Rangers in Foreign Lands - RPLOG

Participants

• Cassidy
• Cirra
• Fenris
• Natska
• Peter

Date

21/5/479

Log

It's early noon in Firmament, and it is warm today. The warmth is not helped in the least by the light rain that patters down upon the city. While it might cool things a little, it also makes the air thick and muggy, but business must go on. A trading ship has arrived in the docks today and while that is not an unusual thing in this city, it has brought with it a visitor looking for Freeswords to handle a job. Seated on a crate near the docks is a tall Panda being, his leaf green cowl tugged up against the rain while he idly carves away at a scrimshaw, awaiting any interested business partners.

Fenris saunters down the docks, humming idly to himself. He is back in his familiar stripes and his familiar, long, black coat. It hangs open today and he has returned to the sleeveless look as a concession to the muggy heat, his fluffy white chest exposed. The big tiger saunters up to the panda and shoves his hands deep in his pocket. "i heard there was a job to be had around here?" he asks with a smile.

Natska is not far behind, drawn from the relatively more comfortable confines of the Freesword's tavern by talk of a potentially interesting job. The jaguar is fully armed and in her armor, with a thin cloak with the hood pulled up to ward against the rain. She gives Fenris a small smile as she spots the tiger, then inclines her head towards the panda.

Given that the meeting place is not far from where she lives and works, Cirra is not too far behind the others as she approaches. While it may be hot and muggy, she seems to be enjoying the wetness. New to most folks present though, would be a brand in the shape of a blacksmith's hammer on her caudal fin. She gives a wave to the jaguar. She may be less haeavily armored, but she is no less prepared.

Peter strides along the docks with folder arms, nose wrinkled in disgust at the poor weather combined with the docks being the docks. The little chipmunk is dressed in his usual business attire, though it seems one part of his kit has gotten an upgrade, with some crystals studding the holt of his sword now visible. He arrives in front of the panda rather quickly, stopping and turning on his heel to face their business partner. He opts to avoid talking just yet, instead nodding in agreement with the tiger. He also takes some time to look the jaguar and the shark over, chewing his lip with a hint of anxiety from being around all these strangers.

"Aye, that I do!" The gruff being replies, shoving his hunting knife back into the sheath on his chest. "My apologies for being so vague in the job posting. I couldn't risk the wrong people knowing. Well, wrong person. As far as I know, he's alone on this." He reaches into his satchel for a moment and pulls up a roll of parchment and opens it before the group, depicting a wanted posted with the rough sketch of a robin being on it. "Meet Gerald. This fine being here stole something precious from the wrong people and skipped town. Naturally, they want it back. And him. And unfortunately, I have no authority here," he says, setting the parchment away again. "That's where you come in. If you would, I'd have you seek him out within town for me and... Lure him outside the town gates. How you go about this is your business. Use your wily tongues or drag him out, your call. But alive. I'm not here for bodies."

Fenris looks over the Panda's clothing and raises an eyebrow. "Your an Auroon Manhunter," he says with surprise, "You are a very long way from home, my friend. This Gerald must have taken something impressive if you have followed him all the way to Firmament." He examines the wanted poster, giving a greeting nod to Natska, Cassidy and Cirra. There would be time for reunions later. "Any idea where he might be?" the tiger asks.

Natska raises her eyebrows at the mission, then nods her head and spends a moment studying the sketch. "Mmmm... fortunately I do not recall seeing too many feathered beings of that plumage. Do you suspect he has been attempting to sell his goods? Or is he hiding?"

Cirra frowns to herself, looking over her gear. Looks like she's definitely going to be improvising a lot. She shrugs a bit, content to see what the others are going to do. She herself has the same questions as the others, so she doesn't feel the need to try to get someone to speak for her.

Peter peers at the robin in the image, nodding along with the large panda as he explains his situation. The others do seem to be doing a good job of speaking for the group, and so he shuffles over beside Cirra, lowering his folded arms and giving her a nod and a quick & quiet "Hello ma'am."

The Panda snorts and nods at Fenris. "That's our job. We go where the guard cannot," he says, before looking out over the city. "And I know not where he'd be. I've not been to this city before. Wherever fugitives go, I suppose," he shrugs, leaning back and propping one leg over the other. "If I had to guess, he's trying to sell it. Monastic artifacts probably fetch a high price to those that know what they are. I certainly doubt he has any personal connection to it. If he did, he'd probably have respect enough not to steal it."

Fenris stares. Monastery artifacts out of Auroon. "Are you sure he doesn't have a death wish?" the tiger asks, "And how did he even get it out? Are we expecting a fight?" He looks to the others and scratches at the thick fur on his chest, fiddling with the large, ornamental pendant he wears. "The Pig might be the best place to start," he says. If only Natska had been on this mission with him, he might have tried some. . . alternative methods of information gathering, but with the others involved, he would have to limit himself.

"Mmmhm. The Pig would be a good start, I think, and the other taverns near there," Natska agrees. "Even if he had run to ground in the Shanties, he'd need to do some networking to try and find a buyer." She turns back to the panda and bows her head. "We will track him down, sir. And may I ask your name?"

Cirra gives a short wave and sings to the chipmunk, not expecting him to understand. <I can't talk. My apologies. I am Cirra Stormborn.> She looks to the others, curious why Fenris seems to be fidgeting. She waits for the others to move out.

Peter nods in agreement at the suggestion of checking the pig, the chipmunk growing more uncomfortable by the minute in the poor weather. "We're gonna git 'um," he murmurs in agreement with the Jaguar, giving Cirra a curious look at her signing. He furrows his brow and tilts his head, waving his hands in vague gestures in return. "I don't know how to talk with my hands, sorry," he says before stopping his gesticulating.

