Intentions

[Rip]

Tai Archer sat at the bar and slid his fingertip around the rim of a beer glass. Sweat dribbled down onto the counter and soaked into the gritty wood. Tai watched the grains with unfocused eyes until the planks of wood told weird stories.

The bell went off, a little chime with a dog symbol atop it, and he guessed at least 30 people walked around in the tavern now. It must’ve been around 5, or maybe 6, o’clock. The Dog’s best business usually came around drinking time. Best entertainment, too.

Amongst the burly men and soldiers, Tai looked out of place. He was a slender, lithe looking boy with a secret smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He wasn’t even grinning (he was actually tying to look placid), but the potential for a smirk was always there. His tail, that of a brown monkey, swayed just above the floor. Now and then, it curled around the stool’s legs, or felt over the knife and pouches at his waist.

Not much light spilled in from the windows. He looked back at the men and women sitting around tables or in corners, and saw clouds creeping beyond the dirty class. Rain soon, then. More entertainment coming. He wondered how much money he’d walk away with tonight.

[Kaylii]

Apparently there was supposed to be good business in this little pub. Lots of people with nasty little jobs and little duties that they couldn't get their own little hands dirty with. Apparently there was a lot of gold that could come someone's way if they were willing to take care of these little tasks. Even some with their own ships who needed more crew members. It was the perfect little place for someone who needed money and a ship to travel. Apparently it was the best spot for this pirate to look.

And apparently it was impossible to find.

Artemis cursed at the branch that nearly swiped her in the face as she slid down the path, ducking just in time. She was already partially annoyed that she actually had to walk to this place in the middle of nowhere for a job, let alone having to get lost in order to do so. The dying sun was setting and the air was beginning to thicken. If it actually rained on her she was going to have a raging fit in the middle of the woods.

Then light whispered between trees. Bright silver violet eyes widened and she quickened her pace. It didn't take long before the frown turned into a smirk, replacing all bitterness into confidence and poised. Fingers swept through the short spikey strands of violet hair then swept down the white puffed garment underneath her corset. She then better positioned her chest and breasts before walking in.

There was some potential... She could give it that. There was obviously a few dubious groups who were looking for some customers, but the wench was picky with her work. They never chose her. No, it just didn't happen darling. Pursing her lips, she headed towards the bar counter, ordering herself a whiskey while scanning around.

Then she saw the most odd looking thing. A boy? He was puny compared to the rest of the men, and...is that a tail? Artemis tilted her head to the right, watching it sway before clinging to one of the chair legs, fascination taking over. He wasn't one looking for job.. no. He looked clean compared to some of the people in here, and he was too little to actually do phsyical work. She had yet to see his face but had her mind set. He was looking for some misfits, and she was going to find out what for.

Taking her glass, the woman headed for the man, taking her time as she watched the other people in the bar. A few did glance towards her. It sometimes was a little hard not to. Being tall and as curvacious as her always did make people turn heads.

"Lonely love?" She smiled down at him as she got to the table, clunking the whiskey on the table, grabbing a stool and sat down. One violet booted leg swung over the other before settling her arms on the table, her eyes never looking away from her potential boss.
"What's a nice lookin' lad like yerself doin' in this damp place eh?"

[Rip]

The Black Dog changed a little bit in the couple of years since Tai’s last visitation. Angry men reeking of booze always hulked under the roof of course, but the new assortment of costumers threw the boy for a loop. Case in point, he used to have a hell of a time lifting from these people. The booze hounds were dangerous, the travelers experienced, and the merchants wiser. They held their ground. In the few times he dared to try his luck, they caught him more often than not, and beat him senseless just as frequent. Once or twice the blows never stopped, and he tasted what death must be like.

He was wiser himself, now better at his ‘trade’ than the bumbling boy who trembled while reaching into the back pockets of distracted women. But, that wasn’t the only reason this place was so different.

Tai saw all around him without looking at anything in particular. From the corner of his eye, he saw a family dressed in cloaks and bundled in pouches. He saw a merchant unguarded, eyeing a table of rough-going men and inching against the wall. He saw green horn explorers and fresh witches that didn’t even cover their scent. He saw refugees and wannabe trail blazers. Things were changing.

Or maybe the Dog wasn’t softer at all. Maybe he’d just graduated past the lowest rank possible. He didn’t know. He tugged the red bandana around his neck until it felt looser on his throat.

Lonely, love?

The boy with the monkey tail glanced over and found quite the curvy lady gracing him with her presence. He quirked an eyebrow and smiled, and what a charming, toothy smile he had.

“Me? Just enjoying the company of my fellow misfits,” he said. “They’ve got all the best stories to tell.”

Tai would’ve asked her game, but he figured he already knew that. Still , he didn’t say anything about it. This might be fun.

“I’ll buy you a drink if tell me the most interesting thing that’s ever happened to you.” Tai continued with a grin. “Whaddya say, sweetheart?”

[Kaylii]

My, he certainly did look young didn't he? Artemis turned her head to the side a little, debating within herself. Could someone this young really have the kind of money she looked for when it came to jobs? It was odd to be sure. He looked like he took care of himself well enough. The idea of working with someone younger than her didn't bother the wench. She'd been with men who hadn't even reached the big two-oh, but she knew that wasn't the same deal here. Just...what sort of work did this kid do.

If anything, he gave a darling little smile to her. She greeted it back by showing a flash of teeth, fingers pulling the strands of hair on her right side to let her other eye have a better view. What he said was true. Some of the misfits in here could have the best stories to tell. But it certainly wasn't fitting why he was here. He wouldn't be alone if that were that the case.

......Sweetheart?

"Ho-oh." Artemis said, grabbing her glass and gulping down a large intake of whiskey, shaking her shoulders as the burn hit her throat. "I think a better question is love, what interesting story are you in for? All of them are the best." She leaned in a little, cupping a palm under chin.

"So tell me, are you more into the dragon setting or haunted tales of sea witches? Or perhaps a good intimate scene fits your scene." She leaned back, flicking her head so her hair laid back over the side or her face, looking smug.

"Take your pick sweetheart. I got more interesting brawl battles than any life stories the rest of these little rogues can fit into their world."