Of Wine and Women [Closed]

It was a simple task that Shuba had done many times for him. He already knew Reyth was due back this afternoon and that her first three jobs went well and often times she was ahead of schedule. So he wasn't really guessing when he told Shuba that when Reyth came back this afternoon that he wished to see her. He made it a point to have him inform her that he wished to see her after she had time to put her things away and settle in. Arawn only hoped that was a subtle enough hint for the woman to get cleaned up and wear something other then her usual drab attire.

Sitting down at his desk, a glass of red liquid not far from his fingertips as a pen occupied his other hand. He made it a point to take out the second chair in front of his desk and in its stead was the small table with the silver tray with various bottles atop it. By now he knew she couldn't pass up a drink, and perhaps it would make things go smoother then the last time they spoke about contracts.

"The boss wants to see you."

Reyth looked at the Amani in surprise. After all, she had just walked through the door. Raising a brow, she cocked her head suspiciously.

"What for?"

He shrugged, continuing his work of wiping the counter. "Why would I know? Said to get yourself situated then go on up."

The suspicious expression intensified. Get myself situated? What does that mean?

"I'll just go now." Not waiting for a reply from Shuba, she went for the stairs.

The thought of cleaning herself up hadn't even crossed her mind, although maybe it should have. Her leathers were speckled and stained with dirt and blood, her bow still hanging off her shoulder. It wasn't that she trying to be openly defiant about her appearance, but the request was so surprising that she figured it to be an emergency. Despite Shuba's insistence that it wasn't.

She couldn't help but worry that maybe she had screwed one of her jobs up and he was going to admonish her for it. It didn't seem likely, but what else could the reason be? Still frowning, she knocked on Arawn's closed office door.

Looking up as he heard his doors being knocked upon. He thought it was Reyth but it should have taken her a bit longer to get cleaned up and in a change of clothes. His brother wouldn't have knocked but just entered and Voriel he knew was with Alek.

"Enter"

Was the only word he spoke, as he watched whomever it was slowly open up his office doors and take a step in before closing it behind them. He groaned in his mind, shook his head and put the palm of his hand to his face. Arawn thought he told Shuba to inform her that she could settle before seeing him. Instead it looked like she hadn't bathed in several days, the bits of dried blood and crusted on mud did little to help her cause.

"Ah, Reyth. Shuba should have informed you that you had time to settle in and freshen up before we were to meet."

He would have to get his chair cleaned, not a task that could be done so quickly out here in Cutthroat as the proper personal usually stayed within the confines of the larger cities.

"But since you're already here, do sit down and help yourself to a drink."

She saw the obvious distaste on the Castanic's face as he mentioned getting 'freshened up,' and groaned internally. She'd forgotten how much fashion and appearance meant to the other members. Something she wasn't sure she would ever get into a habit of liking or doing.

When he offered the seat and drink, she absent-mindedly ran a tongue over her lips. A drink did sound tempting, but it was still early, to start now...Who knew where the night would lead. Silently, she took the chair, but only glanced at the bottles.

"I'm alright for now." She couldn't help but glance around nervously. "So, why am I here? Is there a problem or something?"

She racked her mind trying to think of why he asked her up here. After their little contract negotiation, Reyth had done her best to avoid any prolonged conversations. Being back in the office was a reminder of how she had shot herself in the foot.

Taking a drink from his own glass before setting it back down on the wooden surface of his desk, his eyes watched every little bit of movement from her. From their last encounter he knew any length of silence made her somewhat uncomfortable, so he made it a point to take longer then normal before he started speaking again.

"No problem."

Sitting back in his chair as he reached for his glass again. A smirk playing on his lips as he thought how nervous she must be, and how much fun he was having watching her. There were no doubts about it, he was an ass, but he had his fun when it presented itself, and thus entered Reyth.

"Actually, it's the opposite, you've done so well that I have yet another job for you. Oh ah, before I forget, your last job the peddler you escorted included a tip for you."

Opening a locked drawer on the desk he pulled out a leather pouch that jingled with the sound of coin as he handled it. Putting it on his desk and pushing it towards her.

"The company's percentage has already been subtracted, not including the tip as that was never discussed nor agreed upon in your contract. So any and all tips that a customer sends for services received are fully seen into your pocket."

She knew Arawn found her actions amusing, it wasn't difficult to miss that smirk on his features. He enjoyed teasing her, which in turn made Reyth all the more anxious. She wanted to seem relaxed and yet always failed miserably at pulling it off.