"He's a good thief. This isn't the first time," The Panda says, slipping off the crate and landing with a thump of his boots. "But he's never taken anything so significant. He's... I suppose you would say he's one of the ones that does it for the 'sport.' Chasing ever bigger scores. Well, this time he's gone too far with it. I am Poro," he introduces, bowing and tugging his cowl up further before scooping his large crossbow from where it was resting against the crate. "If you find him, bring him to the edge of the forest," he says, patting the knife on his chest. "Look for this knife in a tree. That will be the spot. Bring him there and I will take care of the rest."

Fenris nods solemnly to Poro, then turns to the others with a huge grin. "Well," he says, "No worries, then! Shall we?" The tiger stuffs his hands into his coat pockets and saunters away, stopping from time to time to chat briefly with sailors on the docks or people in the streets. This would certainly be easier with Amos's contacts, but his own might do the job. He looks over his shoulder at Peter and Cirra. "Cirra is just saying hello, Mister Pitkin," he calls, "And lamenting the fact that you don't sign! Good to see you again, Cirra!"

Natska turns to give Cirra and Peter smiles, glad to have them along on the job, then falls in after Fenris. "Mmhm! It is great to be working with you again, Cirra. And I don't believe we've met, mister Pitkin? I am Natska Solacious."

Cirra nods as Fenris covers for her with the newcomer, flashy a slightly too toothy grin. She's no good at tracking in her current state, but wishes she could get more information about the artifact. She taps Fenris, pointing to the panda. <Can you ask him what the artifact is in particular? I want to know what to look for if he's already pawned it.>

Peter listens to the panda's explanation and nods. "Sounds no good," he adds quietly, having very little to contribute in terms of actual planning and mission work. He's quick to follow after Fenris, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword and the other on his hip as he marches off to follow him. He bows his head to Fenris as he provides an explanation, giving Cirra big grin. "Hello to you too ma'am, and I apologize!" He doesn't seem to notice the use of his name until Natska says it as well, the young chipmunk furrowing his brow. "How come you know me?" He is quickly distracted again by Natska's name, however, improving his posture tenfold and his marching becoming much more military at the mention of Solacious. "Oh, gee! An honour to meet you my lady!" He stops to bow, scurrying to catch up after. "Peter Pitkin at your service!" He glances aside to Cirra as she signs, but lts out a little sigh, unable to understand.

If anyone had further questions for the burly bear, they'd have to come soon! He already seems to be on his way to prepare for whatever he had planned. And Fenris has no trouble striking up a conversation with the dockworkers, it seems, and an observant being might catch a couple of points towards Mange Square.

Fenris laughs pleasantly at Peter's surprise. "I guessed right, then!" he says, producing a sealed letter, "Friend of yours asked me to deliver this. Elephant answering to Igor? He took over for me on a caravan passing through Firmament." The tiger passes the letter to Peter, then turns to Cirra. "Should have thought of that myself!" he says, shaking his head. "Poro!" he calls, "What did he take?" The tiger waits just long enough for an answer, slipping a coin or two to some friendly tale tellers, then leads the way to Mange Square. "My firends back there claim they saw him," he explains, "Probably hoping to fence it with the thieves' guild. . ." He looks nervously around at his companions. "I don't suppose any of YOU have memberships?" he asks.

Natska shrugs her shoulders at Fenris. "I've done business with them in the past, but no, I never joined. Strictly professional. And I only just heard your name now, from Fenris, mister Peter." She gives him a bow, then looks at Fenris, pondering. "I imagine you have some friends of friends there... but we can do well enough on our own. Let's make haste. Perhaps we could even pose as potential buyers."

Cirra is thankful She caught fenris in time to ask about the item. She shakes her head at talk of the Thieves' Guild. Not her. Talk about spirits, talk about religion, talk about military and archaeology, but the underbelly of the city? Not where she's been. She signs to Peter, noting his name with the signs for pit and family, given what his name means and proper names don't translate well in sign.

"Yes sir, I'm quite the master criminal if I do say so myself," Peter says sarcastically, folding up the envelope enough tostuff it away into one of his belt bags for later reading. "I'm glad Yegor never died!" He glances over to Natska, and give her yet another bow, in return for hers. "You don't need to call me mister Peter my lady, just Peter's good." At the continued signing from Cirra, the munk attempts to imitate her, clumsily repeating his own name in sign language. "What'sat?" he asks, wrinkling up his nose as he idly repeats the gesture again whilst following along.

Poro pauses, glancing over his shoulder. "A sword. The sword of one of the city's founders," he answers. "I am sure you'd recognize it if you saw it. Silver hilt, jade inlays, curved blade. Hard to miss amongst all the straightswords you're likely to see out here."

There's no way a person could mistake a Jadeland ceremonial sword with a local tool. "Well," Fenris sighs, "I guess we will just have to do the best we can." He looks at Peter with a little smile. "I think it is a sign for your name," he says in answer to his question, "But I'm sure she will refine it later. And your Yegor seemed very much alive when I saw him." The tiger then pushes the door of the disreputable tavern, The Diseased Pig, and slips inside. The tiger hunches up in his coat as he walks, his movements becoming shifty. Even his face seems to change, appearing older and more weathered. The tiger would probably be amazing on stage he does not seem like himself at all. He slips up to the bar and starts to talk briefly with the bartender. "Gotta see Todd, Mangle," he says, "I gotta buyer looking for something exotic."

Natska follows Fenris into the Pig, pulling her cloak closer around herself. She doesn't go up to the bar herself; rather the jaguar lurks in the background, near enough to Fenris to keep him in earshot.

Cirra nods about how she was signing his name and she decides to wait outside the bar. No need to spook the mark if it isn't needed. She is a bit annoyed that she only has what is to her a barebones description, having never been to the state in question.