Saun 20 718
Location: The Buckle and Chain
A place much like the Buckle and Chain had a few resemblances to Rharne but in mixed quantities, the bar itself was a stellar setting quite similar to home but the company however... they were more fitting of the Dust Quarter that Patrick remembered. Not that those types weren't fun to be around to be sure, just that one had to watch themselves or they were liable to get shived for just the wrong look. The Rharnian had all he needed packed and ready to return to Scalvoris town, since this place was his last stop to visit in Almund, all thanks to the favor that came through during his stay at Nellies. The woman had a way of getting information apparently as in just the few days she'd been given, she'd managed to find a trace of a trail for Patrick to follow.
And follow it he did.
Upon taking a seat the barmaid he'd been told was named Tilda looked at him for a moment, her attention occupied with a few of the other men down the bar. Soon after the scene out on the floor erupted into rambunctious shouting, and then in turn a brawl unfolded between a few of the rowdy locals here. The owner hardly seemed phased with it though, something which catered a smirk out of Patrick as he turned to watch. He couldn't help but purse his lips at one of the blows traded, and then briefly laugh a little when he saw empty glasses fly around and shatter in other places. "Alrigh' that's it, out wit' ya! No more!" The ginger beckoned sharply as a couple of onlookers stepped in to stop the rabble, and just like that the fight was over just as soon as it started to escalate.
"What can I get ya?" The cheeky broad then inquired as she took to approach Patrick finally, a elbow planted onto the bar as she leaned into it. Patrick turned to meet the barkeeper's gaze with warm eyes, but a soft and vacant smile at best. He observed her briefly which she noticed, and for that moment they stared at one another he narrowed his eyes.
"What's the strongest drink in your inventory?" He checked with her in a casual tone.
"Oh Immortals. You're the one Nellie said was comin', should'a known the moment I laid eyes on ya." Tilda sighed as she turned to start fixing a drink, even with just a vague question provided on his behalf. Just as the redhead turned around Patrick placed down a few gold pieces for the mug, aware that he might've been a bit over on the charge when he saw the mug. "I take it you're here fer more than just the drink." She guessed as she laid the mug down and slid her hand off the bar with money in tow.
"You guessed it." He remarked with a grin as he sipped the mug, eyebrows rose as the taste of whiskey washed over his tongue. Tilda seemed to laugh a little as she leaned once more into her bar.
"So is it true then? You're the Rharnian who's as good as he says he is." She chided him with a casual remark of her own, more than likely word spread to her from Nellie herself.
"Keep watch and I might just do a trick." His joke didn't stir a reaction, merely annoy her a little as she straightened her posture.
"What do ya want Rharnian?"
"I'm sure our mutual partner told you, or maybe even hinted as to why I'd be here." He guessed with a wry smile as he sat the mug down, his arms crossed as he watched her amused with narrow eyes. Suddenly it seemed like the game all over again, just with more staring as he tried to get under her skin. He wanted to drive the woman crazy, to go made because her confidence wouldn't shake him. "Tell me about Finch and Poppy." Suddenly it became clearer to her but then mystery, because why on Idalos would a Rharnian be looking for two native gamblers who made themselves scarce?
"Couldn't tell ya love," she chided to him once more with a snarky grin, "those two like to hide out when they've outdone themselves."
Patrick looked to the side a little troubled but still held a soft form of a smile. "So in other words they're not around here."
"No. Odds are they'll come croppin' up again in a few seasons, and gamble away yet again 'til nothin's left." She remarked with another lean onto the bar. "That all then love?" Patrick leaned back a little and looked into her eyes once more.
"Not quite," He remarked as he took another sip from his mug, "say I were to pay you in some way... would you notify me when they're in town again? Maybe even figure out where they're going next time?"
"And what's in it for me?" She posed and watched to test him, but of course Patrick just sat there quiet for a moment. What could he give her for such trivial favors? Gold didn't seem to be the thing she wanted, otherwise she'd have bargained for it from the start. Sure enough he looked past her towards the door, likely where the kitchen or maybe her office area was. He looked back to her and then past her once more, and with her brown eyes narrowed she finally gave in to follow the stare. "Really?!" She detested so quickly with almost a tilt of her nose.
"You asked." Patrick remarked with just another smirk shot to her, another sip of his whiskey taken as though he worried little over the matter. She scoffed and moved off to serve a couple of the other men, who'd looked at Patrick with speculation as she started to make a few more drinks. Probably too bold of a move here if many of the men deferred to jumping any outsiders, any of those who might've considerably 'harassed' the lady the way he did. Sure enough after several bits; the sound of her heels clicked against the wooden floor as she passed him, and with a knowing glance shot at him she walked into the room beyond the door. With an invitation as subtle as that he waited a moment, drank down the majority of his whiskey for measure, and then nonchalantly moved towards the door to slip into the shared privacy between them.
The sun shone on the docks brightly as the heat of Saun beamed down over Almund. The smell of salted filth and sea creatures hauled from the sea, which proved to be a very pungent aroma when one wasn't used to it. Nevertheless Patrick walked modestly tall with bag in tow over his shoulder, ready to put a little distance between him and this sketchy side of town. He didn't find what he hoped to discover here but there were clues at least, and now with a little bit of influence maybe he'd catch wind of their return. Needless to say it was certainly fun playing a minor role in this town, Nellie certainly took a liking to him in the several days he'd stuck around. He even brought a good small amount of business in while there, thanks to the new intrigue that was "The Rharnian" name he carried with him.
It certainly started to turn out in his favor for sure, if someone as stout as Tilda didn't seem as reserved as she tried to be. Even now he could remember the smell of honeydew in her perfume, a rather favorable scent given the fond memory of the fun he had in her office. Patrick honestly would've much liked to smell that now, rather than the nasty dump the piers seemed to be just in the way of smell alone. Finally once the ferry seemed ready to ship out, it soon became a slow and steady trip back out across the waters. Yet Patrick knew he'd be coming back to this city one day, mostly because he still had a date with destiny eventually. Finch and Poppy were somewhere out there, and the moment Patrick knew where; he'd be hot on the trail to track them down. He'd find that necklace wherever he could, and hopefully in the long run...
Save his brother.
