>>46843779

The wash of waves slam against the supports of the pier in the distance, the hustle and bustle of the city of Cleptess carries on. Sailor and merchant's wives go down to market to purchase fresh fish and vegetables for an evening dinner when their husbands return home. Pickpockets and Cutpurses roam between the stalls with hoods to hide their sinister Drezhar features. Their finds likely going down to the city beneath the city, Septic, where strange and unusual things are like to occur.

Sol shines down, giving everyone a brilliant day, yet a scummy overcast sheds the city in an almost befouled light as corruption and greed run all the way down to the Cleptess's roots.

As your party wandered the streets upon the back of the Dire Wolf, a man looking for your noble entourage took notice and followed after as you made your way into a tavern. The waxed sign would still bear the crust of old salt locked deep within the wood, but the text would remain clear, “The Merry Sailor's Widow.”

With a smile, you took a lone man striding for the tavern aside. A regular drunk with no doubt out to start his drinking a touch early in the day. Slipping a few topaz gems and a word that they truly must be old friends, the aspiring drunk slapped this stranger upon the back and hung an arm over his shoulder as they strode inside.

Taking up a table separated by only one other from the targets he would spy on, he relaxed into his seat and called for a round for old friends. Now and then, he'd peer his green eyes over at the Redheaded Namour, White-haired Makoh, and Bookish Stella “lad” with glasses that only one of high esteem could afford in such good condition.

>>46843810

With her posture tensing he guesses well that the Makoh must have noticed him. Those zealous fighters are typically keen about their surroundings after all.. A short time later as he's joking with his “Friend,” the redhead meets his eyes with illustrious silver ones of her own. His heart stops for a moment as his eyes widen in a moment of surprise. Those eyes...

>https://youtu.be/DEeAN471boQ?t=12m19s
>...

You stiffen as you make eye contact with the man from afar. Though he wears a cowl and carries himself happily despite the less than luxurious setting, the diamonds in his green eyes are unmistakable as a Hylon. Yet, what would a Hylon be doing here? And why would they follow? Your eyes shift to Victoria as she tries to drink her beverage, face going red and lips trembling from the foul taste.

Reaching out, you touch the mug and lower it from her lips with a caring grin, “Woah there, you don't need to be so eager. We can order you squeezed juice instead.”

Victoria's cheeks go red.

Odette chuckles stiffly, the stranger's presence still perturbing her, “She insisted on having what we're having.”

“I don't understand why anyone drinks this foul beverage. I'd associate the words rancid from that experience. Is this what fermented tends to mean? They truly allow this to stew in barrels for months on end? Have they no clue how awful this is? Here I was upset that father never allowed me wine at the table...” Victoria carries on rambling while you look into Odette's eyes.

“Lead him to an isolated area?” She asks.

“We could confront him. He saw me look at him though.”

“Could incite a barfight and slip away in the chaos.”

“Fun, though we could also approach him directly... Or I could ask him to dance?” You smile innocently, showing your bright teeth.

>>46843828

>[Leave the tavern and lead the man to an alley for ambush.]
>[Incite a barfight and slip away in the chaos.]
>[Ask the bard to play a song and get everyone dancing, greet the man as a partner.]
>[Confront the man directly.]
>[Do nothing...]
>[Write in.]

>>46843846
>[Leave the tavern and lead the man to an alley for ambush.]

>>46843846
>[Ask the bard to play a song and get everyone dancing, greet the man as a partner.]

>>46843846
>[Ask the bard to play a song and get everyone dancing, greet the man as a partner.]
Also tell Victoria to pay attention and try to recognize that guy
90% he's the King of Thieves

>>46843846
>[Incite a barfight and slip away in the chaos.]

>>46843846
>[Ask the bard to play a song and get everyone dancing, greet the man as a partner.]

>>46843846

“Victoria, look to the man that I take to dance, tell me later if you know him.” You say with a fearless grin before rising from your seat.

“Wait.” Odette utters with soft urgency, but you've already sallied up to the bard with your gusto.

