Almund is a thriving township with a dark side. With houses made from the wooden bodies of decommissioned ships, there are many opportunities here, coupled with many dangers.
"He might. But then, he might appreciate a step off to shore for a drink, too. I'm told he and you go back a long way" she replied, with a crooked grin at the Guardian on the nature of ships for Ithecal. Bloody funny things with long snake-tails, she considered, but there you go. Idalos was full of strangeness and she was equal-opportunities in her attitude. Most people weren't worth her time. However, just as the kennel master was, Catalina was storing away information about the people, the jobs, the possibilities. Fundamentally, knowledge was power and the young woman knew it. And the kennel-master was well enough known that she counted it a lucky encounter this trial. Not quite up to the Guardian's standards, but still, possibly a more useful contact, actually. Because the Pirate King knew the Guardian better than she was likely to, but the kennel master was someone who might be a good way in to both some more money and gaining some more connections. Win-win.
She sat back, watching carefully at the scuffle and watching very carefully at the aftermath of it. It was interesting, and then some, to see the play of people here in Almund. Not landlubbers, but not pirates. Nearly-there's, maybe, she thought to herself but decided not to share that particular witticism. Humour was contextual, after all. And never moreso than in the case of this man who had killed the second one. She raised an eyebrow, looking at him with an amused gaze. "Touchy, aren't you?" she said, with a smile which was as sharp as the many blades she had. "You not knowing him, or knowing him, is information. Useful to know." after all, if he *had* known the now-dead man (and he still might have and just been oh, shall we say, lying) then she could have found out more, and that would have been good. But then, that thing that dangled between his legs made him genetically unable to admit he didn't know something, so he engaged in a sarcasm and a verbal pissing contest.
Oh. He must be a man.
And then the Guardian spoke of Vaniel the Vain; Cat had heard of her but not met her. She sounded like an ass to her and she wasn't interested in anyone who was more concerned with their appearance than her. But then, maybe this new man (what was his name... hmm... the Joke. That was it) would fit in with her. She looked between Gaunt and the Guardian as she suggested who he not spend his time with and wondered, briefly, if he would be as caustic and sarcastic with her. She suspected not because he didn't have the balls to be so mouthy with a Pirate Lord.
See previous statement re: man, she considered.
But the kennel master was an interesting soul and, as much as she attended to what the Guardian was saying, she stored away the possibility of picking up a job or two with him in order to supplement her income.
Might make for interesting times and Catalina did so hate to be bored.
"Busy as always, busier each passing trial it seems."
Dana replied to Gaunts question, a smile flitting across the big mans lips. Not that he would complain about that of course. Gibney was the one who liked to reminisce about times it had been just him and his hound, chasing someone under the moon, meting out judgement without having to worry about anyone else. While the Hound Master might grump about spending more time tracking Hounds who abused the title than doing 'real' jobs, the Kennel Master saw the positive, the successes. He remembered cold night with the icy Scalvorian wind blowing through threadbare clothes and bad food that you hoped kept you farther from death but might be bringing you closer. All in all, he much preferred his current lot in life thank you. Nels were not something he worried about anymore, though he still didn't waste them.
He nodded as Liathen spoke about the Kennel. It was true, there'd been the initial urge to stiff their Hounds. After all, there were lots of desperate people on Scalvoris who would do almost anything for almost nothing. But after a few moments thought, and a bit of thinking about the future instead of just the present, they, or at least Dana, had realized it was better to pay fairly and get capable people. Whether Gibney realized it or not, this dramatically reduced the number of incompetent or untrustworthy Hounds he had to hunt down.
And it was always nice to be sure of where they stood with the Pirate Lords. You never knew who Gibney had last annoyed and not bothered to tell him.
"Mm, Vaniel is.. Not perhaps the best employer for those who wish to stay functional."
Of course some men thought the brief time they spent in Vaniels embrace was worth it, or that the woman wouldn't discard them as she had every other lover she'd ever taken. Foolish.
"But yes, if a life on the sea doesn't take your fancy, or not yet, or you have extended shore leave, we always have something profitable for individual of some talent to attend to."
Dana gave Joker another speculative look, considering the attitude he'd shown so far before shrugging once.
"It's a good way to build a reputation for someone who wants to wind up working for themselves as well. Make some connections."
"I appreciate the advice, but I have no interest in joining a crew willy-nilly." Indicating he had no intention of joining The Vain but wasn't opposed to rallying under someone else's banner if he had the desire or reason to, he just wasn't keen on serving a random captain he doesn't share a strong bond or connection with, hiding behind others infamy or savagery just so he could feel strong as well and least of all he just didn't see the point on living and dying for someone else's dream. Gaunt was, at this point in time especially, more interested in the Guardian's and Dana's statements about the Kennel's supply & demand business model, regarding their Hounds. Especially when Dana casually mentioned that it would be indirectly beneficial for those who eventually wish to be their own boss. Gaunt could see why and how, making a name for oneself before officially kick-starting their own business in whichever chosen specialized field, obviously has a higher success rate than handing out pamphlets door-by-door about some random, shady organisation. Especially on Scalvoris where nobody would use the pamphlet for more than wiping.
