#brawler's guild

The Brawler’s Guild tonight was packed, and louder than usual. It didn’t intimidate Rae as she ordered her usual from the bar. The crowd around the ring was thick, almost impossible for her to get through. “Oi! Outta me way ye mongrels.” A few looked at her sideways, but no one ever snapped back at her. Her reputation in these parts had grown quickly due to the last… intrication. That bloke would never live a day to fight again. 

Inside the brawl pit was one of the only two contestants Rae had not beaten yet. As he left victorious, her other opponent entered. They were her enemies, but she admired their dedication to such an art. They were lithe, and quick, like a snake. If you took your eyes off of them for but a moment, you were dead. No mercy existed in their souls.

With a deep sigh, Rae pushed herself out of the crowd and began walking to a table in the corner. As she passed by a woman, she was stopped. “Oi, come here for a second.” Rae slowly turned her head towards her, a hand immediately going to her sheathed dagger. After a moment, she obeyed and took the seat across from the lass. “What is it ye want?”

“My name is Daria. I’ve seen you fight here before. You’re very good. I wanted to offer you a better place for your skills other than this place. I bet I can pay you twice as much as what you get here.”

Rae chuckled at the offer, her head moving back and forth, causing her braids to swing. “Lass, I’ve gotten meself plenty of offers, and I do nae care aboot nae gold or fame. I’m just here to have some fun and let the crazy oot. Why woold I go with ye, when I will nae go with nobody else?” As she waited for an answer, her eyes, nearly hidden from her hood, would scan over her in an attempt to seek out any weakness, or hidden meanings.

Ever the clever pupper, the lady, Daria, gave nothing away save her eerily placed smile. "Because you'll be working alongside me, love. Rather - you'll be working for me. I don't have much to offer you in terms of now, save protection from the guard and a fat little sack of gold, but should you decide to come under my employment... Things only go up from there." She looked up to the pit as a loud screech tore out; more than likely another victim falling. Her mismatched eyes slid back to the dwarf with a predatory grace, seeking out any weaknesses in her as she tried to do to the Gilnean. "This is what you want your life to be? Getting paid... Mm. I would suppose less than the amount in my coin pouch... a month. I offer more than scraped knuckles and bloodied noses. I offer you free drinks, constant gold and a chance for an adventure every now and then. If only you accept my offer." Her other hand came up, folding neatly with it's mate on the table. "The choice is yours."

Rae appeared distant the whole explanation until the word 'adventure' popped out of Daria's mouth. Her attention quickly snapped to the woman, eyeing her over once more before submitting. "A'right. I'll see what yer lots got." Rae leaned back in her chair as if to appear complacent, and relaxed,  hand reaching up to pet the illidari bird atop her head..

Seeming a bit stunned that she had automatically agreed, Daria blinked once and opened her mouth. "Right then. Let's get down to the bloody bits, shall we? My company is Wolfram Enterprise. We buy and sell rare goods, and invest in businesses who might need a little help with the books. That's a front for our underbelly, of course, but I'll need you to promise me your word if I am to continue speaking about it."

Rae slowly closed her eyes, and scratched underneath her hood before lazily looking back at the Gilnean. "I'm rather surprised. What ensures I keep my word?"

Daria grinned then - an insidious smile that showed double rows of pristine teeth. "It's either that or death, lovey. Speak about my organization to any other than those you work with and I will have your head. With or without your permission."

The Dwarf nodded in approval, not buying it of course, it was the usual that was given, but the woman had tried to threaten her. She would play the game. Playing the act, she rounded her eyes and put a hand to her throat, faking fear. "Och! A'right then, sure. I swear on me pretty little head that I will nae tell a sool."

Raising a brow at her exaggeration, Daria continued. "Mm. We run a criminal organization with several sects from killing to stealing. We run on contract and you do as I say with no questions asked. Agreeable so far?"

Rae pursed her lips at the last portion. "What if I have a question that's reasonable, can I ask it? I like to ask questions.”

"Ask it then, I have no qualms. You are not employed yet; we are still equals here." Daria waited patiently, ever attentive to the dwarf.

Rae shook her head. "Nae lassie, I meant when I am. Ye say no questions, but that's who I am. I ask questions. Ye want the job done right, imma ask questions."

"Acceptable. But when given a command in times of need, you listen to it and do as I say. Results can be... painful. If you don't." Daria paused for a breath, her nose wrinkling as a hand dropped beneath the table to rub her stomach. "Apologies for that, but moving forward... I need your name, occupation, and previous employers.

Rae blinked, not saying anything for a moment. "Me name is Rae. That's all."

"The rest is required, and will not be used against you. If only for personal reference, I must know."

This time, the dwarf snickered in amusement. "That is everything. I am nae jokin' lassie."

Daria furrowed her brows, but didn't push it further. She could find out more if she wished. "Any prior experience with the guard? No arrests, I assume?"

Rae shakes her head. "Nae a thing."

"The final is a bit hard to swallow, but I assure you, it necessary for you to answer. Are you willing to lay down your life for me should a situation arise?" Daria leaned over the table then, keenly observing the woman's reaction to the statement.

Rae simply lofted a brow, and took a moment before leaning over the table as well, her face inches from Daria's "Let me be clear on this, lass. You may be the boss, but when it gets down to the nit and gritty, we're all equals here. I'd lay me life doon for someone only if they be willing to do the same. So, ma'am, " she said the last word as if it were poison on her tongue. "woold ye do the same?"

"Never have I had an answer as such." Daria murmured, not daring to pull back. It was the truth, as much as she could convey in the statement. "More than likely, I would not. I am a mother, and I am with child. Though I can tell you there are plenty more others who would stand at the end of a blade to protect their comrade. The question was such to determine how I will be able to put up with you, and I truly think you and I will get along well." Daria leaned back only then, a hand fishing in the leather pouch at her side. She came up with a small black device, no bigger than half a cork. She extended it out to the dwarf, beginning the explanation. "This is our communication device. Should you need to reach us, press this button." She pointed to a small indent on the side. "It should remain on so that I can reach you. You may pin it to your collar or rest it in your ear. And yes... Gnomish technology is waterproof now."

As Daria handed her the device, she sat back, accepting the answer for she would have given the same. "Right then. Are we done here...? I never caught your name me thinks."

Daria rose from the chair, extending her hand again. This time, in greeting. "Daria Belmont, love. Welcome to Wolfram."

Rae walked around the table, reaching her wee little arm up to give a good sturdy handshake. "Aye, thank ye. I better be gettin' that adventure you promised."

"Trust me love," Daria winked at Rae, stepping around the table. "You will. Now if you don't mind me, it's rather late, and I have a son to beat if he's not asleep. A pleasure meeting you, little Rae."

Rae nods in understanding. "Aye. Take it easy then." The little Dwarf waddles off, ready for some more face pounding in the pit.