Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Tread Lightly (CLOSED Oblivion RP)

Dust half-rolled her eyes at the Bosmer's comment before seeing the woman's reaction to it and wincing. Her eyes were hardened in a stare, like some bird of prey…

Dust pursed her lips and reached into her bag, shuffling until she brought out a small parchment package of dried herbs. She placed them on the woman's table, avoiding eye contact.

"If you chew these, they should help. It's ginger and peppermint, and a bit of dried taproot." She spoke softly, eyes cast down on her bag as she began to close it. "You could try making a tea out of it, as well." With that she turned and sat again, glancing at Astarill as he spoke to the Bosmer.

Ath would pretty much ignore the death glare he got from the sick woman and he paid attention to Astarill as he spoke again. Help him.......help him, that was the big question at this point in time. To the bosmer it seemed the male figured the bosmer would help him. A finger would be lifted and he trailed it lightly down along his jawline.

Ath then would smile wide and nodded. "But of course, i am curious in this matter as im sure you are." He had various other reasons of course for helping out, some good some not so good, but all in all he figured he would succeed better in finding his friend or why he was being looked for by helping.

OOC: Oh crap......i'm sorry Ateh is me Ath'vesu, I compleatly forgot that it changes the post as when you create a new character x.x

Dak looked at the package, then at the woman, then at the package, then at the woman again. Her smell…an interesting mix of herbs’ scents and perfume. The smell of an alchemist. A smell she knew from the Sanctuary. “…of course, you’re one of his pets,” she muttered while opening it for putting some herbs into her mouth. She chewed carefully then nodded. “…thank you anyway, tit.”

Already feeling a bit better, Dakari looked back at the two men. They apparently had managed to reach some kind of agreement, and Dak wondered who would be taken for a ride. The Bosmer has the same expression of those persons from the waterfront, who smiled while attempting to rob your purse…or stabbing you. And that Breton girl…

It started to make a lot of coincidences. Too much for Dak’s taste. Something was going on, but she didn’t know it was good or bad. Yet. In any case, she had finally found an interesting way to be kept busy for the coming days…

Astarill pressed his lips tightly together, draining them of colour. He forced a thin smile, which disappeared about as quickly as it had come, in response to the Bosmer’s wide one. “Splendid,” he said wryly.

'Curious', he thought, suppressing the urge to snort, Try ‘bloody annoyed’ instead.

He looked down on what was left of his ale, and found that he had lost his taste for it. He put the mug down and shoved it out of his way, regarding the Wood Elf once more after his eyes had lingered briefly on the bottle of shein he had refused earlier. “So... you’re his ‘friend.’ What do you suggest we do? Do we wait here? Or do you know of any other places he might be?”

Dust watched as the woman glanced between her and the herbs before taking them, muttering something as she opened her mouth.

One of his pets.

Dust felt a flare of anger - I am not his bloody pet anymore - before pursing her lips and shaking her head. It didn't matter, anyway. "You're welcome," she murmured in response to the woman as she stood and moved back to the table, eager to avoid the connections that seemed to follow her wherever she went.

It seemed Astarill and the strange Wood Elf were still discussing things. Dust frowned and sat, wishing she hadn't finished her mead so quickly. I could really use a strong drink. Her gaze flickered to the half-finished ale and she smiled for a moment before shaking her head, focusing one again on the conversation between the two men.

Ath would tap his fingers lightly upon the table as he thought of just what they should do. The bosmers good hearing picked up snatches of conversations around him and he would briefly glance over to Gabriel and Dakari when something of favored pet spilled out. Favored pet? Favored pet of who's? A small shake of head was given before he turned attention back to Astarill.

"Well we can do one of a few things that i see........wait here as he frequently visits this place.....he is also seen about the waterfront district and the arena as he likes to bet." He hmms softly. "Or we can always use you as bait and draw whoever is seeking him out?" A flash of smile was there showing he was joking. "So ether wait here or keep watch at the other places as well." He had people he could talk to as well and he would bite his lower lip a moment.

"I got some people i can talk to, and ask around while we wait or look as well." He mutters.

The more Dakari listened at the Bosmer man, the more she frowned. Finally, she spoke. With a slow, dull voice. “…maybe I can help you to save some precious time. Birds are talkative, especially crows, and they told me interesting things. The Dark Brotherhood is apparently looking after a thief, and if they caught him, or someone looking just like him…well, it is known.”