A scowl darkened her features at the mention of the company's percentage, but it was quickly replaced by surprise when he pushed the untouched tip bag towards her.

"Well, then." She reached for it. "Guess that means I better start working extra hard for those tips."

She tossed the small pouch into her satchel, not even bothering to count it. With a relieved glance, she gestured. "So, is that all?"

Rubbing his chin as he watched her...she didn't even count it, either she was too trusting or she was too nervous to do it in front of him.

"No, I just wanted to see how you were doing, if the accommodations were to your liking."

Shifting in his chair he couldn't stay silent about the subject any longer.

"You know, we do have a tailor that can help you, I thought I mentioned that in our first meeting."

She shrugged, running a hand through her hair. "Accommodations are fine. Better than I originally thought."

It was the truth, she had actually adapted quite nicely to her room. It was a relief to know she had someone to sleep each night, instead of trying to haggle with barkeeps about their room rates.

She blinked when Arawn mentioned the tailor, glancing down at her well worn leathers. Her first words were quick and sharp. "You didn't."

But after a moment more of silent pondering, she shook her head. "Why does it matter why I wear so long as I get the job done?"

"Hmm"

He thought back to their first meeting, maybe he didn't so much as mention it but thought it to himself.

"I believe you're correct, this is the first time mentioning the tailor. And I do so because bathing and dressing in clothing that doesn't fall into the category of 'rags' is what sets us apart from the many other companies out there."

Letting his words reach her before continuing.

"For example, if you needed to hire for a job of protecting a shipment of fine fur, would you hire the man who wears clothing that just hangs from his body and smells of pig shit, or would you hire the other man who actually cares about his appearance because he knows that it reflects upon the company itself."

Sitting up as he reached for the bottle on his desk, filling his own glass before offering some to her.

She blushed furiously at his assessment of her 'rags' and general appearance. It was no shock that she was... 'lacking' in the appearance department compared to their other members, both in finery and physical assets, but she never thought of herself as destitute.

Without missing a beat, she quickly replied. "I'd hire the one who gets the job done."

She waved his drink offer away, and reached over to the table next to her, grabbing the closest bottle and pouring it into a glass. Still seething, she gulped the drink down and poured another one.

After finishing that glass, she finally met his eyes once again. "Unless your precious contract pays for said tailor and clothes, I am afraid we are an impasse my dear boss."

Taking a sip from his glass, nodding as he placed it back down.

"Yes, but how do you know which will get the job done better? You have to go on first impressions, and you see that's the thing with first impressions Reyth. You only get one."

Standing up and making his way to the windows, opening a few before leaning against the window frame, arms folded into his chest as he tapped on his chin.

"I could see to it that your first three visits to the tailor would be done on the companies coin, only if you sought to remain in such clothing from here on out."

She slammed her empty glass on the table and stood up from her chair, straightening her back

"This..." She sputtered, pointing at him. "This is ridiculous! What do I care about first impressions? Don't these people meet with you officers first? It's not as if I am out there soliciting jobs. Do you expect me to go prancing around in heels and a thong?"

Her frustration was apparent. On one hand she knew she had no right to argue with him. After all she was working for them. But on the other she felt singled out and ridiculed. Unfortunately for both them, her self pride would win over common sense any idea.

"Tell me Arawn." She continued. "Do you try to make everyone feel inferior, or am I just special?"

Raising an eyebrow as he stood and heard her objections.

"While I'm sure you would look rather nice in just heels and a thong, I don't line up those types of contracts for you. Unless..."

Looking at her with some form of amusement in his eyes.

"You'd like me to."

Walking around to her and circling her chair as he looked down at her.

"Do you often get angry at those who hire you and offer you fine clothing? I could care less if you were fully clothed from head to toe, as long as you look respectable. Onyx Rose doesn't hire or employee rift raft, and I didn't take you as such. Tell me Reyth, was I wrong in that assessment?"

She listened silently, her eyes never leaving him as he circled her. He found this funny and why wouldn't he, she was acting like a fool. His words were a slap back to reality. Arawn was right, and it pained her to admit so, especially after her impassioned speech against him.

"No." She admitted quietly. "You were not wrong."

She resisted the urge to reach down and grab the bottle from the table and instead pinched the bridge of her nose between her gloved fingers.

