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

Location: Poseidon's Belly
Time: evening


Litch and Edmund,

With Merlin and Javan in tow, the four of you head into the bar known as Poseidon's Belly. The place is normally a lively place where pirates, scalawags, and sailors come to swap stories, get a little rowdy, and watch the fights. Tonight, it's extremely chaotic. You spot the beautiful and laconic Dakota limping her way between boisterous tables of Rafters and Boaters. For some reason, Yellow, the meek little Rafter waif is carrying a tray of empties back to the bar looking like she's trying to work out some trigonometry in her head. At the bar is the rascal Parcher with the fight barker Sonic beside him helping out for some reason. And you see Blackjack waiting on a table with an angry scowl - they must really be short-handed tonight.

Edmund, what stories have you heard about Poseidon's Belly? What do you hope might be true?

The one person you don't see, Litch, is Helix. When you ask for her, you find out that some Sippians took her away not an hour earlier.

What do you do?

I knew it was highly unlikely that Helix would be here. Last time i saw her, she had slapped Lucky Strike in front of his people. The only reason I can think of for why she would've been allowed to return to the Belly was to parade her around or to serve as the Sipp's personal attendant. Or maybe she escaped their clutches only to be caught here. I'm recklessly speculating; I've no knowledge of her recent movements.

I turn to Merlin and tell him to get us a table, then I turn to Javan. "See the blonde girl limping over there? She might have useful information for us. Try to get her to come to our table. Work your magic, son." I wink at him. J can be charmingly persuasive when he puts his mind to it.

I face Edmund. "It's a bit more wild here than you're used to, eh?"

Javan heads off to chat with the blonde and Merlin grabs a table close to the unoccupied stage that gives you a view of the bar and all exits. He sits with his back to the stage to keep an eye on things for you.

"Come." I say, guiding Edmund towards the table Merlin claimed for us. "No use standing around looking like we don't belong. Did you have a contact you were hoping to meet here?"

Poseidon's Belly seems simultaneously better and worse than I pictured it. Whatever substance coats the floor tries desperately to become one with the soles of my shoes. It is hard to know what to expect, many notable character's I've come across seem to frequent the establishment, though few seem to have good things to say about it. Yet they seem to continue to come back. Maybe it's for the stories. I just hope that Pellet, the one Shrike advised would be here, actually is.

I barely hear Litch ask me something about the environment here. I just nod. There are more people here than I expected.

As I turn my head to follow Litch's gesturing I catch sight of Merlin. I notice how much cooler the air feels as it contacts the bare skin of my face. It occurs to me it may also be wise to put a little distance between me and the Talons at least for a little while. I'm not sure if anyone is expecting me to be with the Talons after last night's events, but I should at least expect that possibility.

"I'm supposed to find a Librarian who goes by Pellet. She may be able to get me what I need. I tilt my head toward the bar, "If you don't mind, I think I'm going to put a little distance between us at least for a little while. I'll try to keep an eye on you and yours just incase you need me for anything or it is time to go, but someone may expect Edmund to be with you. Like we discussed on the way over, from here on out - I'm Syd Richter."

I don't give away any surprise at Edmund's name change. We had plenty of time on the ride over for him to come up with an alias. The man seems to have a penchant for multiple names. Like those damn Fountaineers. Although, it's not a name that fits well with our conventions. I may have to give him an alternate, temporary moniker.

When he states his intent to create distance from us, I shake my head. "No. You stay with us or we go with you. Do you see anyone in this bar who looks like Edmund Sterling...Syd?"

Edmund,

Looking around the bar, you do not see anyone as well-coiffed as Edmund Sterling. You do spot Truist - one of the Vaulter's bodyguards - standing by a VIP area. Perhaps Pellet is in there? If not, then she's amid the mass of humanity pressed against the fences around the fighting pits.

"Okay okay, I see your point - no need to treat me like a thoddo." I catch a glimpse of Litch's reflection in the dirty mirror behind but find myself surprised by the man standing next to him. I can't remember the last time I had a bare chin, and it sinks in further how unlike myself I look.

"Let's join Merlin and see where the night takes us." I keep an eye on the crowd around the pit, the noise and density of bodies seems to indicate something interesting has happened recently.

"I can assure you that I hold you in the highest esteem, Syd." I respond, my expression impassive as I watch his eyes flick over toward raucous circus of patrons. I lead him toward Merlin's table, turning over my shoulder to query, "Ever witnessed a pit fight, Mister Richter? Not those arena events at the Towers, with their padded mitts and their referees keeping the merchandise for spoiling one another. I mean the primal brutality of pugilists recklessly pummeling each other into oblivion."

