On one hand, Fish’s reasoning make sense. On the other hand, increased security means more blood to spill even if the job is a little harder. Honestly, this is a prison. Their security is surprisingly pathetic, and Perrath chocks that up to the sun elves being as arrogant as ever. Fuck them
.
Perrath does appreciate Fish not simply climbing up his front and across his face, and he is somewhat surprised, albeit pleasantly, to have the aviankin sit on his shoulders. The dragon would see something like this as beneath him, but Fish is a valuable ally and someone that has quickly developed his respect with their tact, so he doesn’t find himself bothered in the least. With the secret passage opened, Perrath squeezes through, walking quietly through the darkness.

“Hm, seems oddly devoid of security,” the dragon notes under his breath, and it seems that Fish has picked up on it too since they put on some sort of glasses contraption that helps them identify something. Perrath follows Fish while they inspect the area, and at the mention of wards, he nods. That makes perfect sense. The trick is how will they get their quarry out without alerting the guards?

Well, perhaps that’s an inevitability. “I will send scouts ahead of us to keep the path clear once we’re ready to run,” he says, the shadows at his feet dancing with anticipation of being released like hounds on a hunt. “Anyone who remains to stand in our way will be faced with the terror of a dragon’s might that will send them running for their mothers.”

Turning back to face the way they came, Perrath nods to Fish, ready to act immediately upon freeing their man.

"Fish would guess with how hidden it is and the type of people held here, they are not expecting people to break in and they only time they leave the cages is with a regiment of guards to lead them to their execution....an oversight because the guards here have become soft."

The bird prefered the guards soft and stupid, but they could also respect Perrath's desire for worthy opponents. They could entertain themselves with locks and puzzles, but the few times they've worked with the fighter types boredom becomes a problem. So far though, Fish trusts Perrath is just bloodthirsty but not stupid.

"Fish has two plans....one would be Fish's preferrance...one would be a....thanks? for Perrath." They pause a moment. "We can free our target and slip out of here over the gates. Likely a few guards to dispatch, but relatively quick and quiet....or Fish unlocks all of the cages and while Fish leads the target out, Perrath leads a break out and riot. Fish has mostly controled how this goes and Fish is being told to be more considerate of others, so Fish believes the second option could still accomplish the goal while allowing Perrath to do what he does best."

It will take time, but Fish is ready for Perrath's thoughts on the matter. A good riot with the people in here would be an incredible distraction for Fish and their target, but it is unnecessary. It also seemed odd that their version of "being nice" was "let someone commit a lot of crime" but let's focus on one thing at a time.

Perrath chuckles, a somewhat menacing ring, at the mention that the guards are soft. He agrees. They are soft and easily cut through, their insides spread about on the walls like butter on toast. “They are soft indeed,” he says simply.

It comes to his surprise though, when Fish presents two plans. The first seems like the easiest and most reasonable plan, but the fact that the bird also presents a plan that would satisfy Perrath’s bloodlust and ‘do what he does best…’ Well, it leaves Perrath touched to say the least, and an appreciative smile spreads across the dragon’s face. “Your consideration does not go unnoticed, friend,” he says. “I quite appreciate the second plan. It does seem to be the most fun option here, however, it will draw unneeded risk, though might conceal the escape of our particular target more easily…”

Rapping a talon against his chin, Perrath thinks. “As much as I prefer it, the ones who asked us to assist with this prison break likely would prefer we do not bring down more heat upon them by causing such a riot. So, I propose this instead: I have quite enjoyed working with you thus far, so, should you see fit, I would be happy to do so in a situation less touchy in the future where the two of us can kill and maim as we see fit. My blade’s thirst can be quenched more another day. If this is agreeable to you, we will go with the first plan.”

The shadows twitching at Perrath’s feet start to rise from the floor, coagulating into a solid form: a somewhat draconic creature of shadow with wings^[1] that stands as tall as an average human but does not meet Perrath’s own height. Its eyes are glowing, purple voids, and its head turns to look at Perrath before the dragon directs the creature down the hall they came through to stop anyone who might have noticed that they came this way.

