Cyran couldn’t help but be impressed at Zarius’s answer. Adventurer was respectable enough, while in reality, it could mean almost anything. He had a suspicion that he and Zarius were in similar lines of business.

Vakker was a little more difficult to pin down. Both of them were much better at speaking around what they meant than he was, which was why he stuck to half-truths and honest answers where he could. He could still keep the attention off himself and learn as much about them as he could while their attention was still focused on digging into each other’s secrets.

“Adventurer? I bet you have a lot of stories, then. Maybe you’d be willing to share some.”

He turned his attention to Vakker next. “And you? I realize I didn’t ask earlier. How rude of me.”

He brought his glass up to his lips to hide his smile.

An adventurer, huh? That was practically not an answer with how many different things adventurers might get involved with. No, that answer wouldn't be worth enough to make the Satyr feel like sharing. Though, he started to get the idea that both of these men might be in similar lines of work. Cyran certainly was from him referring to himself as a hunter. Probably payed killers, the both of them. Only a fool would openly admit that that was their profession unless they were a bounty hunter or something legal, unlike he suspected these two were. Well, assassins could be good company when they were on your side.

"Oh, don't worry about it at all." he said, looking to Cyran and giving a small wave of his hand.

He turned back to Zarius and continued.

"I'm sure I don't do anything as exciting as whatever you must have gotten up to. Please, regale us with a story of one of your adventures. I'd love to hear one."

Zarius shifts his posture from casually leaning back to a more engaged position with his elbows resting across his knee and his chin resting in one hand. Enough beating around the bush, this man was being shamelessly difficult. 

"Mister Vakker, you are avoiding the question. Considering you said you where here looking for connections, I feel pretty confident in saying that means you do not have many friends to rely on at present. I already offered to introduce you to my friends. If you want that introduction to be a pleasant one, I advise you choose your next words carefully."

The tiefling wears a sinister expression with his toothy smile and piercing glare. He lets the threat hang in the air. He sounds pretty confident that he could back that threat up.^[1] 

It's not like he is against the idea of sharing some stories of his accomplishments with the pair, but the satyr was pushing his luck. Zarius was mostly curious to see how he would try to talk his way out of this hole he was digging himself into. So far, he liked Cyran a lot more than Vakker. 

---

[1] Smooth Talking

The tension in the room seemed to grow as Zarius openly challenged Vakker. The conversation lapsed into silence as Zarius's words hung in the air, as they all considered their next moves. Neither had revealed anything of real substance to one another, and neither was willing to budge until they learned more.

Vakker was clearly unsatisfied with Zarius's answers thus far. He was undoubtedly a shrewd man, unwilling to give anything until he received something in return. Zarius clearly wouldn't be giving up anything first.

Oh, well. It looked like a little honesty was in order to get these wheels turning.

Cyran pulled himself out of his chair, a gleam in his eye as he approached the chair Vakker was seated in and settled himself on the armrest. He didn't mind voicing these, but he wanted to make sure that no other partygoers overheard what he was about to say. Perched delicately on the armrest, he cupped his hand over Vakker's ear and whispered, "You want something first before you give up your own secrets, huh? Well, how about this? I'm having fun tonight, which is more than I expected when I arrived here. If you play along a little bit, I'll make it worth your while. A smooth talker like you can't always be caught getting your hands dirty. When that time comes, you're going to need someone to get the job done for you. Just think about it."

Before Vakker could respond, Cyran picked himself up and returned to his seat. He would need something to offer Zarius as well if he wanted to get both of them to talk, but Zarius would need a different approach, and he couldn't quite find the right angle yet. Once Cyran did, he would make a similar offer. The men on either side of him may have been devils, but Cyran was a ghost, and one that could whisper in their ears and plant ideas in their minds, if he played his cards right.

Vakker's eyes opened wider in surprise as Zarius threw a full on threat at him. He was a little disappointed that his opponent had quit their little game and flipped the board so soon, but he was also greatly amused. It was actually sort of refreshing to have someone be so straightforward with him, even if it was to threaten him. He almost laughed. This conversation might be more fun than he imagined, and this Tiefling a bit more interesting.

He leaned back in his chair and looked down at his now empty wine glass, a smile still on his face. He thought for a moment about what he might want to respond with, but then Cyran moved and sat down on the armrest of his chair, leaning in to whisper in his ear. He leaned his head to the side, his goat-like ear raising, making it obvious it was real, to listen to what he might say. His eyes locked with Zarius's as he listened.

He looked directly at the Tiefling, his smile never fading. With a mock sigh of exasperation, he began to speak.