He was about to answer Dana when the Biqaj pirate lass spoke to Gaunt again, explaining her reasoning behind the earlier question. With a sheepish grin, Gaunt nodded along. "That's deep, too deep for me." At which point he turned to face Dana again and acknowledged there would be mutual benefit by taking on projects as one of the Kennel's Hounds. Without explaining which benefits exactly, Gaunt said he would pass by the Kennel one of these days to introduce himself to Gibney as well, discuss how the business and Hounds exactly operate and hopefully take on one of the missions present.
"We'll see how it goes. Until then! Take care y'all." Nodding to each of the three with a smile; an especially broad, mischievous, one at the Biqaj woman, before taking off.
OOC
Please don't take this post as an automatic end-all for this thread, I'm not speaking for everyone when I make Gaunt leave, it was a very fun thread to be a part of, loved playing out the interactions! ^^ Thanks for letting me join!
word count: 384
Dmitri Saratov - Active
Gaunt Ki'hadi - Active
Talhar - Currently Inactive
Liathen fell silent again, watching the play between her table companions, though Raynarde's comment about Diarnav brought a quick grin to her face. "Not all that long, lass. But aye, he might." she said, before going quiet again. She did raise a hand when the Joker got up. "Good to have made yer acquaintance. If yer needin' work on the seas, feel free to stop by The Shield if we're in port." she said a farewell, before she turned her attention back to Raynarde and Dana. "And how's business been for you two? I hear the Kennel's doin' better than ever." she said, waving a hand at Dana.
(Sorry for short post, had no idea what to write here.)
"Business apparently like women" she replied with a grin to them both "So I told. Always plenty, never enough and always chasing the next" she shrugged and considered that men had a strange way of talking, but that made sense in a funny way. It was almost like her philosophy on men except, of course, she made it a point of honour not to ever chase. She never needed to.
But the Kennel Master's business, that was interesting. She looked over at him waiting to see what he would answer in terms of his job. On the departure of 'the Joker' (she had quite another name for him all lined up), she nodded her head and smiled at him, wickedly. She considered blowing him a kiss but she decided that he didn't deserve such attention and so she turned back to the conversation that she was acutely interested in.
It was important, though, to play this cool. Catalina knew that cool was how things worked, she had lived her life around people just like these after all. So, once he had answered the Ithecal, she leant back in her chair and looked at him with just a little interest in her expression - not too much. "I might be able to fit in job or two. You interested?" she asked, aiming to achieve an air of nonchalant. She didn't expand on what her skills were, that was for a different part of the conversation there was no doubting it. She thought that the Cap'n (aka the Pirate King) would be chill with this, because it was a good source of information gathering, a good way to get information and a good way to build relationships, too.
Dana agreed with a laugh upon hearing her comparison. And it was true. At least for him. They never hurt for business anymore, but he was one of those always haunted by the nagging feeling that there was just one more good job waiting, that they might need just one more connection, just one more contract, just one more Hound. To be entirely fair he only really felt that way about business, not women. There was in fact some speculation about which direction Danas proclivities ran, and the truth was that he was just far more interested in gold than flesh. Of any sort.
"Aye, we've taken on two more puppies full time."
He replied to the Guardian. Puppies being the orphans the Kennel took on, feeding, clothing and giving some on the job training in return for having them on hand to run errands at any hour of the day or night. They usually graduated into full fledged Hounds and stayed on that way, but it wasn't unheard of for them to take their training elsewhere.
"Handful of Hounds, damned pain weeding out the dependable from the ones who aren't. At least Gibney has fun running down anyone who doesn't complete their contract. Its about all he does these days."
He suppressed a smile at Catalinas oh so casual inquiry. He'd been doing this for awhile, and he knew the rules even better than she did, so he was fully aware of what she was playing at, and picking up on the hunger and ambition she was trying to desperately to hide. He didn't mind though. If she was working for the Pirate King she'd be at least fairly reliable, and there were times when a woman could get the job done far easier than a man. If there was one thing the Kennel was short in it was females. Unfortunate since in Danas experience they tended to be even more wily and vicious, finding ways to make up for the sheer physical muscle they lacked.
"Aye, I reckon I would be. I'll keep an eye on the Reaver shall I? I can't promise your first few jobs would be very high profile, but you know you get paid with us, which is better than most."
The first job or two tended to be scut work, Take this here, relay this message, guard this. Work anyone could do to see if they would do it. Once they'd proven themselves, they started getting more interesting job assigned as their talents became apparent.
Liathen grinned as Dana and Raynarde got a business arraignment worked out, or as worked out as it ever got with pirates, then looked down as she felt an impact in her lap. "Well, hello, Cat." she said, reaching down to pet the furry animal. She usually got on pretty well with animals, and the Cat was not exception. Looking back up at Dana, she spoke again as a thought occurred to her. "If I sent you all a few of my crew, could you find something to keep them out trouble? A few of my crew don't have the sense not go picking fights they can't win, and it's tiresome to have to hire new crewmates every time I dock." she said, a wry smile crossing her face.