Taking a breath, she dropped her hand and faced him. "I will pay for my own tailoring. And Arawn, if the time ever comes where you consider me for prostitution, I highly suggest you write out a will."

Circling one final time before making his way back into his own chair, a smile on his face.

"Great! Ready for your next job then?"

And just like that, the exchange was over. He was seated again, and she was left standing, wondering if the conversation had even happened at all.

Shaking her head, she fell back into the seat, and poured another drink, nodding while she brought the glass to her lips.

Giving out a slight laugh, she shrugged. "Go ahead, Im all ears."

Hands on each arm rest, leaning back and enjoying the cool breeze from the opened windows. The afternoon was all but coming to a close as evening was taking over the day. The sun was starting to set and he would need to light the room if he didn't wrap up this business soon.

"Not unlike your last job, this too is an escort job and a short one at that; only from Lumbertown to Crescentia. What you will be escorting is..."

Looking down at his desk and picking up the piece of parchment in front of him as he read down the list.

"Eight children ranging in the ages from three to nine, four cats ages unknown, two dogs ages unknown, a bird approximately five years old and two women who call themselves priestesses and prefer not to list their age."

Finishing the list as he set it back down and look over at her.

"You are to be in Lumbertown tomorrow afternoon, I have already scheduled the tailor to meet you tomorrow morning at 8am and I have you booked on an 11am Pegasus trip to Lumbertown. You'll find the details already in your room along enough coin for the trip."

Reyth blinked once, then again. She glanced around the room, as if looking to see if someone was behind her, before cocking her head to the side.

"My apologies, but did you just say eight children?" She smiled uncertainly, but her hand gripped she held so tightly she feared it would shatter. "Surely this is just twisted joke, right?"

This is a nightmare. She told herself. He hit me or something when I threatened him, and now I am dreaming. It has to be, else I might throw myself out that window.

Leaning over his desk and glancing at the document again to double check.

"That's correct, eight. I said eight didn't I?"

Laughing as he waved a hand in the air.

"I might have said their ages first or something, so I hope you got all that down."

He's not kidding. This isn't a joke. The horrifying realization slowly dawned on Reyth, making her stomach churn violently. Eight kids? None above the age of ten? Their pets?

"You have to be kidding me." She shook her head so had that the act made her dizzy. "Alone? You expect to me escort a parade by myself? With animals!?"

It couldn't happen, wouldn't happen. And even if it did... She tried to think of the easiest and safest way to get them to their spot. It wasn't so much that she was worried about enemies... No, in this case the group was it's own worst enemy.

"This is punishment isn't it." She shakily poured herself another drink. "You are getting back at me for refusing to wear a dress or something?"

Picking up a map of the area and looking at the distance between the two cities and what encounters that may come up.

"I don't see how this can be difficult."

With the map still in front of him he looked over the desk at her.

"Arrangements have all been made, this is an easy well paying job, think of it as a reward for all your hard work."

Putting the map back down on his desk as he reached for his drink, before taking a sip he mumbled something quickly.

"Ohandtheydontwantyoutodrinkwhileonthejob."

Her drink paused midair, and one of her brows lifted. Despite her desperate nature, she actually managed to smile at him, a clear winning smile, that was no doubt surprising to see.

"Well lucky for them, I don't drink while working." She lifted her glass out towards him, as if giving a toast. "Only when dealing with people like you."

The smile vanished behind the cup and she focused back on the problem. "Its not a difficult task at glance, however with kids it will be like herding cats."

She snorted and rolled her eyes. "But look who I'm talking too. I'm sure your only experience with children is when you steal their candy from them."

Smiled as he took a sip from his glass, happy that she didn't throw the bottle at him after mentioning the non drinking.

"I'm not that bad, I wouldn't steal candy from children."

Putting his now empty glass on the desk he looked at her with a straight face.

"There's really no profit to be made in half eaten candy you know."

She couldn't help herself, she laughed. Whether he meant it as an actual joke or not didn't matter. The solemn look on his face, the serious tone, she couldn't help herself.

Her laughter was short lived however, at the thought of what tomorrow would hold. She longingly eyed the bottle, but new dealing with all that plus a hang over would only be hurting herself.

Giving low sigh, she began to peel off her gloves, all the while speaking. "Well, this has been most enlightening. I apparently look and smell like a beggar and I have to orchestrate a circus tomorrow. Is there any other wonderful news you'd like to give me before I go ask Shuba for a noose?"