Hidden Gems [Thief/Rogue/Assassin Only]

[Keats]

Keats flipped through a book as he relaxed in his chair, calmly smoking his pipe. He raised his eyes, seeing something shift out of his peripheral, and nodded as a man came to sit at his table. "A fine book, that one." the man praised, looking it over. "Have you read it before?"

Keats nodded. "Yes. Any part of it that you particularly favor?" he inquired, casually turning the page, though his eyes were barely even glancing at the words.

The man nodded. "Yes. Near the middle of the book, when he decides to take his loved ones across the country, to find a place for them in Santuraz." Keats nodded at that. "Well, I won't bother you. Take care."

Keats lifted his pipe in salute as the man left, smoke softly billowing from his mouth. "So, it's heading to Santuraz..." he murmured to himself as he closed the book. "Excellent. Just excellent."

The rogue's eyes looked over the room, taking note of the faces. Thieves, cut throats, pirates, snake oil merchants, card sharps, every manner of dreg that plagued polite society. Not a finer place to call home. His gaze lingered at one table. A woman with sky blue hair, clad in white like an Eliminian cleric, and another clad in green clothing. Keats smiled to himself. A cleric, on this island? He sincerely doubted it. A woman, clad in green? Well, just maybe. Either way, this looked like it could prove to be entertaining, and perhaps even profitable.

The Rogue got up from his table, abandoning the book as he strode over to the pair, a trail of smoke following behind him. "Hello, ladies." he greeted as his eyes moved between them. "I hope you don't mind the intrusion. I couldn't help but notice you both here." He explained as he commandeered a seat at their table. "This island has anything you could want and more, if you know where to look and who to ask. Might I be so bold as to ask what two fine ladies such as yourselves might be searching for?" Keats inquired as he puffed on his pipe, studying their faces. "A rare trinket, or a lost relic? A forbidden tome or a sought-after holy text? Maybe, dare I suggest it, to have someone silenced?" His eyes narrowed a bit, though he was still smiling around his pipe. "Or maybe..." he began, his voice lowering, "You lovely ladies are looking to do the silencing?"

[Ryuzaki]

Ryuzaki fluttered in through the door, and his eyes immediately locked onto an empty table, with... A book. Hmm. Looking around and making sure he wasn't being watched. Then, he nonchalantly walked through the tables, and, as he passed the book, swished his cloak up, over, and down, swinging his hand underneath and pocketing the book in one fluid motion. Sitting down in a chair at the table, Ryuzaki pulled out a coin from his pocket and raised his right hand, signaling the waitress. It was good to be among one's own kind, and Ryuzaki relished the fact that nobody cared about his presence. Nobody.

[Jule]

Jule peered around the frame of the door, then found what she was looking for. Or rather, who. They had agreed to split up when they got to the island of "Mystique". Such a corny name, but this had to be where the Wraith was, she could feel it in her bones. Rather, she'd feel it in her bones until she was wrong and had to stow away on a ship. That could be exciting, she never tried that before! But she had an alibi to uphold, she wouldn't stall for any longer on the outside of the tavern. It was a tavern, right? It had a strange look for a--"Arrgh!" she growled, making all the people on the streets turn to look at her for a moment, then keep on walking. At least thieves and pickpockets weren't ones for public humiliation most of the time. She rubbed her eyes with her fists until they were red and tears dripped down, for good measure before walking in to confront Miss Karen.

Jule quickly walked in, and looked at the acolyte with a haunted face. "Sister, sister!" she called Karen out with the appropriate term for a member of the Eliminean Church, paying no heed to the other two conversers. "I found him, I found him...he's dead, h-he's dead and I couldn't stop it!!" she gave a low pitched wail, not enough to distract the others at the edges of the building, but everyone at that table and surrounding tables could notice her. Tears did start to come to her face, but only because she thought of her mother, but it was a convincing act all the same, in her perspective. "Jeode, he's just... I..I watched him bleed to death.."

[Jya]

Jya eyes widened as they were approached that the young man. She wasn't sure how she should go about responding. Sure she considered how she might need to kill to get her dues, but she honestly didn't want to gain anymore infamy she already had. However, no matter where she went, it always ended with someone either getting killed by her hands in some spectacular manner or getting close to it, so this wasn't something she didn't expect. 

"I don't know yet," she responded, looking about unsure of how to properly respond. Just then a child burst into the scene and once again, she was surprised. Did Karen always attract so many people? It must be nice, in the sense she seemed like she can make a good many friends. She tugged at the last band of green on her body, tugging at the cloth of green, searching for some comfort. 

[Karen]

Karen looked over as new fellow added himself to their table. The suave type, though his similar appearance to Zerachiel was a rather... annoying bit. Still, his comments were less on the flirtatious side and more on matters of business. Looking back, she recalled seeing the man in here before, with a veritable cadre of different names and faces. An information broker, and one that was quite skilled for all the company he got.

