The sun was getting low in the sky by the time Viktor had finally made it to Vienda. He'd made it quite clear to Ue to let anybody that came asking questions of his debt that Vik Mirko was away on business and would handle it when he returned. He and Ue had an interesting working relationship since Vik had basically taken over the day to day operations of the smithy. Ue was still the name on the sign but he seemed to respect Vik's head for business. Besides, Viktor had learned about all he could from the man and the fact that he had claimed the man's considerable debt to Silas Hawke had made him practically family.

Early on the 6th Vik had begun the trip to Vienda to take care of some business as well as a personal errand. He wanted to try and get some word of mouth going about the shop on the streets of Vienda, which he supposed there already was as Sarinah had come to Old Rose just to see him.

Ah, Sarinah. She was the other reason he'd made the long trip. He had exchanged a particularly special sabre for information on his father in Dorhaven. Besides, he'd felt a special connection to the exotic beauty and was eager to see her again. Her confindence and wit had attracted him immediately besides her wish and obvious ability to harm some gollies. Her possible connection to the Resistance would have been enough to visit Vienda alone.

After getting some directions and a wrong turn or two Viktor finally found himself outside Cook's Place. The neighborhood was rather rundown though Vik was rather used to the type, he was a native of Old Rose now after all. The silhouette of a woman on the door was proof enough he was in the right place and after running a hand through his hair he opened the door and entered.

He was greeted with a lot of red and the overpowering aroma of perfume. Any discomfort this caused him was quickly forgotten as all manner of attractive women caught his focus. A true feast for the eyes of a humble blacksmith. With his famous half smile Vik walked into the room and removed his travel cloak.

"Excuse me ladies, can any of you tell me if Miss Sarinah is in the house?" He asked loudly.

Sarinah had only just started and had been slinking through the tables, rolling her hips and gaining enough coin to start a proper routine.



The brunette stopped and looked towards the familiar voice. Standing in the entrance area was Viktor. Smiling, she sauntered through the other girls, some of which giggled little snippets to her.

"Oh my he's a cute one..."
"..got in early di'nt she.."
"..go show 'im the ropes luv!"

Ignoring their banter, she sidled up to Viktor and ran a finger along his jawline.

"Ho, smith. We meet again. Asking for me by name?" She purred, one eyebrow raised.

"Only my regulars do that." Her face was that of a vixen in a hen coop, sly, ready to pounce. She placed her arms over his shoulders and got up on her toes, bringing her lips close to his ear.

"Are you here for the show or the Party?" She whispered, her breath hot in his ear, body brushing lightly against his. Some of the male patrons behind her had begun to complain about the coin she had taken, but not given anything in return yet. Pulling back to look at Viktor she made a little head shrug.

"Looks like you might be here for the show anyway, take a seat if you like, I won't be long, then we can talk." She kissed her fingertips and pressed them to his lips, then turned and walked out the back.

Such a show she put on, must be this place. He was sure she required that kind of bravado just to make enough coin to survive. Vik hoped he would be able to get her out of Cook's and out where she could be more herself. He wasn't sure he'd really met Sarinah without her game face on quite yet.

Vik sat down and made himself as comfortable as he could in the reek of the place. He'd never been fond of extravagant scents and the smell in Cook's was overwhelming.

As he waited for "the show" Viktor started looking around the room, seemed Sarinah was fairly popular. She was attracting a crowd as they waited for her to come out. These were not impressive specimens of humanity. Vik wondered how anyone could put up with this nonsense for any amount of time. He hoped he could convince Sarinah to step out once she was done.

Sarinah took a breath. Every time she did this, part of her crawled with disgust, but another part of her thrilled at the power it gave her. The in house band began a tune, a violin and percussion, slow and exotic. Putting on her best show smile, she stepped onto the small, red lit stage. The drunks in the front row hollered, and she winked down at them. She rolled her hips, hands dancing ankles chinking lightly with each movement. The gold coins on her overskirt rung pleasantly with each hip shake.

Then, she pulled out the big guns, the part of the dance that earned her so much of her coin. There was a tall metal post at the front left of the stage. Deftly, after years of practice, she swug herself around it and used the strong mucles in her arms and legs to climb it. The cheering from the men was like a drug. She held onto the post with her legs and leaned back, long hair flowing down in a cascade of red and black. She pulled her body back up and switched the leg grip on the post, so she was facing the pole, head down. arm's held out, she let herself slide down the post. Towards the bottom, she grabbed it with both hands and let her feet down. A little skip and she spun around it again, both legs tucked into the air. She landed, and let go of the pole. Grinning at the male's in the brothel, she made a little bow and the music ended. Some of the whisles were deafening as she left the stage.

