It was ten o'clock when Gem slugged out of bed. It was morning. The sunlight streamed in right over the headboard and her face. It had probably been doing it since dawn, and she had only just noticed. She wasn't really a morning person. As she sat up she remembered the night before and smiled. Sighing contentedly, she thought, Bastard'll never challenge me again.

She had drunk a rather large man under the table again. Her ears were ringing now- he'd put up a good fight- but other than that there was no sign of a hangover. It was the third time in as many weeks. If only I could do that for a living, I'd be rich...

She dressed in her usual, a corset, skirt, and bustle with heels. She went green today. She tightened the corset herself, using the bedpost to help pull the sucker tight. She had grown quite adept at lacing herself up since she had started wearing them...

She ambled downstairs. The Umbrella would still be serving breakfast for another half-hour. There was a surprising crowd in the dining hall for so late in the morning. She only spotted one table without residents. While she didn't mind eating with people, some were averse to her randomly dropping in on them and their conversations. So, she gathered her breakfast and hit the table. Smiling- bacon today. She was pleased. She wouldn't have to be at work for hours, either. Perhaps a walk on the Pier was the order of the day...

Remy waited quietly out back of the Blue Umbrella. This was a nicer place then he would forage at but pickings where slim. He ducked down in the alleyway and waited. Soon a man came out with some trash and dumped it in the bin out back. Remy waited for the man to go back inside. He rushed over once the man was gone. He pulled bits of food from the trash. People who had money never seemed to finish everything the order. He soon retreated his shirt made into a make shift pouch to hold the food. He spread what he found out on a crate and started looking for what in it he could eat.

The scene is deep night, and a teenage boy with stark blonde hair lays on a bedroll near a looming fire. He is in a light sleep, as the young man always sleeps on his guard. He notices subconsciously as a dark streak flows over the light radiating through his eyelids from the fire. He awakens, only to stare straight at the slobbering jowls of a wild bander wolf.

Smythe opened his eyes and thought to himself:
The same dream......still, after six years of killing the clocking creatures in droves. Perhaps a few more outta loosen up my mind.


"Well, time to wake up!"

Smythe sat up in his bedroll, and took a glance around his newly acquired home. The room was very tidy, and void of most "homely" possessions. Aside from his bedroll, a couple of blankets scattered on the floor for his companions, and a wash bin and wash board, the room was all but empty.

Tori and Rori ran over and pounced on Smythe's feet as he cracked his toes.
"That's enough you two. blast, you're worse than little brothers!"

With that Smythe stood up and gently pushed the felines aside with his foot, onto their blanket. The kittens started to wrestle amongst themselves, not seeming to have a fleeting thought over their master.

"Well, Daida, Truglet, you two ready to grace this
wonderful prison with our presence?"
The two animals cocked their heads in unison, and advanced towards their master, Truglet landing on Smythe's shoulder.
Truglet uttered in a very mimicked accent, "rakkkkk! Any fine birds to catch!"
"Lets hope not"

Smythe dressed himself in his finely tailored purple suit, draped on his cloak, and outfitted himself with all of his weaponry. he picked up his mandolin and headed for the door. as soon as he touched the knob, he looked down and Regan was pulling at his pant leg.
"Oh, I suppose you can follow suit. Be one your top behavior though, i don't need you causing a fuss."
Smythe opened the door, and before he closed it he heard a quiet meow. He uttered:
"Don't worry Tori, I'll bring you and you're filthy brother some milk."

Smythe closed his tenant door and carefully locked it behind him. He then precariously slid the slender key into one of the many inner pockets of his jacket and proceeded down the stairs.
Smythe entered the commons giving off an aura of pure grace. He approached the counter that was serving breakfast and grabbed only two apples and a biscuit for himself, pored a large bowl of milk for his kittens, grapes for Truglet, and grabbed 4 slices of bacon for his otsas.

After paying for his meal, Smythe turned face and gazed into the dinning hall. he ran through the patrons sitting at the tables' analyzing what he could from their appearance until he noticed Gem sitting alone at one of the far tables. Smythe thought to himself:

Hmm.....perhaps she could help me get my musical career on track, and, possibly even help me find some civs that need a toffin like myself to do some cutting.

Followed by Regan and Daida, with Truglet clenching onto his shoulder, Smythe strided towards Gem. Putting on a fair voice he stated:
"Hello dear, would you mind if I sat with you for breakfast? It's been awhile sense i've had a chat with any female member of society, especially one of you're looks."

