Slow Night's Doorstep (Open)

[Sablerose]

"Seems we have similar missions, even if we're going about it in different ways. I wish you luck in yours, as well as in your business venture." Calla lifted her glass again and offered a salute to Dusty.

[Dusty Dawson]

Dusty clinked her own against Calla's, her cheerful grin still on full display. After a salutary swig of ale, she set it back down on the table, "Well thanks! An' if ya ever need a hand with anythin', just lemme know. It'd be my pleasure ta help out."

Dusty downed the remainder of her ale in one full swig. It was a watery bitter taste, and yet it oddly hit the spot just nicely. She signaled the bartender to fetch another pint.

[Sablerose]

"Well, I might not be particularly useful in your line of work, since most of my talents lie more towards the woodlands than the city. But if you do have need of me, let me know. I'll also see if anything comes up that I might be able to steer your way."

Calla finished off her drink with a grimace. It was definitely watered down. Not that the taste was any better with that state. Anything of interest, Grey?

Nothing that stands out in a place like this. Several people complaining about their job, wives, and other sundry things. A few are trying to decide what to make of you two, and more than a few are referring to me as a 'flea-bitten cur' Greystreak gave an audible snort. I might not be flea-bitten now, but you may have to cast a few pest-removal spells if we stay here more than a hour or so. As for the cur comment, I take exception. I am quite pure bred, thank you.

Easy there. Calla resisted the urge to laugh at her Familiar's hurt pride. However, as often as he liked to remind Calla to act like a Princess more, he was also quite proud of her ability to enjoy the simple life. To her mind, that entitled him to take a bit of pride in his background...whatever it was. For the most part, Druids never really knew much about where Familiars came from. It was known that they were spirits inhabiting animal bodies, but whether the bodies were possessed or formed by the spirits, no one knew. All that was known was that when the time came, they made their presence known to a Druid. Don't let them get to you. Remember, they still think of you as a dog. Works in our favor. I'll give you a bath myself if you can put up with it for a little longer.

You do know that you are likely to get sodden from that, my dear.

No likely about it. I've given you enough baths in the past, especially when you first came to me. I've actually been a little slack in doing it myself for awhile now. Be like old times.

All right, but you better not try to tie bows into my first as you first tried to.

Deal! "I'm surprised that this place is as quiet as it is. I would have thought that there would be far more audible conversation at the very least."

[Dusty Dawson]

The conversation passed along completely under Dusty's radar. Having not been invited to the little mental conversation, that should come as no surprise. But, the slight gap in conversation returned her attention to Greystreak.

No doubt about it, the animal was a wolf. Strange that such an animal would follow a human around. Dusty looked back up to Calla and her casual observation.

"Sure is. Most places 'round here ain't so quiet. Might just be a slow night, though." Dusty chuckled and took a quick sweep of the room. No unusual characters. Nobody that stood out, at least.

"That, or we're just in the wrong tavern."

[Sablerose]

"Did you want to try another place? On the other hand, I really have no idea what exactly constitutes a good place to look for possibilities in your line of work." She lowered her voice and leaned in. "Some place more seedy, maybe?"

[Dusty Dawson]

"Haha! Now that's the spirit!" Dusty grinned and gave a hearty slap on Calla's shoulder. She picked up her newly delivered pint and swigged away. It would probably be better tasting than anything that their destinations would be providing.

"Finish up your drink an' let's hit the road!"

[Sablerose]

She looked at her already empty glass. "I think I'm well ahead of you there." She pulled out some coin to pay for her drink. "I'm pretty much ready when you are."

[Dusty Dawson]

"Well then....down the hatch!" Dusty grinned and proceeded to vanquish the remnants of the ale. What didn't make the transition from mug to mouth was wiped off on a sleeve as she slammed the mug back down on the counter. A few coins marked her payment as she stood up to take to the night with her new friend.

"Ah! Alright, let's get to the more in'restin' parts o' town!"

[Sablerose]

Greystreak came to his feet, turned toward the exit, and stretched and yawned. Calla realized that this was for the benefit of the patrons, a showing of his teeth and claws to dissuade any foolish enough to attempt something foolish with the women. Covertly, Meg looked around the place. The look of shock and fear on their faces nearly made her smile, but that would have ruined the effect Grey had worked for.