Whispering into the man's ear, you ask him to play a song, making sure to lay just enough hot breath upon his ears to feel your closeness. As you part from him, you lock your eyes with him and smile as bright as Sol with your silver heart-eyes enticing him to play something... vigorous.

As you step away, clapping your hands and waiting, he reigns in one other player for a bass string instrument. The two begin to play a vigorous melody as they incite the taverngoers to dance and song.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBATrLRWySg

The Merry Widow becomes alive with music as the goers get up and dance drunkenly and you clap and sashay around them keeping the spirit up and alive. With every movement, you let your heart burst forth in excitement and spread your passion for the dance to everyone in the room. Even Odette stands to show off some of her own moves, seeming to forget her uneasiness toward dance.

The only people unfazed by your passion happen to be Victoria whom sits at the table, examining the phenomenon occurring around her with an intense focus. The other? You swirl around to the Hylon at the table and kick your legs over as you sit just in the way of his drink. “Sitting alone while everyone else dances? You're breaking my heart here.”

“Don't break'er hart you chumbasket!”

“Dans you fool!” Other Goers yell from around the two of you.

>>46844669

was, simply stealing a few glances your way. Who'd know that alone would be enough to take your heart?” His hand slips around yours like a liquid shadow until you feel the firmness of his manly grip. Kicking back his chair and throwing back his cloak to reveal his devilishly strong jaw, rugged stubble upon his cheek, and golden scales that begin right at his color. Long blonde hair tied back into a long tail with bangs parted to frame his face. Closer now, you can tell that his eyes are green as emeralds, with the diamond shape of his pupils embedded deep in their luster.

You feel a part of you taken aback by the man as you're lost in his face, feeling a deep blush overcome you as your heart flutters beside yourself. He senses your disturbance and lays his other hand around your waist. Less a bawdy gesture, and more something you'd consider courtly. He whisks you away as he leads you in the dance.

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGyPuey-1Jw

The world spins as you follow after him, your mutual steps take you atop one of the tables, the pacing of your feet tapping out percussion to the Bard's play as the off-duty sailors watch on, adding in a song to pair with the melody. Between the beats, you spin yourself around so that your back is to him, and his arm his rests over your shoulder. You smell the whiskey on his breath in your nearness and spin around once more, parting until just until your fingers and his hook together. As you both tap out the beat around the perimeter of the table.

>[Take control of the lead and come close to quiz him with a coy demeanor.]
>[Play along with his dance,see how good he is...]
>[Take purposeful steps to cause an “accident.”]
>[Write in.]

>>46844692
>[Play along with his dance,see how good he is...]

>>46844692
>[Play along with his dance,see how good he is...]

>>46844692
>[Take control of the lead and come close to quiz him with a coy demeanor.]

>>46844692
>[Take purposeful steps to cause an “accident.”]

>>46844692
>[Play along with his dance,see how good he is...]

>>46844692
>>46844692
>[Play along with his dance,see how good he is...]

>>46844692

Dismissing your previous objective, you start upping your own movements to see just how well this man can keep up, or how much he may hold you back. Pulling at his fingers, you force yourself and him back together, gracefully twirling past a collision and somewhat pleased that he managed to almost mirror your movement as you let your fingers slip from his and perform a serious of sharp percussive taps in a demanding succession as though to challenge him.

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3YNGMMPG80

The man, realizing that he's been challenged, gives you a devilish smirk as he responds in kind, mirroring your step and adding on a few flourishes of his own as if to say, “Top that.”

This challenge burns bright in your soul as you respond in kind, showing off a few especially hard percussions near the end that ring true throughout the tavern.

Once more, he answers your challenge in quick succession, only this time, he ends with an extended hand as though yo ask for your embrace again.

Taking his hand, you respond his answer as he carries on right along with you. As sweat glistens from his brow, you already know that you'd have him beat in terms of endurance, but you'll have the fun last as long as you can regardless.

Spinning from his grasp again mid-tap, the two of you carry on in concert, vibrating the table with every timely movement. As the two of you carry on, the crowd cheers and joins arm in arm to mirror your dance, infected by your charm.

