㊪ Vhalar 24th, 718 ㊪
㊪ Mood: Calm, Amused
㊪ Current Thought: How troubling
㊪ Current Theme: Tsukimi
㊪ Mood: Calm, Amused
㊪ Current Thought: How troubling
㊪ Current Theme: Tsukimi
㊪ Among the many degenerates within the confines of the Lair, one would find drunks, whores, and sleazy characters of all origins. But if there was any breed of man that was more common, and even more elusive, it was the traitor, schemer, and usurper. In one such den of ill repute and debauchery, the sounds of lust, misery and liquid courage radiated the walls and ears of all around.
At the bar, a young man, who was clearly drunk off his ass, was making quite the display, bogarting his way into conversations, putting his hands where they didn't belong, and making a mockery of himself.
To some of the patrons, however, it was a rather amusing spectacle. The bartenders and vicemen where laughing not, because of the man's inebriated behavior, but because everyone who witnessed it bought it. They knew the man very well, as the overseer of the Lair informed them he would be seen in many of the various dens of vice and desires doing what he did best. Dosan, even as an amateur in acting, found playing a drunk came naturally to him. It was the best cover he had, and as it was evident of those pointing and making jokes, it was a believable ploy.
Who would suspect a drunkard to be the venomous eyes & ears of the respected Duke of the Lair after all? No one that's who, and he liked it that way, keeping his true skin hidden under the facade of a drunk underling.
It was a skin everyone had noticed, one of two that is. If he wasn't making a complete and utter fool of himself, he was just a barfly minding his own business. And if anyone asked, that's all they would learn of him, just a simple heap who happen to be in service to a Duke. Nothing more, nothing less.
At the bar, however, there were two individuals, regulars of the Lair and it's vices, that huddled together. They didn't seem suspicious in any way but had been with the den for quite some time, buying a few beers but nothing else, no whores, or drugs, nothing that was of the normality of the place, and that seemed rather off to the viper. What could have changed that they were so reserved in such limitless fulfillment?
"Hey....*hiccup* hey you two...."
the drunken servant began, clumsily flopping on to the two gentlemen an arm around each's shoulder. "Why....*hiccup* why are you not.....drink...drinking? huh? Why....*hiccup* is that?"
he slurred, looking to both of them, and was met with a chuckling and if anything a fake smile. Yeah, they were fake like the ones the nobles would give him. "We are waiting for a friend to arrive lightweight....it would be rude to start without him ya know?" the one to his left answered, his eyes looking to his friend for help. Noticing this the one on the right chirped up as well. "Yeah... we don't want to get hammered before he gets here. How about we buy you a round booze for ya? Would you like that?"
Free booze was free booze and Dosan wasn't going to pass that up, rouse or not. Nodding he smiled and the man on the right called for the barkeep and ordered a drink for Dosan. With a slurred cheer, he sat a few seats away from them at the bar and downed the shot of bourbon that was bought. With a flamboyant sigh and yawn, the faux drunk laid his head on the counter, eyes away from the two he had interrupted, and slept.
Content they had averted an annoyance the two looked around, keeping it as casual as possible. Every now and again their gazes would shift to the entrance of the den, looking out for whoever it was they were supposed to meet.
"You think he'll show?" The one of the left whispered, a look of worry and wavering nerves evident on his plain facial features. His bar-mate looked to where the barkeep was, who was looking in the cabinets for a specific ingredient for a drink and then shot a glare at the other. "Stop worrying, he'll show. I wouldn't risk our necks for anything ya know. If we do this, we'll be set for life." he assured, though the other still seemed on edge, mostly due to the poor heap not having the stomach for whatever was happening.
A break went by and nothing happened, the two were still at the bar, and the drunk Dosan was still sleeping a few seats down. It was killing him, not being able to reign in these two and ask all kinds of questions, but luckily for him, he didn't have to.
the ting of the door opening as a figure entered the cesspool of sin alerted the two on his arrival. They perked up, in a way an employee would if their boss happens to be coming, feigning to look busy as to not be scolded.
The figure approached, and the one on the right stood and held a hand out to the man, who simply looked at it and then back to the man. "I take it you two are the ones from the letter?" a deep and commanding voice inquired, quiet enough for the two in front of him to hear, but loud enough Dosan picked caught it over the normal moans and groans, grunts and roars of the den.