Sauntering down the stairs, she slinked past the clapping men, when one of them reached out and grabbed her, leering drunkenly about how wonderful she was and all the things he could buy her. Sarinah laughed and patted his arm, reaching around to unwravel his other arm from her waist. She ran a finger along his jaw, then turned and looked for Viktor. She spotted the familiar brown haired smith and strode over to him, grabbing his wrist.

"Walk with me. Cook won't need me for at least another hour now."

Vik hopped to his feet, only too happy to oblige. Though not one to speak out against such establishments he was not comfortable there. He allowed Sarinah to lead him to whatever place she had in mind. Somewhere quiet and less...aromatic he hoped.

"You're quite the dancer, very limber." He said smiling.

Sarinah grinned at him, she'd noticed he wasn't comfortable in there. And she didn't blame him, it was a very seedy place. She took the smith by the hand and lead him back outside. She led him to the fountain in Crosstown Court and let him go, walking upto the water and washing off her arms and face. She always felt revolting when the patrons grabbed her. Shaking off the water, she turned to Viktor.

"I'm sorry about that. You kind of came at a bad time." Smiling, she sat on the edge of the fountain, crossing her legs.

"So, smith, why are you so interested in the resistance? An upstanding man like you shouldn't need to deal with people like them." She said softly. Some of the things the resistance did, she didn't agree with.

Vik was glad to back out in the fresh air. He followed Sarinah to a fountain and looked up at the stars starting to peak through the dimming light of the afternoon sun while she washed.


"Quite all right, I'm just not used to visiting businesses of that sort, more than anything it was the smell, used to throw people off I imagine, keep the senses overwhelmed and you're less likely to worry about how much coin you're parting with." Vik replied, looking down from the sky. "Nothing old "Iron Vik" can't handle."



Vik's smile slowly faded. He walked over and sat close to Sarinah on the fountain edge.

"Well, I suppose it's all about making a difference. I've seen innocent folk hanged for nothing more than uttering an angry word about the way things are. Though its dangerous to say here, things have to change. Nobody else seems to be doing anything about it. I don't have any illusions about being a hero, I'm not going to change anything on my own. I don't even think anything will change in my lifetime. But if I can do my part to making a change for those that come after me, like little Daisy, then maybe I can let go of some of the hate I feel."

Viktor's eyes misted over as he talked. He turned his gaze to her bright intelligent eyes. "Did you find anything out? About my father I mean?"

Sarinah chuckled softly. The smell in Cook's was pretty atrocious, like a whole incense store had burned to the ground inside, then there was the mead and vomit smells that wafted to you occasionally. They were interesting.



The dancer raised her eyebrows. She hadn't expected the smith to be someone full of hate. He was so calm and nice, but obviously everyone had a little something hiding in their broom closet.



Sarinah looked at him, biting her lip. She wanted to lie, so she had something better to say to him, but the brunette respected him. Sighing, she put a hand on his shoulder.

"I found the forge kov, and its intact, so I guess that's a good. But I couldn't find your father. A man I spoke to said he has seen your father since the explosion, and he thinks Kristof has cleared off." She squeezed his shoulder.

"A lot of people, my tribe included, have left Dorhaven. It was a mass evacuation. Maybe your father is headed here? Unless, would he have somewhere else he may have gone?" Her deep brown eyes showed sympathy and concern. She hated the way her gut twisted telling him this, but he had to know.

Viktor smiled, memories of his father improving his mood. "That tough ol' cuss, if the Forge is intact and secured then he'll be back. He will have gone with his customers when they evacuated. Hard to sell axe heads and wagon wheels to an empty street. Always the business man." Vik scoffed at that last statement, as though he was any different.

He looked up into Sarinah's eyes, eyes that had no doubt seen so many much more than his, and placed his large rough hand over hers. "It means the world to me that you would do that for me. Consider my shop a safe haven in Old Rose, if you're ever in trouble or just need to get away, there's room for you there." He said, the seriousness of the offer written in his low, clear voice and intense gaze.

Sarinah felt a wave of relief wash over her as he spoke. She was so worried he might break down or get angry, but the smith was a smart man and he knew his own father.



She looked down at his hand, then back up at his face. He was such an honest, open man. Rovin, she got goosebumps thinking about him, but she was never sure when he would be around. Viktor seemed like the type of man that would be there, a home body. For the first time in her life, Sarinah was starting to feel like she was more than just a dancer. But she felt strange. Rovin made her heart race and her head spin and he made her feel like she had worth, but he was a traveller. Vik made her feel like she had worth, and he made her feel warm in a differant kind of way. She started feeling confused.

"Thankyou Viktor. That means a lot to me. It truly does. Your a good, good man." She smiled at him, pushing her hair behind her ear. Taking big breath, she looked at the sky.

"I'm going to have to go shortly Viktor, but I do want to see you again. During the day, I'll visit you at your forge sometime. For now though, if you want in on the resistance, come and speak to Cook about a cool drink of water. He'll do the rest for you kov."