We pause as a server passes by with a tray of sloshing drinks. "It's rather messy. Both the fight...and claiming your winnings after. Messy...and profligate. Someone often dies in both endeavors." We reach the table and I pull out a chair for him, gesturing with the other hand for him to sit, then kicking out an empty stool for myself. "But of course, everyone really should witness at least one."

"Sounds..." I pause trying to find the right word, "Breathtaking. What's the closest you've been to that cage?"

I sit in the chair Litch points me toward, eyes still scanning the crowd near the pit. I turn my attention toward Litch, "You wouldn't happen to be familiar with Pellet, at least to point them out?"

Merlin has saved a pair of mismatched chairs for you guys, so you can take a seat. Javan brings a tray of mugs full of swill over, explaining Dakota is "swamped".

Litch, if you scan the crowd at the fighting pit, you don't see Pellet.

I glance over to Merlin as I reply. "I used to fight down there...in my youth. Never lost, though only six victories in six bouts makes that seem less impressive than it sounds." I lean forward on the tabletop and murmur, "The key to victory is choosing your battles wisely. Don't be afraid to punch down and never get caught in the foolish mentality that there's any such things as Gentleman's Honor. You either win...or you die. And...always quit when you're ahead."

I sit back as Javan arrives with beverages, sans Dakota. Another dead end, it seems. As I gaze over at the crowd looking for Syd's contact, a light suddenly clicks in my brain: that Librarian has often been observed in the company of one of the Sipps. She might know where Helix is. "Not to worry, J. Syd here..." I emphasize the name so the others understand the alias is to be used in public. "Needs to find that mousy Librarian girl, Pellet. Did either of you notice her around here?"

I give Javan a nod, but no smile. He's gotten upset with me before about smiling too much at him in public. He wants to be treated with seriousness, like the other adults. That works just fine for me. Warm gestures really should be reserved for when we are safe together at the Roost. "Good eyes, Javan. Well Syd," I look over at him. "What do you think is the smart way to proceed?"

"Well I'm far from being a very important person. Javan, do you have any history with her?"

A thought crosses my mind, a thrill at the idea of trying to pose as someone important, after all I've seen enough self-important zokholes I could pretend to be one in my sleep. But the risk of not being successful with Pellet ultimately puts little Aloe at risk. No, I should try to be as tactful about this as possible.

"I could try passing a message along with a drink," I glance over at the server I assume is the one Javan named as Dakota. "But the service doesn't exactly seem trustworthy." Another idea.

"I wonder if they are looking for an additional server?"

"Excellent idea." I pronounce, finally taking a sip from the glass Javan set in front of me. "But the best way to land the job of your dreams is to perform the necessary tasks before you're even hired. Shows skill and initiative. Plus," I smirk at Merlin. "These beggars can't afford to be choosy." I slide my barely-touched drink over to Edmund. "You can start by taking the wrong drink to the VIP area. Maybe you'll get a chance to speak with Pellet. Medical supplies come first, Syd. But if she's amicable toward you, ask about a girl named Helix for me. I need to know how I can find her."

I look at the swill we have in front of us. These mugs might have been washed today, but something tells me that just pouring more ale in probably counts as washing. "If I just barge in with these I feel like I'd be getting an expeditious request to leave the premises altogether. I do think you're right though, about beggars not able to be choosy." As I check back in on Dakota she barely stops a mug from tipping off her tray. While it wasn't a complete disaster, half of the mug's contents are now dripping from the side of her serving plate. I can't tell if she looks flustered or if this is just a normal night for her.

"I'll certainly check on the whereabouts of this Helix, if she seems receptive. Who runs this establishment? Maybe I could speak with them briefly about trying to help out this evening. Then at least if I was questioned about going back to VIP I could provide a credible reason. Besides, Truist is over there, and while he looks like a malignant mass of muscle, the interactions I've had with him seem to tell me that he uses his looks as a way to get people to underestimate him. If I tried to get past him and failed, I don't think there'd be a second chance."

I try a sip of the drink Javan picked up for us. It's stronger than I expected, and has a flavor I can't quite place, not that I want to anymore.

I share another glance with Merlin, then nod with a ghost of a smile. "Astute analysis." I praise, like an instructor with a clever test his student has just passed. That wasn't my intent, but I can't say I'm not impressed with Edmund's cautious assessment. I'm even more impressed that he's not using caution as an excuse for inaction. At least, not yet.

"A woman by the name of Blackjack runs the place. Maybe you go help the girl over there." I gesture in Dakota's direction "And you'll get started out with more than just bussing tables. We don't have the time to wait for you to work your way up."