>>46845529

As the whole of the tavern goes up, he stares into your eyes as he realizes that you're just toying with him. His grin vanishes and he takes the center, booting you off of the crowd's focus for several moments as he executes a series of expertly arranged taps as the bard's music quiets and the crowd is wrapped around his performance now.

After finishing with a flourish you jump back into the center upon the table, and give him a playful push as from the silence you ignite the next part in the order of the dance, enchanting the crowd to mirror your every movement once they've seen it and the whole of the tavern goes up with the chorus of pounding feet.

Once more the Hylon takes your hand as he carries on dancing with his own flourishes, independent of your charm. Allowing the gesture, the two of you carry on to an elegant and proper finish.

By that time, though the man kept up, he's breathing heavily as the rest of the tavern carries on with carousing in high spirits.

The man steps down to a chair from the table still holding your hand, “My lady, you sure know how to move your feet. Here I was enjoying my drink when I and everyone else get caught up in a Namour's throes of passion.”

“You're out of breath? Already?” You smirk as you step down from the table, gracefully landing upon your feet and letting your hand slip from his as you offer a coy grin, “I am surprised you kept up despite the fact.”

“You mean to say that you're surprised a Cleptess gentleman wouldn't know the old River's Dance? It's quite the old classic, I should say that I'm surprised a Namour knew it.” The man brushes off one of his sleeves, parting his lips to show his own white teeth.

“Well, we've surprised each other now, haven't we?”

“Indeed...” The man's eyes close partway as his gaze drifts just below your neck for a moment.

>>46845546

>[“Eyes up. The name's (Fake/Real), and I'm charmed.”]
>[“Stealing another few glances, are we?”]
>[“What were you doing, looking after us?” Bring your arms together to increase the fullness of your bust.]
>[Write In.]

>>46845558
>[“Eyes up. The name's (Fake), and I'm charmed.”]

>>46845558
>[“Stealing another few glances, are we

>>46845558
>[“Eyes up. The name's Rebecca, and I'm charmed.”]

>>46845558
>[“Eyes up. The name's (Fake), and I'm charmed.”]

>>46845558

“Eyes up.” You say with a coy smile, snapping the man's gaze back upon your face. “The name's Rebecca, and I'm charmed.”

“Nay, I'm the one suffering your charm.” The gentleman of Cleptess leans in to kiss your hand. “The name is Wesly of Cleptess. Born of the streets, I've always called this place home.” His hand slips from yours, though not without letting his touch linger a moment longer.

“You were an urchin?” You can't help but to giggle a touch girlishly on your part, “I'd never imagine.”

“Imagine indeed my Lady Rebecca. A self made man is all you see.” His devilish smile returns, “Though you must pardon my intrusion, I should rejoin my old friend at our table...” He turns upon his heel, only to hold a moment and look back. “Will I ever see you again?”

“Perhaps if ever again you're in the mood to dance at a leaky tavern.”

“Oi, wench! I 'eard what y' said! This 'ere's the finest tavern in the sout'ern par's of Clep'ess!” The barkeep shouts over the carousing of the other patrons.

Wesly turns to the man with a mocking smirk worn upon his face, “I believe our good city is called Cleptess, and the lady means no insult. No other tavern in the south of the city bears a tap so leaky as to rob itself of its own product. Surely, you must be letting the citizens of Septic drink your swill through the boards.”

>>46846315

As Wesly turns to the bartender, the man takes a good long hard look at his face. Suddenly, his eyes go wide with familiarity and a snaggletoothed grin splays wide across the mix-featured barman.“Why ye' cheeky whoreson! That you thar Wesly? Whyn't ye tell me y' were back in town? Hid'n all sorely be'ind cowl 'n cloak.”

Wesly chuckles to himself, “Had I paid everyone here homage that I owed it to I'd be here for weeks on end, wouldn't I?”

“That lass wit' you? Fine red'ead she is. Drinks fer ya 'n yer lassy. On th' 'ouse.”

Wesly turns back to you, ruffling his parted bangs with his eyes rolled a bit, “Well, suppose discretion has its limits. Would you and your friends like a free round?”