Karen started to speak to the cloaked man before being interrupted rather suddenly by a familiar cry.

"Sister, sister!"

The Acolyte turned to look at the source of the call, the precocious thief girl that had followed her to Trent in Ilia and now here in the Isles. She called out that she found him, the brother she was searching for.

"Jeode, he's just... I..I watched him bleed to death.."

Karen frowned and placed a hand on the younger girl's head. "Then his killers will already be dead as well. His vengeance will have been obtained." The island took care of itself, those ghostly sentinels that knew the art of the kill just the same as anyone else on this Isle of cutthroats.

"It will be okay, dear." She guided the girl to another chair at the table.

[Keats]

Keats propped his elbows up on the table and bridged his fingers together, resting his chin on them as he leaned forward, smiling cheerfully as his eyes moved from lady to lady. "Not sure, eh? Well, that's no problem. Many a lost soul finds their way here. Fortunately, my wandering little dove, you've found your way to me. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is-" He was cut off by the tearful cry of another woman, who tore her way into the bar to moan her grievances onto the woman in white.

"Yes, life can be very short here, if you're not careful." he commented nonchalantly. "People get into all sorts of trouble that they simply can't handle. Usually because they have no idea what it is they are dealing with. This island is a kingdom of gypsies, whores, and thieves, and the only way you can make it is if you learn the dance." He smiled again, turning his eyes to the girl. "I'll light a candle for your brother tonight when I pray." He said.

"Ahh, but where was I? Oh yes, I was about to introduce myself. I'm sorry, I'm usually not this rude." he said with a chuckle. "Keats, at your service, my ladies. My services are perhaps strange, but none the less very valuable. For you see, knowledge is power, and silence is golden. If you follow my meaning, of course." He said with a sly little grin, leaning forward a bit more.

[Ryuzaki]

Ryuzaki smiled at the waitress as she brought him back a tall, cool glass of light blue liquid. He sipped it, smiling as its pleasant numbness flooded through his body, and began to read.

After a few minutes and two more drinks, Ryu got up, paid, and left. Boring islands, these...

[Ryu exit thread]

[Rogus]

A loud commotion would be heard in the crowded place. Well, a commotion louder than normal. Pirates were cursing their luck, low-lives screamed in anger, spectators cheered, and a young, charming lone thief dressed in red and yellow would be smiling victoriously. The table he was occupying was not empty, all sorts of characters sat around him, cards littered the table, having been thrown by their frustrated owners. The red-garbed thief stood and pulled the coins in the center of the table toward him, the others at the table damning him to a life of suffering.

"C'mon boys, there's always the next hand, yeah?" He'd say loud enough to be heard over the commotion. A few around the table gave him a murderous gaze, while others looked outright pitiful and defeated. Most of the players stood and left, leaving Rogus and a trio of sun-baked pirates with the piles of coin and cards. "Nothing left eh? How about that nice ring you got on there?" His grin was notieable from across the room. The pirate growled and stood up threateningly toward the thief.

"I ain't gonna play 'notha hand with ye!" The smelly pirate crowed, "Yer luck 'as been on sum'than of a streak, Arrr?"

"Maybe a bit too long, eh lads?" The other pirates stood and nodded in agreement. Rogus could see where this was going. He had cheated, but they hadn't caught him out-right. The hypocrites, he saw them trying to count the deck when it was being dealt.

"Now, now pal, let's not do anything stupid here." Rogus stood, brushing the last bit of coins into one of his three bags on his inner-most belt. He'd glance around to see if any in the room were willing to give him a helping hand. His eye caught the woman dressed in holy robes. Not her, he didn't have a good reputation with those with the faith. Her companion sitting next to her however seemed just like his type of heroine, the pretty, dangerous looking type. He'd eye her intently while keeping an eye on the approaching pirates. If she was who Rogus thought she was, surely she'd have some sense of someone watching her.

"How's 'bout you hand yer coin ova' matey. Hate to skin that purtty lil' smirk off ya' ugly mug!" The other pirates would chortle alongside their leader, all three seemed the rather stupid sort to him. He'd be able to handle the first two... a third he was unsure about. He could see he would recieve no help and threw some of the gold to the ground reluctantly, the three pirates stopped, looking at each other, not knowing what to do. Suddenly all three were at the floor grabbing for as much coin as possible.

Disgusting.

I see you boys are busy, let's play again sometime!. Rogus left the pirates do their thing and sent another grin filled gaze to the girl in green. You Could'a helped the look seemingly relayed as he left the tavern.