"Yeah we....." but he couldn't finish, the new figure waving him off as to not speak, causing the man to give a look of annoyance, but compliance as well
"Not out in the open, let's find somewhere more........private.' he suggested, though to Dosan it was more so a command then cautious advice. The two men shrugged and followed behind the man, finding one of the more private areas in the upper lounge, above all the noise and distractions of the sinful den.
Several bits later, a tap came on the counter Dosan had been sleeping on, and the almond eye viper rose, a smile fervently pinned on his features as he looked to the barkeep.
"How curious that was, I wonder what they are discussing?"
he hissed playfully, the barkeep nodding in the general direction they had gone. Nodding, his smirk getting wider, the serpent slithered from where he was and was on the hunt. The three men, now in a secluded corner of the upper lounge, were in deep discussion, and as Dosan approached he could hear their muffled words. It was discernable chatter, but the viper could hear the emotions in two of the voices. Fear? Maybe concern? no that was definitely fear, but what had them so fearful. He had to get closer and listen in, keeping his presence as a secret.
Positioning himself right where one could see individuals coming up the stone stairs, Dosan perched himself at the mid-level step crouching, his eyes looking to the throwing knife he retrieved from his person, using the reflection to see where their line of sight was. It was a useful trick he learned from his accursed mother, but in situations like this, it was something he thanked her for. Taking a deep breath, he dashed from the steps and slid his way into the shadows of a wall, just a few feet from the trio. Oh, how the shadows were his greatest ally, even if he was still getting familiar with using them.
His heart was beating faster than his lord could down liquor or drugs, and he needed to calm his excitement, using the dagger to see if they had noticed him.
"Are you sure we won't get caught? If.... if we help you?" the one voice asked, which alerted Dosan that his cover was secure, his breathing and heart rate now under his control. Now all that was left was to hear what was so important they had to separate themselves from everyone else.
"You have nothing to worry about. All you have to do is make sure our equipment makes into the city is all" the commanding voice assured
"And once we do this, we'll get our money right?" the calmer of the two chimed, concern laced on his words.
"Don't you trust me? I've paid you both up till now haven't I?" the figure asked, a sound of legs crossing over one another.
"Yeah you have", the calmer voice admitted, clasping his hands into his lap.
"Good, now let's talk about your next task after securing the gear." the robust voice began, uncrossing his legs, leaning in. "We need you to mark the pivotal areas here in the Lair. From what you say the Theocratum is barred from this place, which makes it perfect to set up shop and begin our plans on turning the tables on these nobles" he continued, chuckling at his own words.
"Of course, but why?" the nervous one asked, to which Dosan mentally agreed.
"You don't need to know that, just know its part of the plan, to stir up some trouble for the nobles," he said with another chuckle
"Ok we'll get it done" the calmer voice chimed
"Good, you brave men are helping bring a better world to your people. The blatant disparity between the wealthy and the poor has only caused your people to fall into depravity. With the plan we have in place, we will bring stability and purpose back to the people of Quacia." he ranted, and now the curiosity that spurred the viper, turned into venom for these three men.
It was obvious something that could bring upheaval to the city was on the horizon, but what was Dosan to do with such information? He'd hold on to it, but he needed more, and he was determined to get it. The three men rose from their chairs and began to move, and Dosan knew if they walked past him, he'd be in a world of trouble.
So he played the part he always played. As the three came to the wall he was eavesdropping from, the Den's resident drunk came stumbling out of the darkness and falling onto the intimidating man, by accident of course.
"Careful there young man, You shouldn't be walking around while drunk" He suggested, helping the inebriated viper to his feet. In that brief moment, Dosan took a sniff of the man and made the mental note of that scent.
"Sorry.....*hiccup* sorry about that my guy. I guess..... I *hiccup* I guess I'm not as sobe........."
he began, holding up a hand as if he felt ready to release the content of his stomach all over them. "*hiccup* as sober as I thought. i think im just going to prop myself up on the chair"
a wide exaggerated smile on his face as he slurred, watching the men make their way down the steps. Trailing at a safe distance, Dosan watched as they shook hands, the two from before returning the bar, and the "friend" making his way to the door. Almond eye narrowing at the two at the bar, he would slither to the banister of the upper lounge leaning on it for support, and keeping an eye on them. All he could do is wait, wait for them to leave and strike when they were in a less populated space. ㊪
"Speech"