That Danas knew the game much (much) better than her was not in doubt to Catalina, but still she was learning fast. So, she graced him with a beautiful and crooked grin as he acknowledged that he might, maybe, if he felt like it. And as for the first few jobs not being high profile? Well that caused a genuine grin "I want to build my reputation, I know. It no bother not big names, I not yet good enough for big names. Soon though. Keep watching" she assured him. She didn't doubt it, in fact; soon she would be the bee's knees, the mutt's nuts and all that.
But not yet and she had to earn her dues. Pay her way. Whatever shit these people needed, basically.
She kept quiet as she listened to the conversation between the Pirate Lord and the Kennel Master with regard to some errant crew and keeping them busy. Motioning to one of the waitresses, she ordered a round of drinks (which she, of course, paid for) and then when they were done talking and the drinks were there, she frowned quizzically and turned to Liathen, as she remembered something that Jaque'vo had told her. Of course, he was not entirely reliable and prone to teasing her. But he had seemed serious.
"I hear that Lords have" she searched for the right word in this, her second language "Gathering? Party on each ship in turn? Is that right? It was told me by crew man on the Reaver." she asked, wondering just what this sort of thing was. If it was true Jaque'vo had told her that they met and ate lavish meals, each trying to out do the others in terms of the cooking, the meal, the entertainment. He had laughed and told her that many decisions were made and that she should think more outside the box when she told him that sounded stupid and a waste of a Pirate Lord's time.
Dana agreed easily when the Guardian put forth her question. It was no question in his mind, anyone from her ship would be at least moderately well trained and have skills he could use. Even her trouble makers.
At Raynardes words Dana chuckled, a rich warm sound as she assured him she'd make a name for herself, that he only needed to keep watching. She was interesting this girl. Woman really. Cockiness wasn't uncommon in Scalvoris, but having enough of a grounding in reality to know you needed to work your way up? That you rarely saw. By the time that lesson was beaten into people they'd often lost much of their spark. Not Raynarde apparently.
"I will!"
"Ah, the Gathering!"
An exceedingly pleasant male voice broke in. Low without being gravelly, even with so few words, it dripped charisma.
An arm was laid across Catalinas shoulders. The other leather gloved hand gestured grandiosely into the distance.
"The time when all Pirate Lords take turns hosting each other, cementing our roguish bonds, our thieving brotherhood, and sisterhood of course. And incidentally our wealth and how well armed and trained our crews are just in case one of our brethren were thinking about stabbing us in our sleep. Not that we'd ever consider that. Terribly bad taste. Of course subverting the old honour amongst thieves is something of a storied tradition, but still. One expects something rather more fantastic than a knife in the back to end a Pirate Lord. Ah, but I've distracted myse-"
This was interrupted by an expertly thrown tankard whipping through the air to bounce off the mans head.
"RATSA! I Told yew to use the door!"
"Or at least close the window behind you, the draft is atrocious."
"Ripi, my love, my light, my dusky Princess, you dobbed me in?"
Vadni Ratsa, better known as the bard asked, one hand to his chest, face a picture of heartbreak.
"Don't even start, I'm so over you you might as well be a cobblestone. And it is perfectly reasonable to use the door."
"USE DOOR."
"Yes, yes, of course oh gracious barkeep, never would I cross such a man as yourself here in this, your home, like a landlocked ship. So in fact very unlike a ship now that I think about it."
Though his tone was utterly sincere, he rolled his eyes, before winking at Catalina and the Guardian. He started speaking again, turning towards Dana-
"So Kennel Master, have you had a chance to-"
-who was no longer there.
"How does someone that ungainly keep doing that to me? Bah, he can't dodge me forever. Ah well. Ladies! How lovely to see you here! Liathen, is this one of yours? Will you be bringing her with you to the Gathering? I do feel the festivities would be much improved with more women-folk and people of some taste rather than bores like, ha!, the Boar and his ilk."
Liathen grinned as Dana said he could keep her crew busy, then turned to Reynard as she asked about the Gathering. Before she could answer though, she was interrupted by a new arrival. The Guardian watched the byplay between the Bard and the bartender without comment, but when he turned to her, she smiled. "Not mine, Vadni. Reynarde here is one of Diarnav's crew, so you'll have to ask him." she said, her tone calm and easy. She liked Vadni well enough, but occasionally he got on her nerves.
"And ye best be makin' sure that the Boar ain't around to be hearin' ya insult him. Ye show some promise of bein' a gentlemen on occasion and it'd be a right pity if he sat on ye or some such thing." she said, her tone calm as she pet the cat in her lap, who was now purring loudly enough to pass for an earthquake.
► Show Spoiler
Having some trouble figuring out what to write. If I can't come up with somethin' for my next post, I'll bring in another Lord.
