Finding a connection

[Adrian Roux(H)]

Smiling pleasantly at the girl as she walked away I then raised a brow to the Aragonian again. "Delivered to the Palace?" I asked cautiously. "Is there anyone in particular I should see it reaches, or a way to send it in? Something tells me my kind are not so easily allowed within and will be checked by guards; being caught carrying something so dangerous would only get me thrown in prison and lose you a contact."

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

“Fine,” I said. “Then I will pick it up from you here.” I glanced at the barmaid, thinking that perhaps the rumor of a dalliance with her would be a fine excuse for my appearances here.

I looked back at the man. “How much is this going to cost?”

[Adrian Roux(H)]

I thought quickly, adding up the money I'd have to share with whichever sibling agreed to the undertaking, as well as the bribes and the small profit for myself. "Sixty ducats," I told him confidently.

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

I looked him directly in the eyes. “I’m not going to try and bargain you down, but for my giving here I expect you not to try and raise the price on me later. Do we have a deal?”

[Adrian Roux(H)]

"That's fair enough," I agreed readily- better a steady pay than one that wavered between flamboyance and inconstancy. "And if you require any more supply we'll renegotiate the price."

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

“Fair enough,” I said, nodding. I reached into my pocket and withdrew half of the payment for the first delivery.

“This is to prove my intentions of keeping my end and to help you with anything that might need…facilitating,” I told him as I subtly slid him the coins.

[Adrian Roux(H)]

"That is much appreciated, my lord," I told him with a nod of understanding, scooting the money toward me but not touching it otherwise. "I will have the first shipment for you in three days if that suffices."

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

“It will,” I said, not letting the relief that filled me show outwardly. I had enough to make it three days.

[Adrian Roux(H)]

"Very good then," I replied, tying the pouch to my belt. "Then I will see you two hours after sunset three days from now within this establishment."

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

I inclined my head to him. “I shall see you then.”

[Adrian Roux(H)]

"Fare well." Our business concluded I stood and made a slight bow, then took my drink and went back to my own table. Perhaps there would be other things to catch my attention this evening; if not, I would soon return home for some rest before rising early to see to matters.

[Odette Lamberte]

Time trudged onward at a most undesirable rate, at least for me, yielding opportunities for greater profits for those who sought them in this place of ill repute. Day or night, under one guise or another, patrons took on the ever bold design of chance, by one manner or another. And I…I was aware of them all though witness to none.

When I fall completely under the weight of all things associated with this tavern, would I miss such questionable behavior? I pondered this question even as I glanced between the separated pair of men from afar.

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

My attention turned and I found the barmaid in the group. I smiled charmingly and motioned I was ready for my drink.

[Odette Lamberte]

Returning his captivating smile, I traversed the crowed floor to gather his brandy as gracefully as possible from the tender, groping hands hindered my progress somewhat so it took a moment longer in arriving to his table with the drink in hand.

“I beg your pardon for the delay. I’ve naught enough hands to counter curious ones.” I smiled warmly, settling his drink before him.

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

“Forgive me for making you run that gauntlet again,” I said, smiling. “Perhaps you should sit for a few moments and recover?” i indicated the empty chair at my table.

[Odette Lamberte]

I dismissed his form of apology by merely waving a delicate hand. “Tis all to earn my way in this life, a gift of fate when I happen upon dashing appearances so, I take the ill for the sake of the good.” I winked playfully then stole a glance at the other fellow before coming to rest in the chair across from the dark haired man.

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

I chuckled. “That’s a very optimistic outlook,” I said, smiling.

[Odette Lamberte]

“Or a foolish outlook, mayhap.” I chuckled softly then truly began to take in the features of his face with as much politeness as possible without staring at the man.

My thoughts drifted for a moment, his features were desirable, though they were brought back to the present as some ruckus taking place in a darkened corner of the tavern pulled my attention away from this fellow.

As I watched what could be seen of the spectacle I folded both arms onto the surface of the table and leaned comfortably forward, pushing bobbles of flesh into delightful pose.

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

If I hadn’t been working to create the image of a crush to cover my future appearances here I would have been off put by her obvious display of flesh. Instead, I let my eyes linger as a lesser man would have and then took a drink of brandy.

“Mayhap,” I said, smiling. “I never did catch your name.”

[Odette Lamberte]

Whatever the matter was in the far corner had ended just as abruptly as it begun so I withdrew my arms from the table to right my posture, turning my eyes upon him again. “Nor I yours.”

Passing a fair distance behind our table, and using silent gestures to carry her point across, my matron companion caught my eye. I wrinkled my nose briefly as if I had a tickle there then frowned lightly as her impatient eyes tore away from mine.

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

“Eduardo,” I told her, smiling.

[Odette Lamberte]

I had to fight off the exasperated sigh that desired to escape from my lungs in spite of the other matron, betimes I truly…deeply disliked working here. Forcing a smile upon my lips, I drew my focus back onto Eduardo. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Eduardo, I’m Odette. Is there somewhat else I could bring you?”

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

“Odette,” I said, letting her name play across my tongue.

“No, I’m fine, thank you. I seem to be keeping you from your duties, and I apologize.” I reached into my pocket and took out a gold ducket, pressing it into her palm with a smile. “Thank you for taking such good care of me. I hope I shall see you again when next I visit.”

[Odette Lamberte]

I was held breathless for a span of a few heartbeats as I stared at the gold ducat in the palm of my hand, it was a true rarity to witness given my profession, I pray to Shemhazai that I’d naught sat too long in awe of the coin in my hand.

Coming to my senses, I inwardly questioned his generosity though smiled gratefully none the less. “Indeed. Please take care, Eduardo.” My mind whirling with question upon question, I took my leave with grace, tending too the other patrons as usual

[Eduardo de la Rosa]

I watched her work as I finished my brandy, then I took my leave of the establishment, counting the night having gone very well.