Then he looks at Fish. “I am ready when you are.”

---

1. Quillomancer - Summons From the Void [1/2 topic] [1/4 post duration]

Fish shrugs and turns back to their work. If Perrath didn't want to make it a blood bath, then far be it from Fish to push the point. They take out their lock picking tools and get to work. There are several locks on the door, lots of redundancies, these were well secured it seemed. Unlocking one lock would re-lock another one, so Fish had to find the pattern.

Thankfully for the bird and the dragon, they are really good at pattern recognition. After a few minutes all the locks clunk into place and the door creaks open. A small goblinoid creature slips out from around the door with a yawn and a stretch.

"Bouts times someones comes out heres to saves me." He picks a fleck of something from his teeth and flicks it away as he looks at them both.

Down the hall, Perrath's scout would see a group of guards starting to hustle their way. It seems they have finally started to notice the few dead guards and missed rotations. On the one hand, the guards don't know where the group is or how many people it is, but on the other hand there are now a lot of people to consider.

Hearing the voices, Fish perks up to hone in and see if they can get a gauge on how many people it is.

"Fish has a plan...Fish can blind the group and once that happens, dash for the window. It's only the second story, injuries from falling should be minimum....Perrath will have to carry the goblin, Fish cannot."

The goblin holds up his arms for uppies with a smug grin.

It’s not that Perrath doesn’t want to take the blood bath path, it’s just that sometimes practicality has to win over brutality. Nevertheless, he appreciates Fish considering the more fun of the two options for him. That’s more than the dragon can say about certain other individuals he has worked with.

Finally, the goblinoid is free, and much to Perrath’s dismay, he starts complaining immediately. If only the silencing wards could continue to be applied to the ungrateful wretch. The idea of having to carry him is annoying but not unforeseen.

“I can fly,” Perrath says, his wings unfurling slightly beneath his cape. “I can carry all three of us over the wall and into the city to make our escape. My shadow will remain behind to continue to be a distraction in the meantime.”

Speaking of, the summon has found its mark down the hall. An unlucky guard who peered into the open passage immediately got beset by the creature. A cacophony of surprised yells and metal clattering against the stairs reverberates through the hall.

“Time to go,” Perrath says, unceremoniously scooping up the goblin under his arm and rushing through the tight passage.

Fish waits until Perrath is cleared from the line of sight before pulling a flask from their bandolier. As the ripcord attached to a cork inside is freed, a chemical reaction begins inside the bottle. When Fish throws it against the far wall a bright light explodes and fills the hallway, guards screaming about now being blind.^[1]

Fish is right behind the draconynh letting his large body clear a path. Eventually the bird slips around him to get to the window, quickly unlatching it and jumping out without hesitation. Their scarf suddenly catches the wind and lets them drift down to the alleyway below.^[2] Fish's gaze snaps back up to the window to make sure Perrath is following.

Escape was all but sealed at this point. They had created just enough pandemonium that the guards would not be able to quickly chase after them. Still, Fish wasn't keen on sticking around to see just how successful they were in stalling the guards.

Plus, learning what they know about Perrath so far the goblin was likely going to wear out his welcome soon. Fish may have few social skills, but they are not openly antagonistic at least. The goblin is not as smart.

---

1. Flash Flask
2. Free flowing scarf

The goblin is absolutely not as smart as Fish. Not even close. The whole time he’s hauled under Perrath’s arm, he loudly complains about the tight squeeze and the discomfort he finds himself in between Perrath’s gauntlet and cuirass. Ahead of Perrath, his summoned shadow creature knocks a guard down the stairs and rushes the others in the hall. The explosion of bright light nearly fizzles the creature out of existence, but with a bit of bolstering with magic, it reforms and keeps tearing at the now-blinded guards.

