Gentleman's Night on the Town (E 1.6, L 1.8)

"Good thinking, Merlin." I reach inside of my jacket and pull out a few coins, handing two piles to both Merlin and Javan. "Try to spread to different crowds so we don't double-up. I'm going to stay put for a bit and observe. Perhaps the Gray Wing will light up our path."

I'm sure if they let me help out here, I'll be able to get both access and information that I need - it's at least worth a shot. I take a couple big gulps of the swill and stand up. My options to start with seem to be Dakota, the grump behind the bar, or the old woman rushing from table to table. The way others seem to behave when she nears their table tell me she receives more respect than anyone else I see.

I speed up to walk beside her on her way back toward the kitchen as she swings an empty serving board. I'm not sure if she is trying to dry it off a little, keep others out of her way, or working some feeling back into her digits. "You seem busy tonight miss." I smile at her. "You should let me help you."

"That's right." I reply to the Rafter girl's first question. While she prattles on, I try not to wrinkle my nose. Rafters all smell like they waded straight out of the sewers. Of all the gangs in this town, the Rafters are the dren on the bottom rung of the ladder. They'll take any job, with no thought to any higher purpose. They would betray one of their own for a shot of piss-whiskey. I loathe the Rafters. But...they often have good information to sell. I suppose all creatures have their purpose.

So Lucky has her for good, eh? I wonder if she'll become one of them. Helix belonging to the Sippians might actually make some things easier. For starters, she might be more amenable to another offer to come with us to the Roost. Or maybe her I can pay Lucky to take her off his hands. Everyone has a price. His mother and I weren't exactly friends, but sometimes cordial business partners, when our goals aligned. Strange though it may seem, I trusted her word when she made a deal and never questioned whether she would double-cross me. I don't know if the boy holds to that same integrity. I guess we will have to see.

"Thanks for tip." I tell the girl, before standing up and motioning to Merlin. "Drink's all yours." I say to the Rafter, nodding to the mostly-untouched tumbler on the tabletop.

This woman is clever and has wide perspective. She must be Blackjack, the one Litch mentioned is the owner here. I lean into the door with my arm relieving her of its weight, and move in stride with her as she enters toward the kitchen.

"The name is Syd, and I don't need to be on the payroll. If you're open to taking a very low risk gamble, I'm curious to challenge your notion and simply see if folks would be willing to tip more if you had someone delivering drinks quickly."

What is Helix to me? Damned if I truly know. I haven't been given much to go on, but the Gray Wing has imparted to me that she holds a powerful significance for our world. She's a door through which we might escape a future calamity. A cypher to unlock a mystery. "She's the key." Is what I say aloud, more to myself than to Titicaca.

I look down from my reverie to the beer-soaked face of the manic-looking girl. "Who is the dumbest Sippian?"

Not for one hundred pieces of jingle. My mind recoils from the image. I imagine Merlin feels a similar way. Titicaca has the look of one who drank too much sea water. Like Harpy. We've had enough of that sort to last a lifetime. And this one was never the beauty that Harpy was. Plus...she's a Rafter. "Some other time, perhaps."

Karo and Bristol. They might be targets to manipulated. Alternatively, I could go straight to the top. See what Lucky Strike is truly made of. My sense of honor is pushing me toward the latter option, but it makes me feel more confident to carry alternatives in my back pocket. Like a hidden blade, options provide at least the illusion of security.

"Javan." I call him over, turning away from the table and toward the exit. "You know more about the city's nightlife than I do. Where else would the Sippians mingle, if not here?"

I tilt my head to the side as I meet Javan's eyes. "Oh? For the strength of his liver or...for other reasons?" The question is mostly rhetorical. The answer is likely both. Jack knows how to read a room and deliver what his target desires most in that moment. "I guess we're going bar-hopping tonight, boys." I throw an arm around both Merlin and Javan in an uncharacteristically expressive motion.

As we walk toward the door, I try to look back around and catch Edmund's eye, but his attention is elsewhere. I untangle myself from my fellow Talons, telling them I'll meet them at the docks, before striding over to the Belly's new hire. "Looks like that went well, Syd. The boys and I are bouncing to the next place." I say aloud. As I near closer, I lean in to murmur. "We'll be back for you. Following a lead. Just try to talk to Pellet...and...take care of yourself, alright mate?"

"Thank you dear." I say to Blackjack as I look over behind the bar. Parcher huh? What an ironic name for the one handing out drinks.

I make my way over to the bar. "You must be Parcher." I say as I lean up to the bar. "My name's Syd. Blackjack brought me in to help since everyone but you seems to be soaking their shoes in syrup." I smile but push forward, not wanting him to linger on my cajolery for too long. "Who needs what here?"

Edmund / Syd,
Parcher doesn't have time to do anything other than narrow his eyes at you for a moment as his response. He shoves three orders onto a wide tray and points at the tables, shouting out the orders and yelling at you to move on.

As you head off to deliver the drinks and fried goodies, Litch comes by to speak close in your ear, telling you he and the crew is leaving.

What do you do?

I pause while Litch quietly discusses his new plans with me. "You needn't worry about me, sir. I'll do my best to get what I need here then await your return."

I depart from them soon, hoping not to draw too much attention, and whisk myself toward the table noted on the large platter I'm carrying. The variety of fried options they have selected look and smell better than I expected. The cook seems to have some skill. I alert the table to my presence, almost shouting, "Ladies and gentlemen, your food has arrived! I'm here to help you out the rest of your stay tonight, so if you need anything shout for Syd." I slide the tray onto the table and almost ask if they need anything, but I stop myself. Here, if they need something they can ask. Speed is what I'm going for, and hoping I can find a way into the VIP space. I move to make my way to the next table.

"Good man." I pat his shoulder, dismissing him to his task like I would to the other Talons. With Edmund settled, I stride over to the exit and down to the docks to join my men.