>[“Actually... I was hoping that we could be alone together...” Seduction to pry answers from him.]
>[“Surely! Come and sit with us, bring your friend.”]
>[“We were actually just leaving. It's been fun Wesly.”]
>[Write in.]

>>46846328
>[“We were actually just leaving. It's been fun Wesly.”]

>>46846328
>[“We were actually just leaving. It's been fun Wesly.”]
I am confused whether he is or isn't the King

>>46846328
>[“We were actually just leaving. It's been fun Wesly.”]

>>46846328
>[“Surely! Come and sit with us, bring your friend.”]

>>46846328
>[“Surely! Come and sit with us, bring your friend.”]

>>46846382

What do you think is going on?

>>46846812
I'm pretty sure it's the King of Thieves but him being recognized in this tavern kinda throws me off so I want to be sure

>>46846328

“It's been fun Wesly, really has.” You say with the sincerest fake smile you can muster... Though in part you wonder if it's really fake. “We really must be going. Perhaps our paths will cross again?”

“Surely, they must. I'll forever remember the dancer that caused my favorite leaky tavern to explode into song and dance.” His chuckles to himself as he returns to his table, seating himself again with the man he entered with as a waitress brings a round to the table, fawning over the man as he pleasantly answers, yet dismisses her attentions at once.

Waving over Victoria and Odette, the three of you leave the tavern in a paced manner, and round the corner to walk towards the stable your monster's being kept at. “Well, Victoria? Who was he?”

The bookish girl looks up to you, adjusting her glasses just right so that a glare bounces off of the the glass, “I've never seen him before, though he's undoubtedly a Hylon of high regard. He had scales on his neck like a Drezar, likely telling of his origin. Who did he say he was?”

“He said that his name was Wesly, and that Cleptess was his home city.”

The girl's nose wrinkles in thought, “I wouldn't worry too much about him... The city's neutral as I said. He's much more likely an exceptionally prideful resident... Though he was very good at dancing.”

“Normal Thespians don't keep up quite well when I dance seriously... Though the other patrons did seem to know him. He did also say that it'd take him weeks to pay homage to everyone he knew in this city.”

Odette halts, her back tensing up as she peers around. “He could have been joking, right?”

“Why would he poke fun at the number of people he knows? If he knows that many people, he'd just say so, right?” Victoria crosses her arms and keeps walking. “Where are we going next? An Inn, or the adventurer's guild? I'd love to see first hand how they sort requests and distribute awards.

>>46847272

>[“I'd actually rather skip town already. We should see to passage on a ship.”]
>[“Odette, would you like to ambush him after he's drunk? Pry questions out of him?”]
>[“Let's head to the Guild, see if they have anything that needs doing, our gems already grow light...”]
>[Write in.]

>>46847292
>[“Let's head to the Guild, see if they have anything that needs doing, our gems already grow light...”]

>>46847292
>[“Odette, would you like to ambush him after he's drunk? Pry questions out of him?”]
Useless Ace of Knowledge.
I need to know who that is

>>46847292
>[“Let's head to the Guild, see if they have anything that needs doing, our gems already grow light...”]
I guess this city is going to be rather expensive

>>46847292
>[“Odette, would you like to ambush him after he's drunk? Pry questions out of him?”]

>>46847364
Boat rides for Dire wolves aren't cheap.

>>46847359
Booksmart vs streetsmart.
She'd need more to go off of than a face.

>>46847292
>[“Let's head to the Guild, see if they have anything that needs doing, our gems already grow light...”]

>>46847292
>[“Let's head to the Guild, see if they have anything that needs doing, our gems already grow light...”]
>>46847521
I guess eating the crew wouldn't reduce the price

>>46847292
>[“Odette, would you like to ambush him after he's drunk? Pry questions out of him?”]

>>46847584
Three people can't crew the ship. Besides, neither Belinda nor Dramir would appreciate that.

>>46847783
A certain Makoh face would though.
Atleast if the story is somewhat true

>>46847292

“We should head to the guild, our gems are getting light...” You say as you reach for your purse to jost- You reach for your purse to jost- You reach for your purse, and it isn't there.

You pat over your clothes, around your waist, and even in your pockets as you come to a complete stop.

