugged. "I'm not entirely privy t'who pulls the more enjoyable strings." She had kept herself out of the mire of Lominsa's underbelly, but she also wasn't blind to its existence.

 

"That said...I hear tell'a some sorta 'Rogue's Guild' formin' up near th'ferry to the Mist. Now, if yer guildin' up, I can only assume you're probably the biggest collection. And led, too, seein' as you've got a headquarters. Odd thing is they're operatin' plain as y'please. No visible uniform, but plenty of folks entering and leavin' the guild's doors."

 

She took another sip of her scotch, finishing off her drink with the pull. She shrugged again as she clapped the glass on to the bartop.

 

"Best I got. Sorry, friend."

[Melodia]

Edmond laughed aloud and nodded before clapping a hand on the Roe's shoulder.

 

"Quite right, and thank you for letting me know." He took a final drink of his wine sliding it away slowly toward the barkeep with a gesture asking for another. He looked to the woman and smiled thoughtfully.

 

"But you know....it's window dressing. All of it. The Guild, the pirates and the Jackets, even the damned Maelstrom. These are all just window dressing to give the people of Limsa a sense of order." He tapped the bar with his index finger. 

 

"Even if that sense of order is based around crime and an ominpresent sense of danger."

 

He sighed and as his refilled wine glass reappeared courtesy of the barkeep, he drank and then looked at the Roe again. 

 

"No, the real power hides in plain sight and yet works behind the scenes, tying together critical relationships, eliminating potential threats and strengthening their base. Meanwhile they smile and wave to the citizens who often will pass right by them because they don't look the part. Because those folks don't appear as the citizens have been conditioned to expect them to appear."

 

Another drink, though he scowled a bit.

 

"But pardon me...I'm rambling now."

[Steel Wolf]

Steel smiled. "Y'speak true. I'm perhaps ignorant t'those machinations, but I'm also not entirely blind to think they don't operate. Like an ichor beneath th'surface of the skin. If you do enough pokin' about, yer sure to find something like what you're lookin' for. Or they'll find you."

 

She slid the empty glass towards the bartender, indicating a refill. Her eyes locked on to the man's, her smile fading only slightly as she began to talk business.

 

"If yer thinkin' about scrapin' the bilge deck of this city, y'might want someone to back ye up. Now, yer obviously familiar with what you're doin', and you're a man who knows how t'take care'a himself, that much is clear. But even you'd have to see th'value of having someone shadowin' you in case things get sour. An' it just so happens that I've got no other obligations today."

[Melodia]

Edmond chuckled again, as if remembering an old joke as he tilted his glass to the Roe.

 

"You're asking for a job. You should just ask, dear. The worst I can say is no."

 

He paused and looked her over and nodded. "I can always use a good set of eyes and axe in my employ. I may ask you to be on call if I need you. And of course I'd pay for your time." He pulled out a stack of coin and slid it to her almost non-chalantly. "Take it....it's yours. I'll be in touch when I need you."

[Steel Wolf]

Steel chuckled at the man, taking the freshly refilled scotch glass.

 

"What, I can't enjoy a bit of conversation before talkin' business?" She looked down at the small stack of coin slid towards her. She bowed politely as she took the offered pile.

 

"I'm at yer service whenever you've need, friend. Just ask for Steel Wolf and she'll have her axe at the ready."

 

She raised the glass to him in a toast before speaking once more. "Take care'a yourself out there, stranger. If yer up to what one suspects, you'll have all sorts of attention in short order, I'd wager."

[Melodia]

Edmond toasted his glass back to her and smirked. His eyes were narroed as if he were remembering something important from a long time ago.

 

"Attention my dear, is exactly what I am looking for. Now....it's high time I stepped out. I've plans to make and lives to disrupt. It's just a matter of the order in which those are done that really matters."

 

Stepping up he bowed slightly with a friendly smile and as he exited the Missing Member, two others, an older man and  a young woman who'd been at separate tables seemingly minding their own business rose and followed him out in tow.