She got up again, determinate this time to not go wobbly, and glared at the Altmer.

“You should hurry to find that man. Because you’re running out of time, hawk.”

Dak nodded and turns, heading for the entrance. The hunt promised to be an interesting one, for both the hunters and the prey.

The Altmer’s face remained perfectly straight and unmoved at the Bosmer’s jested suggestion they’d use him as bait. By the time the man was done summarizing their options, Astarill had managed to get over his annoyance about the joke, and he could speak without needing to expend too much effort in being polite. Before he could, however, the Imperial woman saw fit to interfere once more, this time giving a whole new meaning to her earlier warning to ‘watch his back.’

While her words sank in, Astarill shifted his jaw, about to ask the Bosmer what the hell his so called ‘friend’ was thinking when he figured he’d go and upset the Dark Brotherhood one merry day. What the woman said in conclusion made him pause, though. He furrowed his brow, wondering first if he had heard correctly, and then if the shein the woman had drunk hadn’t been slightly too old.

He tore his eyes off the Imperial when she strode off, and instead sent a skeptical gaze in Dust’s direction. “Are you entirely sure that what you gave her was against seasickness?”

“In any case…” he continued, addressing the Bosmer after a brief shake of his head with which he forced himself once more to focus on the important things at hand, “We can’t watch each place at once. I suggest we go talk to those people of yours.”

Dust's lip twitched as the woman mentioned the Dark Brotherhood - even the name sat uncomfortably with her, lately. She shifted in her seat, gazing after the Imperial as she left before looking up at Astarill's voice.

"What?" She said faintly, still processing the question in the haphazard jumble of her current worries. "Oh, yes, I'm sure. No side effects. She's just - a bit odd, I think…"

Astarill responded to the Bosmer now, drawing Dust's attention to their conversation. Hm. "I'll come - if that's alright, of course. Maybe I can help, somehow." She couldn't help feeling vaguely guilty, even knowing this time, it had nothing to do with her. But…

The Dark Brotherhood has caused him enough trouble. She tilted her head, ready to find out what the two men would plan.

Ath looked over to Dakari as she spoke and he pursed his lips slightly, the first emotion other then confused and happy to be seen in the conversation. Dark brother hood....bah bunch of assassins. But her words did give him something to think about......what had possessed his friend to steal from them....if indeed he did steal from said group.

Ath shook his head then looked to Gabriel and nodded. "Of Course madam, you can come." He would flash her a friendly smile and trailed his finger along his jaw line. "Though what you see, seldom ever see when not in our ranks." They already knew he was thieves guild, so no point in hiding it from them. "But it will have to wait until tonight." He murmmers and sits back.

It was still raining outside, and Dak let out a shivering sigh. She hadn’t enjoyed the soup and the shein as much as she had hoped at first, and the warmth was vanishing quickly, until she finally felt cold and miserable again. Life was a bitch.

She kicked a little pebble which landed into the water with a quiet “splash!”. Dak walked closer to the edge and looked down at the water, wondering what to do. She had delivered a warning, but from the rumble she had heard while leaving, she doubted it had been taken seriously. Maybe if she had shrieked and cried …? Too bad she couldn’t do that anymore.

After all, the dead didn’t cry.

A pang of determination suddenly twisted Dak’s stomach, and she shook her discomfort off her mind. Maybe…yes, if there were a single chance that this thief had stolen something precious, something compromising enough to destabilize Lucien Lachance and his oh-so-precious Family…then *she* had to be the one who would find that man and his loot. Not the Brotherhood, not his so-called friend, not the tit and the hawk, nobody but herself. And for that, she needed to stay a step ahead of the others.

Sounds of heavy metal steps coming toward her made Dak looking up. She would have almost smiled. Almost. A troup of men were patrolling on the docks, despite the rain, five men wearing the armor of the City Guard and leaded by an another one, who was wearing a gold-and-white armor of Watch Captain. Dak knew him, thanks to the Black Horse Courier and the hundred of wanted posters about the Gray Fox which covered the city’s walls: Hieronymus Lex, an officer obsessed with the mythic Thieves Guild and its legendary leader. Dak couldn’t less care if that Bosmer really was a member of the Guild or not, but she was sure Lex would enjoy to catch a thief. Even for a few hours – it was all she needed. She nodded slowly at herself and walked to the patrol.

