Seeking the final member of her crew, Lilly decides to pay a visit to an old friend. Entering the inn, she walks to the bar, orders a drink, and asks the bartender how the crowd is today.
"Hey Lil. Nothing unusual aside from couple new faces. In particular, that one over near the door" he points towards a well built male individual.“Doesnt talk much but has kept the attention of the barmaids since he got here. He might look like pretty, but trust me, he's tough."
Falyn is in the middle of enjoying a very relaxed morning in the inn. Reclined in his chair he gazes lazily around and smiles at anyone that catches his eye or his fancy.
Turning to eye the man near the door Lilly smiles, “Just what I was looking for.” she strolls up to him boldly, “Hello, might I buy you a drink and steal your ear for a second?”
Slightly surprised at the woman's forthrightness, Falyn is momentarily taken aback. "Certainly, but you'll have to give it back when you're done. I only have two and I'm rather attached to them."
“Oh, I promise that I’ll return you in mostly the same condition that I got you in,” giving a playful wink she walks with him over to a table and orders them some drinks. “So, might I ask what brings you to the city?
"It's a lot warmer than the side of the road," he responds with a smile, "And the company's better."
“I do agree that the company has definitely improved since I walked in here,” she smiles, “So, you’re here alone?”
"You're rather bold, do you treat all strangers this way?"
“Only when they look as good as you, maybe?” She grins, “I’m a woman who knows what she likes and goes for it. And you are not only what I like but what I need. That is, if you’re interested?”
"My, my, cutting straight to the chase," says Falyn, an amused expression on his face, "And what makes you think I would be interested?"
“Well, for one the company would include me which you already said was good. The other would include a bit of gold to line your pockets.”
"A bit of gold to line my pockets?" he feigns a hurt expression, "You don't think I'm in that sort of profession do you?
“Oh no, honey. I never pay for that and I think we can both agree that neither would need to pay?” she arches a brow “I’m talking more about putting that muscle of yours to work with a bit of adventuring.”
"Well, before we get to that, I think I'd like to see you put to work, particularily your hands." Falyn pauses a long moment before adding, "That instrument on your back, can you play it?"
”Lucky for you I’m skilled at both,” she winks but pulls out her instrument and begins to play a song. Simple but pleasant to the ear.
Falyn's eyes grow far off as he listens to the music, a small, genuine smile forming on his lips. When it's finished, he looks back over at the bard, "Very well, you have my attention."
“Glad to have,” she places the instrument away. “I need some muscle to get a job done. It pays 10 gold and then you keep what loot you get along the way. What do you say?” She begins to explain the job to Falyn, stopping occasionally to answer his questions.
“There will be six of us,” she says, “It’s a simple job and we get all the loot, plus there is supposed to be a bonus 100 when we get to our destination. “
"That's a lot of people for a simple job. Have you seen what it looks like out there? If I'm going to risk my neck, I'm going to take a job that pays more than that."
“For you, because I think you’re so cute I’ll give you my 15 gold pieces. So, that gives you 35 gold pieces. More than anyone else in the party.”
Falyn thinks about it for a moment then says, "Okay, I'll tell you what. If any action happens I'll be the guy in the front, so the biggest danger is to me. If you give me the 35 gold to start, and 120 gold on completion, I'm in."
“I don’t handle the final price. It’s 100 gold at the end, you’d have to talk to the merchant about that. All I handle is the upfront payment. So, you in for 35?”
Falyn laughed, "You're quite the negotiator aren't you. It would seem you have a talent for many things indeed. But do not try to take me in on this. I may be new to this city, but I'm not new to escorting. A merchant doesn't unload his gold on guards unless he plans on being attacked- and he did unload gold. You wouldn't be throwing around money on drinks like the way you are if he hadn't. You'd be taking in the cheapest rabble you could find off the streets. Are you going to stand in front and take the hits with that pretty face of yours? I'm not asking for something outrageous, I'm asking for fair pay. When we get the reward at the end you can take 20 off your 100 and give it to me. I've got a feeling that a clever girl like you will still be making far more than me off this job."
“I could, but I don’t have to, just as I don’t have to hire you. I gave you the offer that we were given and the terms as such. Already sharing my cut with you, so sharing even more is a bit much for me. Like I said you can ask the merchant for more, though I plan to make twice that along the way by snatching up the goods as they fall,” she stands and gives a short bow and a wink. “You can sit here and wait for a better deal, though in this city in these times you would be hard pressed to do so. If you change your mind, we'll be here at 10 sharp tomorrow morning. Big guy like you sure could be useful in helping little old me carry all that loot. But, I suppose if you rather not I’ll just make do without you,” she blows him a kiss and begins to leave.
"Hold on, hold on," Falyn says, waving her back. "Twice that amount in loot along the way, that's a pretty hefty claim." "If you speak the truth, then that's quite a bit to pass up on."
“Well, I know my skill set and I know what to take that’s worth a damn,” she remarked. “I mean let’s say someone sends some goons off to kill our client but we get them first. Their payment is our payment, along with their gear and everything else valuable. So, it would stand to reason that by the end of this we would and could make twice what he was paying us.”
"Another team sent to kill us, the stakes keep getting higher," says Falyn, "Alright, are you prepared to put your money where your mouth is?"
“I’ve put many things where my mouth is and have yet to disappoint. But what are you getting at? You’re cute and all but this back and forth game is not ending in either of the ways that I would have preferred.”
"Alright, how about this. If half of what you say is true and I make 100 gold in gear or coin by the end, then we'll call it even at 35 gold now, 100 at the end. Hell, I'll buy you drinks on top of that." "But, if we make less than that, you give me the 20 from your share at the end." "Think about it," Falyn said with a wink of his own, "If you're really as confident as you sound you could be walking out of this very, very rich."
“I’ll agree but I want something more should I prove to correct...”
"More than drinks with a 'cute' fellow like me?"
“I want your pants too,” she grinned. “What do you say?”
Falyn spills his drink and howls with laughter, "I'll toast to that."
“Make sure you get those pants and that butt to the inn by the morning? Or we’ll leave you and you won’t get to see what I had planned for you out of your pants,” she winks again and takes her leave.
Falyn leans back in his chair and takes a deep breath. It looked like things were finally turning around for him. Placing his cup on the bartenders counter, he leaves to prepare his gear.
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