Nothing but Trouble

[Ashven]

Ashven cocked his head and thought for a moment or two. He mentally noted just how much time had already passed. He was losing precious time once again. He didn't have time to argue.

Humans would know best how to interact for best results.. Perhaps her idea is a better way..

He nodded and walked toward Thea and Khei.

"Perhaps you would like to show me by demonstration then? I can make it worth your while"

He produced a small bag of coins similar to that of the ones he'd thrown to the thugs before. Seemingly from nowhere.

[Guest]

Thea’s eyes seemed fixated on the bag of money. She was tempted. Very tempted. The reason she came out here in this area of Baghdad was because she needed money. And the bag of money she got before from the shady buyers that sat tucked away in her jacket pocket could use some company… She pondered for a few more moments for consideration.

Khei’s counsel would reassure her. She lowered her voice so that only Khei could hear her ask, “What do you think? Money is low at the moment but can we trust him?”

[Khei]

Khei kept her composure as she nodded to Thea. She eyed the stranger as they talked.

"I really don't know if we can trust him. Something bothers me about him. I can't see any immediate danger in helping him though. If a problem arises I imagine we could handle it."

[Guest]

Thea nodded in agreement. They could deal with any situation thrown their way hopefully.

She turned to Ash and gave what she hoped was a confident expression. "We accept your deal. You had better keep your word about the money."

[Ashven]

Ashven's grin widened, if that was even possible, as he nodded in agreement.

"My word is my bond, I assure you. Consider this a down payment for your time."

He tossed the bag to Thea, gently.

".. and I promise much more where that came from upon the successful recovery of my property.. With your.. help.. of course."

[Guest]

Thea caught the bag and tucked it away in her jacket pocket.

"So, where do you wish to start, Ash?" she asked him.

[Ashven]

Ash shrugged and looked around at the various buildings and streets.

"Well I imagine you would know the city much better than myself. Where might you begin such a search?"

[Guest]

Thea thought about it for a moment. What were the likely chances they would even find the stone? An idea struck her.

"The inn up the road. Merchants tend to go there for drink and food, occasionally stay for a couple of nights, and it would make your search faster since they're gathered in the same place. If nothing comes of it, we'll search elsewhere. Plus I'm hungry."

[Khei]

Khei visibly perked up and nodded. Thea's mention of food clearly struck a cord with her.

"Come to think of it. I'm hungry too!"

[Ashven]

Inwardly, Ash groaned. He'd forgotten that humans, as mortals, required food and therefore did suffer from the distraction of hunger. At the very least it was a nuisance.

Outwardly, his smile refused to remove itself from his face.

"Very well then. Lead and I shall follow."

[Guest]

Thea nodded again. She recalled the horses and the wagon and quickly ran over to them and guided the horses far into an alleyway. They were safe for now as long no one came down there. "We'll be back," she said, stroking both horses' manes.

She made her way out of the alleyway to where Khei and Ash were waiting. They made their way up the street. She kept at a steady pace. She remembered Khei's warning about Ash, and she would keep in mind to be wary around him. Khei's senses were more perseptive than hers so she would trust them. She thought amusingly to herself what sort of talents Khei might possess in her human form. There was something lithe in her movements in the way she walked and fought. She would ask more about her second form if it were not for the barely trustworthy stranger that walked beside them.

She cleared her throat. "This is it," She said stopping in front of a tavern called The Royal Oak, which had nothing royal about.

"Gentlemen first," she said.

[Ashven]

Ash waited patiently as Thea took care of the horses. He used such time to examine the quiet one. His gaze stopped at her bracers and traced the symbols on them with his eyes.

Hmm. I hadn't noticed that before.. Those things are ripe with magic.. Hmm.. Some sort of concealment spell.. What might she be hiding? Hmm..

He mused over it as he followed the two to the tavern. He looked the place over and chuckled lightly.

"This city is filled to the brim with irony isn't it?"

He nodded as he entered the establishment. He could have argued that the cliche was "Ladies first" but he wasn't much for manners himself and besides; he was fairly sure he knew why Thea wanted him to enter first. Trust was something he didn't have nor gave much of but he knew it quite well.

[Khei]

Khei remained quiet as the three walked to the tavern. She was happy enough to be getting something to eat but she kept an eye on Ashven. She noticed him paying far too much attention to her bracers for her liking.

She hoped that they'd be able to help him quickly and be rid of him soon.

[Guest]

Thea laughed briefly at what Ash said, then caught herself when she realised it was his joke. Best not to get to familiar with his lot, she thought. Get this business over and done with and they wouldn't have to deal with him anymore.

As they entered the tavern Thea said, "Should we sit down and eat first or would we prefer to question the merchants?"

[Khei]

Before waiting for an answer from Ash, Khei bounds over to an open table and seats herself. Clearly she's decided that food is more important that losing the creepy one.