*CLANK-GROUP CHEERING!* There were tables full of different groups of people who were talking and cheering over their recent earning, tossing their cloth bags of coins onto the dense wooden tables with a thud. "Another round over here!" *Whistling/cat calls* "Wow, you're a pretty one, wanna come over 'ere and spend some time with me?" A large, burly man asked to a young waitress who was near their table. She was growing nervous as she went and cleared tables in her area."Oh come on Sweet cheeks! I got a nice seat for ya!" He said as he patted his lap. "Aye, leave the gal alone! She don't want nuthin to do wit ya. Run along miss. Pay him no mind," said a tall man who was sharing a table. The waitress nodded and scurried off to help other customers. "Why'd ya have to kill the mood brother?!" He asked the other man, who in turn, ignored him.
As the waitress scurried off she could hear the man who was just speaking with her and another man loudly arguing. "Phew.." As she crossed the threshold of the double door, she was bumped by another waiter and stumbled on her feet; a nearby cook, grabbed her before she fell and helped stand her upright. "Why are you such a clutz Sammy? Can't you keep your eyes open? If it weren't for your figure, you would be out in a sp-" the waiter suddenly stopped talking. 'I-why can't I speak..? I f-feel so..' "Scared? You were tha one who ran into Sammy, so apologize and get outta here." The cook, who was a tall, muscular, darker skinned man, wearing a dirty white apron, and slightly tattered clothes, released Sammy after she was steady on her feet. The cook never once raised his voice, but his aura and presence, was enough to stop the waiter and some of the other kitchen workers in their place. "I-I-sorry!" The waiter said before quickly running out, "Thanks, uhhmm-" "Cook," he answered before sauntering back to his post, leaving Sammy lost in thought. 'I don't think I have ever talked with him before. He looks rough but is really-' "Weren't you here to pick up an order Sammy?" She was brought back from her thoughts, after hearing Cook's deep, intimidating voice ring in her ears. "O-oh, yeah. I'm sorry guys. I'm still getting used to things here. I need.." As Sammy continued to talk, the waiter slowly inched upwards until he could see through the small window into the kitchen. He saw the giggly Sammy talking with Cook, who just as suddenly as he mentioned, his eyes darted in the waiters direction and locked on immediately. "Gahh!" The waiter was taken aback and quickly left to tend tables.
..."*sigh* Hey Boss, have you noticed how more and more people congregate here lately? We used to have some peace and quiet." A tall, thin man with dark skin asked a shorter man with an athletic build and slightly lighter skin, who was standing next to him in the bar area. The lighter skinned man was cleaning the bar with a rag and he stopped after the question, and glared at the taller man. "Ya really going to ask, Desta? You're tha one who caused this. Ya let it slip that people come here looking for unaffiliated workers. We have more guild deserters than honest guild workers now." He said before smacking Desta on the back of his head. "Ow. I'm sorry Izem-I mean, Boss. Didn't think my one off comment would attract so many..Oh look, another one of the North port moneybags showed up." Desta motioned his head over to the front entrance, where a well dressed man stood, along with a taller man in all black, on either side of him. The "moneybag" man, was looking either direction and his eyes stopped when he noticed Desta and Izem chatting at the bar.
A slow smile crossed his lips as he made his was through the crowded eatery, to get to the bar. "Well hello," the man had a smooth voice with a thick accent. As he stood infront of them, they noticed his slicked back, black hair had tufts of brown, his blue eyes shone with an eager brilliance, and even though his body was covered by the suit, anyone close enough was well aware that the man had a sturdy frame and most likely kept in good shape. He carried a briefcase and had a knife on his hip, under his coat. "How can we help you money-I mean, sir?" "Well I was in need of some..strong people to travel with me through the south island and back. No more than 3 are needed since I already have my body guards, would I be able to find someone who fits the bill here?" He asked as he slowly looked around the room, which had grown silent as he began talking; all eyes were on him. "We don't particularly like having to ask twice.." the man said in a lower tone after no one responded. "..If you are in need of services at least have the basic courtesy of introducing yourself to the owner of this establishment and its patrons," Izem said in a low, relaxed tone, which seemed to catch the man off guard.
"Where are my manners. I do apologize..it has been a long journey for my men and I to get here. My name is Drew. This voyage is to meet with a potential business partner and we will be leaving tonight. The job will last no more than 2 weeks and pays well. I require people with exceptional skills. If you have any interest in the job and if the owner of this establishment allows," he looked over to Izem who nodded once, as his way of giving Drew permission. "Great. I will be in the group area and will be accepting applicants until sundown. Please enjoy the rest of your meals and drinks." He began to walk away from the bar then stopped suddenly. "Oh, and just to show you I meant what I said about pay," he lifted his briefcase and opened it; exposing brilliant gems and coins. There will be more where this came from. Prove your self and leave a richer man than you started." Some of the people cheered and went on their way. Before Drew walked away, he paused once more and looked back at Izem. "By the way, I heard you have a good thing going with the Travel System..I am looking to set up a location of my own. Would you mind showing me some horses you are willing to part with? It can be a good investment on your end." Izem nodded and Drew walked off.