"Who said I don't have friends, just because I'm making more connections? You can never have too many connections." He said with a glance at Cyran before continuing.

"But fine, if you want me to play, I'll play. Ironic that you're trying to advise me when advising is my job. I've advised quite a few of the people here, you know. Now will you tell me a story, adventurer?" he said, putting extra emphasis on the word adventurer to let the man know he didn't quite buy that answer.

---

Smooth Talking

Finally a reaction out of the satyr. That was what he had hoped for. He watches Vakker closely. He kept his cool well, so that meant he was possibly used to dealing with such threats. 

His eyes lock onto Cyran as he whispers something into Vakker's ear. Perhaps they were closer than he first thought. Or perhaps the hunter was taking this opportunity to get on Vakker's good side by offering to defend him. Either were possible, one was certainly bolder than the other. Still, he was confident between himself and those who would spring to his defense could easily take out both these individuals. Though that certainty wavers a bit as Vakker speaks. 

If the satyr was telling the truth about advising quite a few people here, that would complicate things depending on who exactly he meant. Worst case scenario the satyr was in league with someone like Bellighul. He couldn't cross out the possibility that Vakker was actually one of Kamille's men either. It was even possible that he was referring to the nobility or the hosts of the party themselves. That would certainly change the power dynamic of this conversation in a way Zarius was not keen on. It could also be possible the satyr was full of shit, though he seemed pretty confident in his words. 

He sits back. "Even advisors need second opinions." He says while glancing at Cyran before thinking of a story to share. 

The tiefling had quite a few at this point, some that were more lackluster than others. He glances about the room for inspiration to strike and his eyes land on the sight of the large minotaur with a pumpkin on his head. Shaa was trustworthy and not likely to turn on him easily. He had good intuition and a fondness for his brother. 

"See that tall fellow in the pumpkin head there. We are currently part of the Fighter's Guild. There was an incident not too long ago when a number of mages launched an attack against the Martial Academy. They caused quite a disturbance and even summoned a spire viper inside the building. We managed to deal with them though."

The story wasn't particularly detailed, but there were tidbits in there for the keen ears of the satyr to pick up on. Zarius intentionally brought up an ally of his, his connection with the guild, and that they defeated casters which hopefully Vakker would take note of. None of this information was particularly secret either, so he could easily cross reference it himself.

An advisor and a member of the fighter’s guild… Cyran mentally catalogued their responses, unsure of what he should do next. While he didn’t normally engage in games like this, he had to admit it was fun to watch the other two volley back and forth. He liked both of them, and while they seemed to be cut from the same cloth, they got along slightly better than a house on fire.

He wondered what he had to offer to Zarius, though. He presently had nothing but himself, and he doubted that Zarius would find the same allure in that sort of offer if he was as accomplished as he claimed to be. Still, Cyran still had yet to join a guild, and held a certain level of anonymity that Zarius might like.

An idea formed in his mind.

He was aware this action might look duplicitous, but in the spirit of business, he figured Vakker wouldn’t mind. After all, in his own words, they were there to make connections.

He approached Zarius’s chair, perched on the armrest the same way he had for Vakker. Keeping his voice low, he whispered, “Here’s something you might find interesting. I have a special talent for disappearing from people’s minds. It’s very helpful for information gathering. In fact, I was planning on doing the same to the both of you once this conversation was said and done. But I’ve been having fun tonight. Tease him a little more, get some information from him, and I’ll offer my services to you.”

He pulled himself up from his chair and sat back down, returning to the normal flow of conversation. “A spire viper? You must have seen a lot during your travels. I’m afraid hunting isn’t nearly as interesting. What about you, Vakker? Do you have any stories to share? I’m sure you’ve met all sorts of interesting people as an advisor.”

Vakker just watched with amusement as Cyran whispered to Zarius the same way he had whispered in his own ear. So blatantly playing both sides? How bold, how daring. It was almost impressive to the Satyr. And he said he wasn't interested in making connections... So that was a lie. He followed Cyran with his eyes as he moved back to his seat again, an amused expression on his smiling face.

"I might have some stories, but I'm afraid I practice client confidentiality. Can't have my clients losing face from having everyone know their best ideas had to be purchased. I'm sure you must have had some interesting hunts. Some dangerous game, maybe?"

Vakker turned the questioning back onto Cyran. A little punishment for their disrespect was in order, and he hoped Zarius would agree. Playing both sides so openly would have consequences.

Zarius would be raising an eyebrow at Cyran if he had them. The elf was obviously playing to both sides and is not being shy about it. That said, if he is being truthful about his ability to just disappear from one's memory, he supposes that the hunter does not need to be as subtle about such things. The question now was if Cyran shared this same information with Vakker. The elf was playing a very dangerous game.