Odette and Victoria turn, each giving you quizzical looks, though Victoria's is noticeably more dismissive.

“My gems, my gem purse is gone.” You say with your eyes wide in sheer surprise.

{I haven't been pickpocketed in years! Oh, this is fun. It must've been Wesly. Mmm, he's such a rogue.} Belinda swoons within, almost purring with misplaced affection for that bandit.

(Quiet. This isn't good, we needed gems for innstay and passage for ferry.) You chide back at the uncharacteristically smitten other half of yourself.

“Ah! What an experience! Cleptess is known as the city of thieves after all! It's fascinating to be victimized for the first time by a pickpocket. Do you commoners not also call them cutpurses?”

Odette sighs, “That's more the case when they use a knife to cut it from your belt.” Her gaze falls onto you, “It could've been the man you danced with. What even made you think that was a good idea?”

“I... I've never been pickpocketed before.” You say with a flustered blush as you try to regain your composure. “We should go back and-”

“Politely accuse him in front of his likely also thieving friends that the gems he's likely serving them rounds with are not his?”

“...You strike a good point...”

>[“Even so, we must go back. I'll have a word with him.” Yes... Mmmhm, just a word. B]
>[“Let's just carry on to the Guild. We'll take something that pays well and leave before we're robbed again.]
>[Write in.]

>>46847972
>[“Let's just carry on to the Guild. We'll take something that pays well and leave before we're robbed again.]
Ok this confirms my suspicions

>>46847972
>[“Let's just carry on to the Guild. We'll take something that pays well and leave before we're robbed again.]

>>46847972
>[“Even so, we must go back. I'll have a word with him.” Yes... Mmmhm, just a word. B]

>>46847972
>[“Let's just carry on to the Guild. We'll take something that pays well and leave before we're robbed again.]

>>46847972
>[“Let's just carry on to the Guild. We'll take something that pays well and leave before we're robbed again.]
Well it should have been obvious

File: Image017.jpg (17 KB, 429x466)

17 KB JPG

>>46848151

Almost surprised that you guys don't want to double check on that guy...

>>46848416
I don't think our fighting power is close enough to that of the twins.

>>46848416
There's still some chance that he doesn't think we're the group he's looking for

>>46847972

You sigh deeply yourself, “Let's just carry on to the guild then. We'll just need to skip town before we're robbed again.”

“I recall the maps of this city showing that the adventurer's guild is rather far. We should get your wolf.” Victoria walks ahead, still beaming to herself that she vicariously got a life experience. What a strange girl.

As the three of you enter the stable, you find that Fuse's beyond passed out and sleeping soundly with his tongue hanging out, drooling everywhere as he lays upon his back, leg kicking now and then with his huge paws.

No amount of shaking, jostling, or yelling rouses the wolf. As you try to get Fuse motivated, the stablemaster comes around through the gate and shouts, “What by in Luna's name is going on with all this 'ere yellin?”

A stablehand shovels horsedung in another stall, peering over at the commotion that's gotten the stablemaster involved.

“Our wolf... He won't wake up.” You say as you ruffle Fuse's fur.

The Stablemaster snorts up a bit of snot, and grabs a bucket, “You try throw'n water on the thing?”

“No-” Is all you can manage to say before her scoops water out of the trough and tosses it over the wolf''s head.

Fuse sniffles, snorts, and twitches, but otherwise remains fast asleep. The stablemaster tosses the bucket aside and checks the wolf's tongue. “Looks like the beast's been fed a sleeping elixir. He'll be out for a week.”

“A week?” You and Odette say, eyes growing wide.”

>>46848723

“Aye, that's what I said. I didn't stutter. Seen people's horses slipped some from time t' time when they piss off th' wrong person an' they don't want them t' leave. Could get an antidote, but it's costly. The miserly apothecaries of septic love their double profits.”

“Ah, right!” Victoria lightly pounds her fist into her hand, “Sell the poison and the antidote! Double profits. I love it.”

“Tha's right little laddy.” The Stablemaster turns to you and Odette, “If y' care t' leave yer beast here, I'll lend y' some horses for the city if yer willin t' do a man a little favor.”

