"No one that I can't handle."

A roleplay transcript by Shelara Keyris and Ven-Vyzran

Ven-Vyzran stepped into the Crucible and looked around the firelit room. He nodded to a few of the less homicidal faces, and then noticed the pleasing form of a familiar Drow reclining on one of the loungers. "Shelara," he said in his rough, distorted voice, such that his tusks and thick lips made it sound more like "Shewawa."

Shelara Keyris Sits watching and listening to everyone in the crucible. Even when appearing relaxed, she was still on high alert to her surroundings. Hearing the door behind her opening and the heavy foot falls she immediately recognized it was Ven. Glancing up with a sneer "Ven! Surprised to see they still have no taste in who they allow here," she said, her voice dripping with venom.

Ven-Vyzran took a long draw on his pipe and blew white smoke in the Drow's direction. "Not surprise you here," he said, deliberately misunderstanding her comment. "Crucible known for rats." He grinned, gripping his pipe between his teeth.

Shelara Keyris' face broke out in a smile "Truer words never spoken old friend. Care to join me and catch up?" She grinned at his comment about rats, knowing too well that that was what she was.

Ven-Vyzran chuckled in a deep, resonant tone. "Of course," he said. "But need food first." So saying, he turned to move to the open fire to his left, took a bowl of whatever was stewing in a cast iron pot sitting above it, and returned to the lounger that Shelara was inhabiting. His bulk caused the wood to creak as he eased himself into it. He took a large scoop of stew in a wooden spoon and shovelled it into his mouth with a satisfied gulp. Once he'd taken a few bites of the stew, he turned to Shelara, his red eyes taking in her exquisite earrings out of force of habit. "How you?" he asked, before spooning more stew into his mouth and chewing contentedly.

Shelara Keyris Bright green eyes watched everything around her as she sat. The words of her father resonated in her mind as Ven joined her. Trust no one. Not even family. His harsh lessons had driven her from her home to seek life on the streets. "Doing well. Last job was huge pay-out. Bosses are pleased, that is all that matters. And you?"

Ven-Vyzran watched the Drow talk, listening to her answer and her careful omission of many details. She had always kept herself very guarded and he both respected and understood her. His own size and notoriety gave him a degree of protection that others who frequented this place did not have "Good," he answered to her question. "Retrieved Chalice of Ben'Vath for merchant prince. Pay-out also good." He lifted the stew bowl to his lips and drained the remainder of the liquid, then placed the bowl carefully on the floor. "Anyone interesting passed through?" he asked, casting his eyes around the room. He took the faces in more slowly this time, noting those he recognised and those he did not. Since the death of the King, the denizens of the Undercity had been restless, as though the vacuum at the top of the pile was stirring up the bottom. It troubled him. "Anyone new give you bad feeling?"

Shelara Keyris Shrugged her small shoulders. "No one that I can't handle." She gave a toothy grin. "Have heard tale of a seelie being spotted in the city. I personally have not seen it. Just tales at this point. Things have been very hush, hush since the announcement of the kings passing."

"Seelie?" Ven-Vyzran asked, his great ears twitching at the word. "Trouble." The comment seemed to be everything that he had to say on the matter of the dark fae. He drew his leg up onto the lounger and laced his fingers together behind his head. Then, apparently deciding to continue his thought: "Seelie know secrets. Seelie know treasure troves." He fell silent again, his eyes looking up at the mural of the stars on the ceiling above the pool in the centre of the room. "Hear of any treasure?" he ventured hopefully. In truth, the Chalice had not earned his crew as much as he'd promised, so he'd topped up their take from his own pocket. Not a great hardship, but not something he was happy about.

Shelara Keyris nodded her head to Ven's comment about the seelie. Dark fae were cunning and conniving. While she could understand this and in a small way admired that about them, she did avoid them, as they were trouble to deal with in her experience. "Did overhear pirates chatting in the Rat's Den about a ship they are after. They seem very excited about it. Not my cup of tea mind you."

Ven-Vyzran scratched his heavy blue chin. "Not thief," he said, slight irritation in his voice. "Well, not from living. Only steal from dead." He thought about this for a moment, satisfied with its morality. Of course it wasn't quiet true. In tough times, the Seekers had been known to steal from the living, but it had never sat well with Ven-Vyzran. "You with crew yourself?" he asked, unable to remember whether Shelara operated alone or with others.

Shelara Keyris Tilting her head a bit as she over heard the mention of a possible score but as her ears picked up bits of the conversation realized it was about a past mission. "I prefer to work alone but if the payout promises something profitable I will work with others. If they know what they are doing."

Ven-Vyzran nodded. "I like having crew," he said in response to her words. "Got your back. My back easy to hit." A chuckle rumbled up from his chest in amusement at his own joke. "If Seeker's ever need your skills, I ask, OK?"

Shelara Keyris Nods her head. Being small and trim framed had it advantages. Ven was big and strong but she could move fast and even hide in places most could not. She did not have a problem with killing others, she herself had killed many in her day. Killing another should in her opinion be for protection or revenge. "But of course. A extra bit of coin does come in handy."

Ven-Vyzran nodded in satisfaction. "Good," he said. He stretched his long arms and sat forward on the lounger. "Need to go," he said, picking up his bowl and getting to his feet. As he turned to go, he recalled that Shelara and he shared a mutual friend that he'd heard was in Ansa`fel. "You see Silver," he said, looking at the Drow, "tell her I look for her. Heard she in city."

Shelara Keyris Eyes look up as Ven stands then her brows arch at the mention of Giseles code name. "I have not seen her but I will keep an eye open and if I do, will let her know. Take care my old friend."

Ven-Vyzran nodded. "Thank you, Shelara," he said. He strode to the pool and washed out the bowl, then returned it to the pile by the fire. He tossed a couple of coins to the cook and headed out of the Crucible and into the alleys beyond.