“Greeting, Citizen!” said the Captain with a grim expression. “You shouldn’t stay here, the waterfront is dangerous for the respectable subjects of the Emperor. The Thieves Guild is watching the place.”
“…I know,” answered Dak with a fake concerned expression. “Three of them were gloating loudly at the Bloated Float. It was so shocking I left without even finishing my meal. Those shameless scoundrels…”
Lex’s eyes glimmered with righteous fury and his men exchanged looks with a hopeful expression – apparently, patrolling the area was so boring that any distraction would be welcomed. “Are you sure?”
“…I absolutely am. A Bomser man, an Altmer man and a Breton woman. They’re still inside. They looked dangerous.”
“Thank you for telling us, my lady,” smiled the captain while pointing at the inn – his men nodded and headed for the boat, their hands on the hilt of their swords. “I wish more persons would feel as concerned about our city’s security as you do. Now, please excuse me. Have a good day, citizen!” He smiled again and ran to the inn for catching up with his men at the same time while they entered the Float.

Dak smiled coldly back and headed for the Waterfront’s gates. She had now someone to meet.

Astarill regarded Dust and furrowed his brow when she proposed to join them. He glanced briefly at the Bosmer as the man seemed to agree, and then looked back at the Breton beside him. “You don’t have to,” he told her, despite the fact that he was reasonably certain she would, anyway. Couldn’t hurt to try to make her see sense, even if she wouldn’t listen.

He sat back and now regarded the Wood Elf again. “Tonight, then,” he said, and harrumphed before continuing cynically, “If I haven’t got an arrow in the back of my skull by then.” He briefly looked the Bosmer over once more, and then extended a hand to him. “I’m Astarill. What are we supposed to call y-… ?”

The Altmer’s question was interrupted by one of several guards that had entered the Bloated Float. “There they are, sir!” the man called. Another, one wearing the armor of a captain, let his gaze go over all three of the supposed Thieves Guild conspirators before he made his way to them. “Right, then. You will come with me. All of you, if you would be so kind…”

Astarill pulled a face, withdrew the hand he had extended to the Bosmer, and muttered to himself, “What in Oblivion…?”

Dust gave a small smile at Astarill's odd politeness. Of course she didn't have to - but she needed to, for her own sake if no one else's. The guilt was eating away at her, all these Dark Brotherhood messes. Astarill introduced himself before the relatively peaceful quiet of the Bloated Float was interrupted by the heavy, armoured footfalls of several guards.

What in Sheogorath's…? Dust narrowed her eyes as they approached, the captain looking them over. Captain Lex. She grimaced - she had never been particularly fond of most guards. "For what, may I ask…?" She raised a brow as one of the guards, a younger man, perhaps a new recruit, attempted to handcuff her wrists. "Er - with all due respect, I don't think those are quite my size." Her usual cheery tone was instead dripping with sarcasm and annoyance. "Or my colour. Perhaps you have gold? Or perhaps you can explain exactly what's going on first?" She grumbled inwardly as the young man moved away. Bloody hate guards… She glanced between Astarill and the Bosmer, less worried than annoyed.

Ath began to hold a hand out. "Just Ath is fine." He would say then blinks and goes quiet as the door opens and the guard captain and his men appeared and walked to them. Ath tilted his head and frowned to the captains words. "Sir, what did we do?" He would ask. Lex would grin. "You all will tell me where the grey fox is." Ath blinked and looked to the captain and then to the others.

"Well sir, i don't know how we will do that........we are just travelers that got into town not to long ago." He would try to bluff his way out of this and such and hope it worked. "We just came in for a friendly drink of ale and to hear the latest rumors and stories." Lex watched them with beady eyes as Ath talked. When the mans attention was away from him though, he would quickly hide a lock pic encase things did not go so well and they were jailed.

Captain Lex swelled out his chest with a smug face. “’We have a witness who assert she heard the three of you claiming your allegiance to the Thieves Guild. Now, let go – we’ll continue this interrogation at the Bastion. If you’re smart enough, you will not resist.”

He moved his hand and two of his men walked nearer of the “thieves”, ready to bring them out the inn by brute force if necessary. Lex looked at the remaining three guards. “Patrol the area. I don’t want their accomplices to attempt to free them.” The men looked sullen but nodded anyway and walked out the inn-boat, throwing annoyed glares at the patrons. Their captain looked back at the Altmer, the Breton and the Bosmer. “Criminals first,” he scoffed.


