People Watching [D2, LE, Market Ward / Masty's Tavern] Open

[Mysti]

"I see," Mysti replied, still with that intense look in her eyes. Whether that look was deliberate or -- maybe that's how she always looked -- it can't be known for certain.

"You probably don't remember me -- but I do remember you. I saw you playing chess in that chess club tent earlier on. I would assume you never knew i was standing there. I always check tents that show up in the middle of the night and disappear just as suddenly -- just to make certain there aren't any untoward shenanigans taking place. Be that as it may, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you weren't being deliberately rude."

With that, Mysti gave Ikkit an almost playful little wink.

"So. I am little intrigued. Someone like you, digging around the city as you do, must overhear a great many things. Would you be interested in earning a bit of coin? Probably more than you get from salvaging, I would wager."

[Ikkit the Bastard]

His left ear flicked slightly.

"Shoulda come into the tent. They were a welcoming bunch. Caught me on my first day ever playin' chess, actually. Anyhow... if you've got an offer as doesn't jeopardize my main line, you got my attention. Whatcha wanna know about?"

[Mysti]

"I was only there to ensure that no one was being cheated -- you, for instance. But once I realized it was just a chess club and there wasn't any jink involved -- I moved on."

"Besides," Mysti added, looking vaguely embarrassed, "I don't know the rules of chess. Except that the horse piece has strange movement rules."

She appeared to think over something in her mind for just a moment. "So .... yes. The offer. I'm not looking to find out anything in particular. But I like to, shall we say, collect information. Of all types, kinds and from any source. You never know what might prove useful -- and profitable -- later on down the road. If you hear anything during your salvage operations, I could make it worth your while if you tell me what you hear."

She nodded in a rather serious manner. "There shouldn't be any danger to you. Just do what you normally do."

[Ikkit the Bastard]

He nodded.

"I can see t'that. Oh, and the horse piece is called a 'knight.'"

He gave a toothy grin.

"You get that one for free. If you wanna learn the game, Dare Shah's a good teacher. Kinda formal, but not bad for a Guvner."

[Mysti]

"Ah yes ... yes, the knight. I knew that once. Unfortunately, that was one bit of information that has, alas, disappeared from the knowledge I can instantly draw upon." Mysti gave a small nod of appreciation. "Thank you, my dear Ikkit."

She paused as she is wont to do as some thought or another flitted through her mind. "What did you say her name was? Dare? Hmm, was she the woman you were playing with in the tent? I do seem to recall she was deep in a lecture about -- oh, what was it -- I know this -- ah!"

The rogue snapped her fingers and pointed at Ikkit triumphantly. "Castling! That was it. Yes! At any rate, Dare did not seem much interested in taking on yet another new student. But I shall keep her in mind."

She then leaned forward, both her elbows on the table. And while Mysti's grin wasn't quite as toothy as that of Ikkit's, her smile exposed slightly elongated -- and very sharp -- canine teeth. "So we have ourselves a partnership then?"

[Ikkit the Bastard]

"Sure."

He spat into his palm and held his hand out.

"An' Dare was just teachin' the one time. Reckon if y'found her without a brand new player t'babysit she'd walk y'through it."

[Mysti]

Mysti eyed Ikkit's saliva-drenched palm with a faint air of disgust. The last thing she wanted to do was to get goblin spit all over her hand. But, alas, Sigil was a nexus for so many different types of beings with so many different cultures and ways of doing things. It wouldn't do her any good if she went around offending people just to satisfy her seemingly delicate sensibilities. But it still made her skin crawl. Not because it was goblin spit -- but because it was spit. It wouldn't have mattered whose it was.

All of those thoughts took less than a second -- after which Mysti spat in her own hand then reached out and shook Ikkit's hand.

"Excellent. Excellent." She then tilted her head slightly to the side as if taking Ikkit's measure. Mysti pursed her lips thoughtfully then said, "Word on the street says you wish to start your own salvaging guild. I'm not sure how, at this point, but perhaps I can be of help. Should you need it. If not, I will henceforth stay out of your own business."

[Ikkit the Bastard]

He cocked his head to the side and shook her hand firmly, actually smiling a bit (rather than his usual display of teeth dressed up as a smile).

"No need t'stay out o' th'business if you want in, y'know, but even just th'right words in th'right ears c'n help."

He paused.

"An' what's your line, anyhow?"

[Mysti]

Mysti canted her head to the side just a little, giving Ikkit a rather puzzled look.

"My line? Hmmm," she replied as she retracted her hand to wipe off the saliva on the underside of the table. "I don't ... wait, what do you mean by 'line'? Are you asking why I am helping you?"

She lifted a curious eyebrow.


((Apologies for being so slow last few days - had to put my dog down so haven't been posting as much -- but I'll be back to normal in a day or two.))

[Ikkit the Bastard]

[Back to normal is a big ask under the circumstances. Lost my dog about three years ago and it still hits me at odd times]

"Nah, nah, I mean, whatcha do, what's your line? Y'dont's treak me as a patrol Hardhead."