Meseli looked about the communal room with a wary eye. He had dressed in his most ugly of clothes. A dull and bland gray shirt that hurt his eyes to look at. Hair combed down his hair and hid his bells as best he could. carefully he walked about his knees stiff and unyieldy. It felt terrible to not be able to bound about and do what he knew was right and proper.

Scooping up some bacon with a free hand he nibbled carelessly upon his eyes roving about. Wary of anyone that may see through his guise as a man. As he finished his first piece he began to meander towards a free table looking for tea.

((Oo, Purple words... preeetyyyy... Haha))

Gem looked up from her plate. A clean-cut fellow a tad younger than her was asking to sit with her. She giggled lightly, "Sure thing, flatterer," she gave him a wink, then noticed his trailing menagerie,"cute animals."

She examined him as he sat. She had seen him around the Umbrella only once or twice. He had some kind of nature name... Toadlicker? No, that wasn't it... Weedwhacker? Wolfman? Wolf... wolf-something... Wolfsbane! That was it.

"So, Wolfsbane, right? Are you new in town, or just around here?"

She leaned in, genuinely interested but definitely putting her ample cleavage on display. She liked people and learning about them.

Remy found a bit of bacon that was still good. He gently chewed on the salty meat while he pick out what was good. He threw away a few spoiled bits. Once he had sifted threw the spoils he stopped. He looked down to the small pile of left overs. He was unmoved, some bacon hanging from his mouth, he simply looked down. His face was like stone but still a tear escaped his eye. He reached up and wiped it away. He went back to chewing on the bacon. He was loath to dig threw trash but he did not hate it more then he did himself. Part of him wondered if it was enough. He pushed that voice down and locked it away again.

"Thank you m'lady."
Smythe politely bowed, and set his mandolin down, leaning it on the table. He took his seat and Daida jumped into his lap.

Smythe looked Gem in the eyes, not wanting to get caught up in any attempts of seduction. He thought to himself:
Hmm.....perhaps there is more to this strumpet then there seems, i'm sure this dove should be able to point me in the right direction.

He replied to gem,
"Well, the truth is love, I've just recently moved into the area. I worked here in my youth though for a few years, and after that I kind of just drifted in the wilds by myself, roughing it and hunting some rather nasty beasties. I was about spun out after my six year endeavor, so, I decided I would try my hand at the ole' trades once again. I was starting to grow a bit moony with the lack of human interaction."

With the word, interaction, Truglet skawked,
"Rrrraaaa, I would mind interacting with those pillows!"

With that, Smythe shoved a few grapes in the birds mouth, and accosted,
"Quite you filthy phesant!"
He gave a strip of bacon to each of his ostas, and returned to conversation choosing his words carefully. Letting them flow poetically, he flattered,
"Now I play my mandolin on the streets, making a quick jingle. I wouldn't mind playing taverns and such though, i heard one can make quite a stake in such callings. I am hoping to build up enough squares to purchase a warehouse so I can start selling musical instruments. i feel the world would be much darker without music, wouldn't you agree love?"

Meseli stopped as he spotted Smythe and Gem. A smile flickered upon his lips as an idea crept into his mind. With a bowlegged gait he hobbled over to the duo.

"Good day master and mistress of beasts of feather and fur." He said a deep bow and cross of the arm. "I am the one and only Meseli Hastur. A medicine man of fine and handy caliber. Perhaps I could interest you in a few of my wares for the long day you may have ahead?" He said in his lustrous voice. His head bowed and with each slight movement creating a bell like sound.

His thin body held the position for a excessive amount of time. His long arms held perfectly still.

She was about to respond when-



She made a slightly shocked noise. "Quite the mouth your bird has, he does."



"Mm-hm," she smiled coyly. A dirty bird like that had to learn its words somewhere, but by the sound of it, he didn't learn it from Wolfsbane,"I would. I like to play myself. Never touched a mandolin, really, but guitars, flutes, drums... I could probably pick it up." She took a bite of toast in thought. "The place I work isn't really hiring... quite the opposite in fact. We've been losing business to bigger places like the Queen n' the Dove. I wouldn't doubt it if they could fit you in a repertoire 'r two. Only problem with them is the Bads take a cut of what'cha make. So, sure. You could make bank. Until you get taxed. Anything else you can do, Wolfy?"