As he walked away, the groups were talking amongst themselves. The large man and his group from earlier were bantering back and forth. *Sigh* "Ya know we have plenty of coin now. We just got back, I wanna-" "Look, I am the head of tha group. It's a good opportunity and this guy seems like we could take em if needed." Both of the men reluctantly agreed and their group of 3 men, one large and burly, a tall and muscular man, and a shorter man with athletic build walked over to Drew and his men. As the men walked, their weapons clanked on their belts and against their thick canvas type pants. All the men had visible scars and tattoos on their forearms and one had what resembled a burn mark on his neck. Their hair was long and secured either in a braid or at the bast of their neck. Anyone who saw these men, knew they had been through battles and were someone not to mess with. They have only been visiting the eatery for a few months, but quickly grew a reputation as unaffiliated members, that meant business. As they made their way to the table with Drew, everyone resumed their normal activities, trying to avoid a clash with them.
"Do you think they will make it?" A patron asked Desta, who was casually waiting at the bar for Izem to finish. "They are seasoned veterans of the blade. They are capable of handling themselves against many enemies and with our horses, they are sure to get there swiftly." He looked over to Izem who was watching the group interact with Drew and his men intently. "Here ya go, Bo! First is on the house," Desta said with a smile. "You are so cheeky Dessy, but thank you. If you need someone to cover a shift later, my brother and I will be in the area for the rest of the day." Bo exclaimed with an exaggerated wave as he took the frothy mugs over to the table where his family was sitting. "Bo's a good kid. Always eager to help. His brother and sister, not..so..uh, Izem?" Desta had began talking then when he turned to where Izem was standing there was no one. "No courtesy.." He huffed just before plastering a 'customer service' smile on his face as a perky patron made her way to the counter.
As day turned to night, the patrons slowly filtered out as it was getting near closing time. *THUD* "Dessy! I need your help!" Desta was startled when he heard Bo's voice from the front of the bar. He quickly left the kitchen and hurried towards him, "What is it Bo?!" When Desta reached Bo, he looked down and noticed there was a small orange and white kitten rubbing against his ankles and rolled his eyes. "Really boy? You think it'll eat ya?" *Tch* "The kitty was dropped off with me just now. I don't know what to do with it, Dessy. I think it's hungry?" He shook his head, "Geez, had me worried for nothing. Who dropped it off?" Bo shrugged his shoulders. "Some lady with a red-ish colored hair and a black cloak..it covered most of her face so all I really saw was her mouth and part of a scar maybe." Desta paused, "..Ohh..Revna's back?" He shrugged and picked up the little kitten, and walked back to the kitchen with Bo close on his tail. "Who is Revna?? And what kind of name is that?" Dessy glared back at Bo, "She is a very important and powerful person; that is all you need to know. Revna means raven if you must know, so sometimes people will mention her as "Raven" or Revna." The little kitten was happily purring and climbing over Desta's shoulders. "Don't even think about leaving it with me. It's your responsibility," he said in a stern tone and Bo rolled his eyes then nodded.
The next morning..Desta was still asleep in his bed as Izem was preparing to leave. He finished up his breakfast, got dressed, and left for the short walk to his eatery at The Inn. When he entered the building, he noticed a presence near him and immediately became alert. "I don't have any spare coin. What do you want??" He squinted his eyes in the dimly lit room to try and find movement, but couldn'tsee anything. "He's back Izem," He froze when he heard who's voice uttered those words just near his ear. 'How did I not see her?'.."You're going to scare someone ta death one day Revna," he exclaimed with a sigh, as he watched her silhouette appear from the darkness. "I can't stay long, but you need to be cautious. It's only a matter of time before he makes his move. You and yours need to be ready.." she slowly walked to the opposite side of the room, then seemingly disappeared back into the darkness; Izem could no longer feel her presence. *Sigh* "Going ta give someone a heart attack.."
He began turning the lights on and continued with his normal morning routine. One by one the workers stumbled into the eatery. "Cook, come here a sec." Cook nodded once and sauntered over to Izem, his sandles slapping against the floor and his foot with every step. "Keep an ear out, I heard that he's back. We need to be ready to go at a moments notice." Cook straightened up and nodded. "Got it, Izem. I'll let Klien and tha others know." Izem nodded and walked off to open the doors for the day. "Izem!" Bo was eagerly waiting by the doors; Izem smiled slightly and patted his head. "Hey, I'm not a little kid ya know," he huffed as he walked in and ploped himself down in a stool at the bar. "Ha, to me ya are. Come, since you are here, help me with openin'," Bo nodded and went over to help setting up before people crowd the eatery..