[Rous left thread]

[Jule]

Jule snorted and sniffled and rubbed her nose as she plopped down, which wasn't hard because of the salty sea air outside. "I'm so sorry I came with you, ah..." She blew her nose on her coat sleeve, and looked up with a hopeless expression on her face. She pieced together what she would say next; there was a reason that the cleric was so at ease here. And Jule had a feeling it wasn't because she was cleansed of impurity. "To tell you the truth, I think I have a idea who did it," she murmured and swept her bangs out of her face. "The Green Wraith, that's who I bet it was. I found this on my brother's shirt. And Jeo always said how he wanted to be a master thief, so we wouldn't have to worry about food..." Fishing around in her pockets, she pulled out a scrap of cloth from the massive wad she owned. It wasn't the color of Jule's cloak but by that point she'd forgotten what the original shade of green the "quilt" was anyway. The mottled appearance of her clothing was like a camouflage despite serving no purpose on the Isle of Mystique. It seemed to be covered in mud and hay. There was practically no greenery which probably helped keep sneak attacks to a minimum.

Completely ignoring the man named Keats who barged in, she stared down at the ripped clothing with her theatrics still going strong. "Maybe she would be on this island, but who knows?? I'm not nearly as agile as a rogue like she is." She unconsciously rubbed the goosebump on the back of her head that was almost gone from her original journey in Illia. "But it would be worth dying to see Jeo avenged," she clutched the scrap close to her heart and shut her eyes tightly. She believed the persona she had made of Jeode, but how would Sister Karen and the girl across from her at the table react?

To be honest, that girl looked shifty enough to be an assassin in her own right.

[Karen]

"I'm so sorry I came with you, ah..."

"There there, dear." Karen gently pat Jule's head, helping to calm down the disparate girl. She listened intently as Jule started to speak up again as well.

"To tell you the truth, I think I have a idea who did it," she murmured and swept her bangs out of her face. "The Green Wraith, that's who I bet it was. I found this on my brother's shirt. And Jeo always said how he wanted to be a master thief, so we wouldn't have to worry about food..."

Karen frowned at this bit of information. It was unlikely to be the Green Wraith directly, but if the cult was growing more unsavory, that could pose a problem in and of itself. Still...

"Maybe she would be on this island, but who knows?? I'm not nearly as agile as a rogue like she is. But it would be worth dying to see Jeo avenged."

"Yes, I can understand your desire, little Jule." Karen spoke again, looking down at the green scrap of cloth. It rather reminded her of the other girl's cloak from earlier, but then the cult in all shades of green. "Still, your brother would want you to live, I am sure. And going after revenge will not do you any good."

[Jya]

Jya raised an eyebrow, not sure what to think of the situation. She didn't believe she killed the girl's brother. To be honest, her body count was very low. She doubted any master thief was that high priest or one of the fighters in the arena. Perhaps he was with the Bern army people she encountered in that broken old hideout? No that wasn't quite right either.

"I, umm, sorry for your loss," Jya said gingerly. She was honestly sorry if she was the cause of his death and even worse for the fact that she can't recall a face resembling the girl's. She looked down, with a bit of shame written all over her face. She was a decent liar, but she was also childish. Maturity never quite got through to her the same way other girls her age did. For one thing, her lifestyle had made her a very solitary person.

"I wish I can help..." she began, mulling the thought over in her head.

[Jule]

"I--but, she.." The little vagrant sighed. So much for the Green Wraith. "I wouldn't be able to hurt them if they were that good, anyway. All I got's a stick," Jule mumbled and held up her weapon of choice. It looked more suited to lockpicking than fightpicking for sure. But that was okay, she hadn't picked a fight yet anyway as of that day. Being a 'thief', stealing and picking would eventually lead to brawling and scrapping with the people she'd stolen and picked from, and if she had no experience fighting, then what then? She shuddered at the thought of being cornered in a back alleyway with half a halfsword surrounded by those scary polearm militamen. "Jeo's the best fighter I've ever met in person, for sure. The first time I've ever seen him lose was today.." she snuffled.

Jule looked to the black-haired scrapper again, and noticed that she was barely taller than the scrap of cloth herself. Pretty impressive. "If you could help, at all, I'd love that. But you probably don't know anything about this stuff, and--" Jule tilted her head towards the nun. "There's no point in going on a wild goose chase..."

[Karen]

"There's no point in going on a wild goose chase..."

Karen sighed mournfully. It was a true shame they could not find her brother before this horrible turn of events, but alas. Nothing could be done now. She'd say a prayer for the departed soul later, but for now her attention was still upon the young girl that had taken up following her around.

"Whether it was the Green Wraith or not, I do not want to see you come to harm, Jule. I know that it must be painful, but you shouldn't rush into danger." And there was plenty of it on this island, make no mistake of that. "Do you want to stay still or do you want to leave?"

[Jya]

Jya almost confessed to her supposed title, but she was well aware of the possible consequences. So all she could do was pat the young girl on the shoulder.

"I'm sure you'll find her if you try," she encouraged, not sure if she was helping the situation or not.

"Or him, or it," she corrected herself, noticing her mistake. She wasn't even sure they were talking about the same people here.