She caught herself- she hadn't introduced herself!

But before she could, some campy fellow was waxing poetic at them. He was jingling.



She didn't know what to do. It was so silly. She started giggling uncontrollably. She planted her hands on her face as the laughter threatened to build.

Smythe put an ashamed look on his face
"I'm truly sorry about that dove, Truglet was this vulgar when I found him. He isn't good for much except a good laugh every once in a while."
With that Smythe let a out a slight chuckle, and leaned back in his chair. He then pulled out his long black pipe and filled it with tobacco. He then lit the pipe with a flick of his fingers, calling on the wick magic he had inherited.



Smythe nodded, and just as he was about to reply, the strange man meseli approached the two.



Upon hearing the man's request, he noticeably fought back a revolted visage. He seemed to almost lean back, avoiding the man. He then gathered himself and stated.

"No thank you sir. i do not indulge in the vices of gollies and drunkards."

Meseli raised an eyebrow. Standing up still smiling he pulled a small pouch from around his neck.

"I do not sell vice good master." He said with a calm voice. "I sell health and well being. This pouch contains a potent and wondrous potion. Mix a bit in with your tea and you will feel as strong as a hundred men!" He said taking out a long sliver of a dried whitish plant. "This is the heart of a great beast and by taking it inside of you you can become as great as it is!"

As he finished speaking he held it in front of the pair his yellowed teeth flickering in and out of sight as he held a quavering smile. Upon his hand a golden ring shined in the morning light.

"Uh-huh," she responded skeptically,"And what, exactly, do you take us for?"

She turned away from him deliberately, taking up a glass of orange juice and insistently ignoring him.

Remy munched slowly. He eat the food he could. A few peaces of meat and half a roll where all that was good. He put his hand to his stomach. It hurt so badly. He looked over to the trash again. He stood up and moved closer to it. He looked down in the bin. His hunger got the best of him and he reached in. The white fire of pain shot up his arm shortly there after. He yelled and ripped his hand free. As he pulled his hand out hanging from the end was a rat. The animals fangs where deep in Remy's hand. Remy flicked his writs and flung the rat into a wall. It scurried away. Remy griped his hand tight falling back. Blood snaked its way down his arm. The streams of his red lift met at his elbow. His body shook and he griped his hand as the blood dotted the ground. The light taping of the drops ringing clear in his head. He cursed himself for yelling. If a cook heard and caught him out here he would be beaten again.

Smythe looked at the man, and seemed slightly interested in him, despite his dirty vagabond appearance.
"Hmm. it would seem you pawn rather incredible items sir."
Smythe snickered, the word incredible dripping with sarcasm. He returned to a more serious note, and asked,

"By chance, you wouldn't happen to have anything that would get rid of ticks would you old crow? I'm afraid my felines may end up with a bad case of flees, and I would love to have something handy to help peel the nasty bastards of my friends?"

Meseli paused.

Standing back up to a full slouch he scratched a week of stubble. Slowly removing the white face paint upon his skin.

"Fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks." He mumbled thinking. "Nasty brutes that latch to the soul. Poor yorick once had the buggers for a time. I may have some rather wondrous trickery for them. Of course, it will cost you." He sadi as he slipped the white thing into his mouth chewing thoughtfully.

Ugh, she thought, rubbing her temple. Absolutely ridiculous... Fool's encouraging him. You don't talk to the crazies, dammit...

Smythe looked confidently at the frail man, with a hint of disgust in his eyes.
He then muttered,
"Well, I have no need of it now, but, I am sure I will be able to find you when I have need of your services."

Smythe turned back to Gem, and completely ignored the man's presence after the previous statement.
"Crow's all about in this place, perhaps one of them actually might be useful for something. If it is one, i'd put my coins down on him."

Smythe took a long puff on his pipe, a blew two immaculate smoke rings. he then decided it would be time to return to the previous dialogue.

"So love, I see that you know my name, but I am at a loss when it comes to yours."

Meseli nodded. He had scented a deal and could not help it. With a jingle he sat down upon a chair and stared at the couple with large eyes as his jaw continued to absently move. HE could feel the chrove heart kick in and savored the jolt of energy.

"You know..." He whispered quietly. "I know where the bleary eyed dragon sleeps. His name is opium and his smoke is so so sweet."