With the window open, Perrath starts to offer Fish a lift when the bird simply leaps out. Well, they are a bird, after all. Screaming goblin underarm, Perrath squeezes through the window and leaps out, soaring to the safety of the alleyway below.

“Quiet yourself, goblin!” he hisses as his claws make contact with the ground. The rescuee is very quickly released from Perrath’s grasp. It can’t be too soon, either.

“That ride coulda been smoother,” the goblin whines, dusting himself off. “You coulda let me ride on your shoulders.”

“Absolutely not,” Perrath growls. “We need to keep moving before they find us here. You won’t be any safer if you don’t silence your petulant whining.”

“As if!” the goblin says, crossing his arms.

Perrath looks at Fish for a long moment, exchanging a silent gaze that says if the creature doesn’t shut up, he’ll make him.

They could also just leave him. The job is technically done.

Fish stares at the goblin a long moment before simply sticking a cloth over his mouth, the corners secured in place with sticky paste.[1] It was not sound proof, but it did silence the goblin. The bird then produces their gun and levels it at the goblin while motioning to walk.

They were not going to risk the end of this mission because a petty goblin wouldn't shut up. In a technical sense, the job was done, but the exact specifications were to get the goblin outside city limits and Fish was a stickler for details. So, they were going to make sure this goblin exited the city limits.

The trio head to the docks where the goblin is shoved onto a boat and tossed an oar. The waves move and seem to expedite this escape from the city.[2] With muffled complaints, the goblin begins to drift out of sight.

"Fish is still considering shooting them once they are outside the city, the job did not specify the goblin had to return anywhere, just leave the city." Tone is hard to convey for Fish, but it is not hard to tell they are not joking.

---

1. Improvisation Master (cloth + sticky paste)
2. Sea Caller

While Perrath has never seen a firearm up close, it seems he and the goblin both immediately understand its deadly intent. Perrath finds himself grateful for Fish’s tact in the situation. They do technically need to put the goblin on the provided boat out of the city or else the job won’t be considered done. Pointing a sword at the creature while escorting him away would draw too much attention, so the gun makes things much less discreet while the group sticks to back alleys until they reach the docks.

If Fish allows him the honors, Perrath boots the goblin into the dingey and tosses the oars at him. With a push of the boat, it floats away from the dock, oddly carried away as if by the sea’s will itself. When he sees Fish’s hands motioning as the bird speaks, Perrath’s cheeks puff up with a stifled laugh. “I quite like the way you think, Fish,” he says, a dastardly grin peeling his lips away from his teeth. “Our job is completed. He is technically outside of the city on the boat he is expected to be sailing away on. There’s no telling what might happen to him out there on the water… The sea is dangerous, after all.”

On the ground, Perrath’s shadow twitches deviously. If Fish does decide to shoot the goblin, he sends another void creature out along the water to dump the dingey and the goblin’s body into the ocean.

Regardless, Perrath looks to his small partner. “I quite enjoy your cunning and sharp wit, Fish. Perhaps our paths will cross again.”

"Fish will inquire for more details about any rescue escorts in the future." With a flourish the gun disappears into its holster under the bird's cloak.

The goblin certainly was annoying, but Fish's opinions didn't matter just the job. Besides....the goblin wasn't worth the cost of gunpowder and bullets. They had yet to secure a sustainable source of gunpowder so it was an expensive endeavor to keep themselves armed. It was a better intimidation tool than anything at the moment.

They do watch them float away for a moment, before looking up to Perrath, "Perhaps...You are more suitable to this work than many of Fish's more physical adept contacts."

It was impressive to work with someone that filled the role of Muscle that also was good at the quieter parts of the work. It wasn't often you got that mix....plus his lack of care for what happened to others so long as the job was complete was a bonus. Fish was not overly violent, but if the calculations made sense they wouldn't hesitate. Fish appreciated someone who understood the sentiment.

That respect means Perrath gets an actual goodbye from Fish which is just Fish turns around and leaves. The key difference is Fish waits for any parting words from Perrath before leaving and doesn't just slip into the shadows mid-sentence.