After placing her money down and slipping to her feet, she turned toward Dusty. "Well, I'm not all that familiar with the city yet. If you have any ideas where to go next, lead the way."

[Dusty Dawson]

The patrons of the tavern reacted as most sensible people would. They were quite concerned with the wolf. Not that Dusty cared. They were on their way out.

"Well, I've been kickin' around for a while." she said with a grin, "Now then...let's see what some of the more colorful spots got cookin'!"

Excited at the night's prospects, the detective led the way outside and back on the infamous district's streets. If there was trouble to be found, than Dusty was going to make sure they found it.

[Sablerose]

Calla walked beside Dusty. She had to admire the detective's...spunk. Even if Calla wondered just how so boisterous a woman could possible trail someone. Then again, Dusty was not on an assignment from what she said. There wasn't a reason to be overly discreet.

"All right, which way from here?" Meg questioned as the trio came upon a Y-split in the road. "There's bound to be taverns on both, but nothing stands out to me about either. What about you, Dusty?"

[Dusty Dawson]

At the split, Dusty took a careful look at their options. A few names stood out. She had sauntered in to one or two, before and they certainly served a very sketchy clientele. However...

"All depends, really." Dusty said, her demeanor shifting, ever so slightly. Blue eyes scanned the dimly lit streets, "There are number of places we could pop in and find your average low-life carousing with his pals. But...if we want a particularly entertaining evening, I say we look for what don't belong out here."

A glint caught her eye. A familiar glint. One she had spied from the windows of a potion shop in one of Venus' more up and coming sections.

"And what we're lookin' for just stepped in there." she said, her head nodding in the establishment's direction, "I'm gonna head in first. Probably best we don't enter together. You an' your furry buddy tend to attract more attention than me. I'll head towards the back, so when folks start turnin' your way, I won't be quite as visible. Keep an eye on the fella with the pricey cane. Chances are he ain't there for the pleasant conversation."

Dusty paused for a minute and then turned to Calla. Making sure the hood was off the other red-head she removed her hat and placed it on her head. "Not bad!" she said, with a grin, "You're gonna be turnin' lot's o' heads!"

[Sablerose]

"A woman with a wolf tends to do that," Calla replied with a grin, purposely choosing not to recognize the statement as a probable compliment. She adjusted the hat, setting it on her relatively short hair at a bit of an angle. "So what am I supposed to be looking for with this man with the cane? Is he a potential client or a potential troublemaker? Or both?"

[Dusty Dawson]

"Both ain't too far off." Dusty smirked, "Fella hired me a while back...but I did some snoopin' an' found there's a bit more to 'im than I first thought. Now I got a good chance at seein' the more colorful company he keeps."

The former soldier grinned in her approval of how the druid was wearing her hat. Now that her newest companion was properly eye-catching, Dusty felt ready to carry out her plan. The good Mr. Rathbone was in Night's Doorstep. Now, she was going to find out why. Dusty turned on a booted heel and headed off towards the tavern.

She looked over her shoulder for one last instruction, "Keep the attention on ya, Cal. But keep on your toes. The fellas in here may not be the toughest folks, but they sure can get nasty."

[Sablerose]

Calla gave Dusty to a slow count of thirty before she entered, with Greystreak at her side. The new tavern was anything but on the inside. Though it wasn't falling apart, it was just clean enough to keep everyone from feeling like needing a bath after they left. She stopped at the door -a bit dramatically, she would admit- to look around. It was definitely a seedier establishment, but Dusty's idea seemed to work.

Calla lifted her head to look at the place under the brim of Dusty's hat. Greystreak stood calmly, looking around, scanning for any immediate signs of trouble. There was obvious nervousness. That tended to happen with a wolf coming in. However, no one made any sort of sudden moves. Now that she had their eyes, Calla made her way toward one table, just off to the side. It wasn't far from where Dusty was, and it allowed her to keep an eye on her.

Normally, I'm not a fan of eavesdropping on a friend... she confessed to Greystreak.

But you want me to listen in on her conversation and relay you what I hear through our link? the Familiar finished for her. Reasonable, given the circumstances. You will have to watch for trouble, though. Sorting through all the conversation with my ears can take a bit of concentration on my part. And since reading her mind would give away that I'm more than just a normal wolf to her, I will have to do it the...old-fashioned way.