Remy's hand shook hard. He held it steady. He looked down to the wound. It was a nasty bite. He ripped off a chunk of his shirt. He slowly wrapped his hand then tied a tight knot. The cloth turned red with his blood but soon the bleeding stopped. Remy laid back breathing hard. He waited for the adrenaline to stop pumping. The pain grew as it did. He winced at the feeling. As his body stopped blocking the pain it came in pulsing waves. Another sharp pain with each heart beet.

Gem was confused at his crow comment. It didn't make sense to her. But she realized that he was talking about the crazy next to them, at any rate.



She gave him a twisted half-smile and shook her head as if to say, not around that guy.

She scoffed indignantly when the fellow sat down beside her and started talking about opium. She was affronted at him. She rolled her eyes at Wolfbane and picked up her empty plate and glass, heading off to the kitchen to drop them off. If the crazy followed her, she'd lay him out. She'd be fine with it if Wolfbane followed her, though. She was having a conversation with the man, after all.

Remy slowly got up and held his arm close. He moved slowly. The pain was ripping threw his head. He used the wall to hold himself up. He moved along the wall in the direction of anglers ally. A small trial of blood left behind him.

Smythe shook his head in understanding, and when the woman got up to put away her plate, He quickly finished one of his apples, and slid the other into an inner pocket. He than gave the rest of the bacon to his otsas, and gave the bird a few more grapes. He then thought to himself,

This crow is blowing my chances of finding work, I'd better ditch him fast.

Smythe got up, and strapped his mandolin to his back and picked up the bowl of milk from his table. He then approached the dirty Meseli and stated,
"Well crow, i am off to write some music, perhaps i will see you in the future."
With that, Smythe headed for the staircase, not waiting for the man to reply. His animals followed in a small parade.

As he passed Gem he gave her a small wink.

When Smythe reached his room he unlocked the door and placed the bowl of milk on the floor. tori and Rori ran for the milk, and Smythe sat on his bedroll and wrote a note in beautiful script for Gem. This is what it said:

Sorry about that dove. I understand why you wouldn't want to give your name out around a moony like that. I hope my otsa finds you in time, for I would like to ask you if you would take a stroll around the dock district with me today. I am on the lookout for a large empty space so that I can open a shoppe for instruments and other musical items. When you are done reading this, just tap the otsa that delivered it on the head and she will return to me. You may give her a message to bring back if you are so inclined. If not, just come to my room, number 2-F.

sincerely yours,
S. Wolfbane

With that, he rolled up the note and slipped it into Daida's mouth. He then uttered.
"Daida, you wouldn't mind delivering this to that lady we were sitting with earlier, would you? Wait for her to signal you to return."

With that Smythe patted the otsa on the head, and Daida bounded out the door and down the stairs. Smythe Laid back in his bedroll, and rested his head on his hands. He took another ample drag from his pipe, and blew a cloud of smoke over his head.

Daida came into the dining room, ran into the kitchen and went to Gem's side, holding the note in her mouth. Daida proceeded to tap on Gem's leg with her paw.

((Not entirely plausible, but I'll run with it...))

Gem was surprised when one of Wolfbane's felines came after her bearing a note. She took it surreptitiously, hoping no one saw her as she had no license, and, after some difficulty with the fancy script, managed to just read it. She smiled and tapped the cat, following it. For all his frilly words he had neglected the time. She arrived at the door and gave it a knock.

((ooc: I know, it's a bit silly. Otsa's seem to be geared for this sort of thing tho, remembering people and places they've seen. Besides, I did say Daida was trained for this..))

Daida bounded up the stairs, and slipped through the door. When the knock came at the door, Smythe instinctively slipped the dagger from his glove. Then, he returned it, realizing how silly he was being. He came to the door, and opened it, revealing Gem.

"Well, hello dear. would you like to come in?"

With this, Smythe took another long drag from his pipe, the burning leaves made a light crackling sound as the smoke drifted into the chamber. He then blew out a cloud of smoke, carefully angling his mouth so that the smoke would not hit Gem.

"Well, Wolfy, you mentioned a walk along the docks, if I read you right," she leaned on her elbow against the doorjamb, a hand on her hip,"which was just what I was planning myself. I'd rather take in a day of sunshine than any more of these tenant rooms. I'll take you up on your offer now, if it's still extended."

She smiled and held out a hand,"Name's Gem."