The tiefling looks at Vakker as Cyran turns on him this time only to have Vakker turn it right back on Cyran. He couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, this certainly is a round about conversation." He chuckles and sits back with his arms folded and shaking his head. "Alright, so Mister Cyran is a sell sword and Mister Vakker is an advisor. I think it is very clear to all of us that we run in some of the more...secretive circles. Mister Cyran, your offer is amusing, but seeing as you refuse to detail any of your work I find it hard to have any faith in your skills. Likewise to you, Mister Vakker, without any evidence that your advise is worth listening to I am hesitant to recommend your services to my contacts."

He smiles at the two men in a friendly manner. "I worry that none of us will be waking away with anything of real value at this rate. So, which one of you is bold enough to do a little gambling this evening? If no one is willing to risk playing any cards then we hardly have a game."

Vakker put his head on his hand, leaning on his arm rest, and faced the ashy Tiefling with a smile that had a hint of mock anger. He wasn't worried at all about a man he hardly knew not offering his services to clients that he had no proof of even existing. This Zarius person was more arrogant than the satyr had previously thought, especially after saying something so outright hypocritical. He gave a small chuckle before speaking.

"You say that as if you've offered anything of value yourself. Why don't you go first? Shouldn't adventurers be willing to take risks?" he said with a little sass, and again placing extra emphasis on the adventurer.

Honestly, this Tiefling had offered less than Vakker and Cyran had, and then had the gall to say no one had put any cards on the table. Adventurer was hardly a job title. He also took note that Cyran had told Zarius about his real job as well. He was disappointed his question had been stopped by Zarius, but he'd just have to remember to try and punish the elf again later.

He removed his hoof from resting on his knee and placed it on the ground with a soft click, a thin, slippery sheet of ice spreading from his hoof across the ground a few feet around Cyran's chair.

"And no more whispering." he said quietly without removing his gaze from Zarius, but his words clearly directed toward Cyran.

---

Smooth Talking
Ice Over

So they were foregoing subtlety and jumping right into it, then. Cyran supposed he deserved the questions and the thin sheet of ice that now surrounded him, warning him against doing anything so blatant again. He hadn’t been especially subtle, but subtle hadn’t been what he was going for.

Things were moving along now.

“If I’m going to be honest, I don’t like the term sellsword.” He said eventually. There was no point in being coy about it anymore, especially since he could sense that Vakker wasn’t especially pleased about Cyran playing both fields. He drummed his fingers against the armrest. When he spoke, he kept his voice just low enough that only the two on either side of him would be able to hear. If they wanted honesty, they would get honesty.

“As I mentioned before, I don’t have much in the way of wealth or influence. But I meant what I offered to the both of you. It would be good for you to have someone on your side who can clean up messes, or… people, who you can’t exactly take care of yourself or want traced back.”

The next part he directed at Vakker, who’d asked for the story, though he made sure that Zarius knew he heard the point about his skills being brought into question. “And as for stories? I’m not sure I have any that speak to my skills, none you could verify by looking into. But isn’t that more of a testimony to my skills than if you’d heard of me?” He shrugged. It was true he hadn’t seen very much in the way of daring quests the way Zarius had. He was quick, clean, and efficient. In and out.

“But if you want something really interesting, I once tracked down a target in Moonveil Forest with a strange companion, a girl who’d been born with a lizard tail. She had a… gruesome talent for making people’s veins burst. You could ask the remaining bandits about me, but I’m afraid they wouldn’t be able to tell you. They’d only remember the girl.”

He hoped that was enough to satisfy the both of them.

When he finished his story, Cyran leaned forward. “Now, you may not believe me, but I’ve been rather honest with the both of you. I’ve told you about myself and offered my services. If you don’t like what I’ve offered, then it’s your choice if you want to take me up on it at a later date or not. But I’ve put my cards down on the table, and I believe it’s your time to pay up.” He smiled. “After all, I like to have some idea of who I’m working with.”

As he finished speaking, he leaned back and tried to take another sip of his drink, only to find it empty. He shrugged and set the glass aside. He could flag down another waiter later- for now, he wanted to see how the others would respond.

The tiefling's golden eyes narrow at Vakker. So, this advisor is a spellcaster. That is concerning. Nothing he couldn't handle, but he did have an innate dislike for practitioners of the arcane. His attention never leaves Vakker as Cyran begins to speak. As far as he is concerned, the elf was less of a threat than the satyr. That is until he offers some more details about what kind of hunter he exactly is. This peaks Zarius' interest. 