Maybe had Dakari overestimated her stomach and the herbs that girl had given her, or underestimated her seasickness – or maybe the shein was just too old, the Nines only knew. Anyway, a pang of nausea hit her and she stammered to the edge of the quay. She fell on her knees, despite the soaked ground, and vomited up her very heart.

She even felt bad for the slaughterfishes. Or not.

Astarill snorted at Dust’s comment, then sent a glare in the direction of the guard that approached him with another set of handcuffs.

“I’ll come willingly, thank you,” he snapped. “I’ve got a complaint to file once you’ve run through your procedures and have realized that there’s nothing you can hold us for.”

He had no need to resist. It might be impossible to prove that he was in fact not a member of the Thieves’ Guild, but there certainly was no proof that argued that he was either. Well, apart from the testimony of a ‘witness,’ whose identity seemed pretty obvious to Astarill. Nevertheless, they were going to have to wait for night to fall in order to speak to Ath’s people, and until then… where would he be safer from the Dark Brotherhood’s arrows than an office of the Watch, shielded from the rest of the world by a mountain of pointless outdated paperwork? The only downside to the current course of events was that he was now unable to take the abandoned bottle of shein with him, which annoyed him greatly.

The guard who tried to handcuff him looked at his captain, who submitted Astarill to a scrutinizing glare and then gave a nod, apparently estimating the chance that the Altmer would try to escape as slim.

When the guard captain scoffed and gestured for the ‘criminals’ to precede him out of the inn, Astarill arched an eyebrow. He seemed to have no intention to move and cast a skeptical look around as if looking for said ‘criminals.’ He turned his gaze back to the captain and spoke with a poorly disguised sneer, “After you, then.”

Anger coloured the watch captain's face a nice shade of red, but he appeared to possess enough self-restraint not to let the Altmer's impertinence get the better of him. He made a gruff gesture towards the inn's door. One of the two remaining guards nodded in return and proceeded to the inn's exit, holding the door open. The captain looked from Astarill to the door and back again with a humourless, impatient expression. Astarill harrumphed, took his backpack, and then followed the guard out of the inn.

Dust growled and rolled her eyes as one of the guards motioned for her to step ahead, flanking her between the captain and Astarill, with another guard behind her. "Yes, yes, I'm going. Don't get your knickers in a bunch." She glared as one of the guards gave her a slight push forward. "We're not thieves, but I doubt you're going to realize that so easily, hm?"

Astarill, though annoyed, was also surprisingly calm. Dust frowned, worrying her lip and wondering what he was thinking. She hadn't expected him to resist, but she had almost expected more of an argument - until she realized. Stone walls, almost underground, surround by guards on constant patrol. The prison was probably the most miserable and certainly one of the safest places in the city. With a sigh Dust grabbed her bag, glancing back at the Bosmer - Ath, he called himself? - before turning to follow those before her.

Ath snorted softly and shook his head. "Honestly Captain, if we were thieves do you think we would be shouting it to high heaven? Specially in a crowded place?" He asked. "Seems to me you should be checking out this so called "Witness" Before making charges against innocent travelers" But as it seemed the guards wanted to continue the arrest the bosmer would get up. "I can walk well enough." He mutters as he unslung his bow and quiver and handed them over.

With that done Ath would follow Astarill and Dust out of the bloated float before glancing up to the sky. They needed to be out by nightfall at the latest if they wanted to waist little time in getting to his people. Hell maybe breaking out of jail wasn't such a bad idea, the guild could rectify the bounties on there heads easily enough. Ath thought on all this as they walked and decided he would play it by ear.

Captain Lex led the « criminals » to the Bastion with the smug expression of the victorious rightness. Behind the wannabe captives, the two guards looked nervous until they finally left the waterfront behind the heavy, giant gates that separated the place from the rest of the city.

Dakari saw them leaving from the top of the firehouse. She had hurried to climb there when she had noticed three of the guards leaving the Float for patrolling the area. It had been an achievement to not puke all the way upstairs though. But now, she had to think fast and act fast. The Altmer was somewhere, the Brotherhood was looking for him, and she didn’t expect the guards to keep the Bosmer and his friends in jails for more than a few hours – no mention she surely would have to answer to them for their forced stay in the Bastion. And “I didn’t want to have you around” would surely be insufficient.

Dak shrugged with one shoulder and started to walk downstairs. She was planning to go to the Market Place. It apparently there that the Bosmer had met the strange Mer for the first time. It was a good place to start the hunt, and the shopkeepers might know interesting things - for once.