Odette raises a brow, “What kind of favor?”

“I'm a man of few pleasures, though I take them t' heart. I'd like to see yer racks.” The Stablemaster shows a pervy smile as he leans against one of his stable's supports.

“What-” Odette flushes red with rage as she clenches a fist.

“I don't believe we have any racks to show this good man.” Victoria inclines her head with worry, as she finds the request unreasonable for other reasons.

{Oh, well this is easy.} Belinda whispers unabashedly in your mind as your fingers are already working to undo the lacing of your top.

“Beli, what are you doing?”

The stablehand perks up, looking over the stall as he listens to the conversation.

“Wh- I...” You blush beside yourself as your fingers suddenly seize up, suddenly rather self-conscious.

>[“What's the big deal?” Show the man your ladies. B]
>[“I- I'm sorry. We'll just walk. Excuse us.”]
>[“Would you happen to know who might've done this, good sir?”]
>[Write in]

>>46848740
>[“What's the big deal?” Show the man your ladies. B]

>>46848740
>[“What's the big deal?” Show the man your ladies. B]

>>46848740
>[“What's the big deal?” Show the man your ladies. B]
What's with the "B" ?
Is it marking the option favoured by Beli?

>>46848774
Yes.

>>46848740
>[“What's the big deal?” Show the man your ladies. B]
>[“Would you happen to know who might've done this, good sir?”]
As if there's any chance that it isn't Wesly

>>46848740
>[“What's the big deal?” Show the man your ladies. B]
>[“Would you happen to know who might've done this, good sir?”]

>>46848740

You lose control a moment after your fingers seize, and you begrudgingly let Belinda do what she has no modesty about. Unlacing your top, you promptly grab the bottom and expose your chest clearly for the man to see. “Is that well enough?” You ask as he and his stablehand look on, burning the image into their minds.

For fun, you even give them a little shake or two and the stablehand clutches his face with red crimson flowing fresh from his nose. The stablemaster has a trickle the same before you put your womanly assets away.

Victoria stares at the men, and then to you while Odette looks dumbfounded that you really just did that.

“Was that some kind of magic, or charm? It appears that they're losing blood... A hemorraging weave of some sort?” Victoria absently considers the implications of the extent of your power while Odette's expression slowly eases into a shaking of her head.

“So, the horses?” She demands, ready to vacate the premises as soon as possible.

The stablemaster wipes his nose, “The lad will get them ready. Mm, ah, thank y' fer that. Th' wife's not nearly so sup-”

“I swear to Luna do not finish that sentence.” Odette bites, nearly spitting flame of her own.

With a chuckle, you give the stablemaster a coy look, “You haven't... seen anyone that may have poisoned my dear wolf, have you?”

“Nay lassy. Been count'n m' books an' measurin' feed.” The Stablemaster turns and puts fingers to his mouth for a rousing whistle, “Boy! Ye' seen anythin' strange round here?”

>>46849199

With his bloodloss, the stablehand leans against the stall clearly out of sorts, “A man might've come around when I weren't lookin too sharp. Said he'd brought 'n order o' meat fer th' wolf there.”

“What did the man look like, love?” You say with a dangerous gleam in your eye as you sashay over to the boy, staring at him intently.

“Like any other. Dark hair, scar above his right eye. Looked a bit like most Drezar 'round here. Local butcher methinks by his smock.”

Well, at the very least it doesn't sound like Wesly... Though it's likely that he's behind this string of misfortunes.

“Thank you, boy. Best keep a better eye on the people that come through to people's steeds.”

Waiting for the horses to be saddled, you ride on toward the adventurer's guild in short time. Yours and Odette's mood befouled by the string of misfortune, hopefully someone in this city can give cause to turn that around...

>[End Scene...]

>>46849199
Victoria trying to logically explain stuff is really cute.
Also 50 bucks that Wesly to be put to sleep even if he doesn't know it belongs to us considering that riding a wolf was in the description

>>46849214
And so the trap is sprung.

>>46849214
Oh well I really hope there're some good paying contracts