Given the comment he made earlier about being able to disappear from people's memories, it would stand to reason that Cyran was an assassin by trade. The tiefling glances back over his shoulder and across the room to a particularly pale individual looking down at the drink in his hand with disgust. What was Caedes doing still standing at that buffet table anyway? He would have to bother him later about it. 

He turns back to the pair and gives Cyran a nod of acknowledgement. It was a start.

His attention is drawn back to Vakker. The satyr was more steadfast and likely would not concede to going next. He thought it was mules that were said to be stubborn, perhaps they should include goatmen in that saying. He sighs. 

"I suppose if Mister Cyran here is in the business of cleaning up messes, I am in the business of pointing those messes out. I work in espionage and deal in information. My adventuring has allowed me to make various connections. My network is growing and there are ample opportunities for those with relevant skills. As well as plenty of coin courtesy of my benefactors. Of course with the nature of our work, discretion is of the utmost importance."

He looks at Vakker expectantly, the fine gold chains dangling form his horns gently swaying as his head tilts to the side slightly. "I believe what we both have disclosed is enough for someone of any amount of skill to work with. So, please, Mister Vakker, advise us."

Vakker was certainly interested in both of them now. If they were being honest, their skills could be quite useful to him. Eliminating political opponents and stealing business information from rivals were both necessities in his profession. An assassin and a spy, sounds like a perfect family. Maybe he should write a romance novel about a pair like that... But, he also noticed Zarius looking at someone by the buffet. Wasm't that the same man he'd entered with? Oh, how cute. The ashy Tiefling and the albino man's color schemes were quite complimentary. Maybe that assassin and spy could be a vampire and a dark grey Tiefling...

But, daydreaming about writing a romance novel had to wait. He was in the middle of a conversation, after all. He looked at Cyran and Zarius and leaned forward, speaking quietly so only they could hear him.

"Yes, that was enough. I've also been quite honest, you know. I really do practice confidentiality with my clients, as I'm sure both of you do, so I can't give you names. I'll just say, many more politicians and business owners are far less competent than you might think. They lucked into their positions or inherited it, and now the only way they can keep their power is to have someone else practically do their job for them. That someone would be me."

With that said, he leaned back again and put his arm over the back of the seat, one leg across the other. He looked to Zarius before continuing.

"Well now that we're all connected, let's talk about something a little more fun! Tell me. Who's the handsome man you entered with over by the buffet table? A coworker, a friend?"

More...? Vakker thought to himself.

It was no surprise to Cyran that Vakker had a lot of sway with politicians, many of whom sounded like figureheads that Vakker controlled. That was a useful friend to have. Cyran didn’t exactly have political power, or the ability to tug at the strings of high class political figures. The answers of his conversation partners satisfied him for now, though. He didn’t expect to get much more out of either of them, not in polite company.

When Vakker changed the subject, Cyran’s attention drifted to the buffet table, where Vakker gestured to a vaguely familiar person. Cyran’s eyes widened in recognition, surprised to see that Zarius was acquainted with Caedes. Cyran met him briefly some time ago in Moonglade, back before he’d gathered his bearings and started making something of himself. He’d been lost and confused, both literally and metaphorically, and Caedes had helped him. It may have been some time since then, but Cyran never forgot a favor.

It’s a small world, he thought to himself as he turned to Zarius, wondering how the two were acquainted.

Zarius has a very good idea of what kind of person Vakker is now. How many 'advisors' had tried to weasel their way into their own family and leverage their influence and wealth for their own gain? Too many, and his father was smart enough to never fall for their manipulations. These folks are like parasites, feeding off of their host until they're no longer worth the effort before moving on to the next. It would be hard to put any trust in Vakker if he proved to be the same as the others he had left bloodied in the streets due to their impudence. 

Vakker's change of topic catches the tiefling off guard and he tilts his head a bit as Cyran's recognition is evident in his eyes. Did the elf know Caedes? It was possible that they ran in the same circles, but Cyran's mannerisms didn't strike him as being from the rough streets of Darkveil. 

"An ally. As I said, I have many connections." He didn't want to disclose too much about Caedes without the man's consent. It was possible these two had connections to their enemies and he would rather not be stabbed this night. He decides to change the focus of the conversation off the changeling and onto someone else.

He spots none other than the Witch of Moonglade gliding about the dancefloor with various others. Seemed like she intended to dance with every individual this evening. 

"The woman there is quite well known in the southwest. The Witch of Moonglade. A skilled alchemist and archmage, I believe she is even one of the few members of the Mage's Guild here in Capitol Landing. She too is very well connected."