On The Fence (Open)

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

The criminal element could be quite accessible, to those enterprising enough to locate it. Daring Jo happily considered herself just such an individual. Her lifestyle demanded that at least some of the goods she "acquired" be sold in a timely fashion. Sure, she had been warned to steer clear of the City of Venus. No doubt her latest escapade with the bounty hunter that had been dispatched for her apprehension still had a few of the City Watch seething.

Of course, doing business right under their noses provided a certain thrill all on it's own. And in one of the more upper scale parts of the city, no less! Of course the charming port had seen it's bad days. But, now that it was on the rise, once more? It was a lovely location...

Jo actually had allowed some time to pass by, since her wild carriage ride into the mountains. Spring was coming to the country and some of the heat had to have boiled down. And now a days the Watch largely had it's hands full with Night's Doorstep. That left her free to pursue other opportunities elsewhere in the city.

...Not to mention steal some glances at the rather attractive populace and new arrivals of New River...

She threw a wink in the direction of one fair maiden, before ducking into a side street. There was an appointment to keep, after all. Marcellus was hardly a man who appreciated tardiness...and it was something that would no doubt be reflected in his estimation of her goods.

Far from a major player, her fence had earned a bit of respect from the highway robber. Or, to be more accurate, repeat business. He was just trustworthy enough to pay the proper fees and not sell her out to the Watch.

When she reached a rather unassuming door, Jo wrapped her knuckles in a very particular fashion. The door opened a crack.

"What ya want?" a gruff voice inquired.

"I received a bad shipment." Jo stated.

"C'mon in...we'll get ya a refund." the door opened further and Jo was permitted access to the dimly lit room it concealed.

It didn't take long for Jo to conclude her business. Now, her pockets heavier with money, she decided to take in a few of the sights that this fine city had to offer. The Daring Lady was back on the main streets. First a fine lunch was in order...perhaps something a pleasant view of the street and the many pleasant looking passersby...

[Kizzy]

Kizzy was running an errand for her new mistress, Lita.

No, not mistress, but what was the word again...? Ah, yes, employer.

She was in the New River quarter of the City of Venus, looking for a woman named Lilith who was in possession of a very particular... mummified hand. The thought of having to handle such an object was creeping Kizzy out-- but if it was what her employer wanted, it was what she would do.

She stopped in front of a tall, brick building that sported a sign with a hand that had an eye in the middle of it. Kizzy checked her directions. This was the place. She took a deep breath and entered the building....

When she emerged it was, thankfully, without the mummified hand. It seemed the hand had just been sold to another patron, whose name Kizzy was now in possession of. But before she started another wild goose chase it was time for some lunch.

She checked the pouch on her belt-- yes, it was still there, and yes, it was still full of money, something Kizzy was not used to. She started to wander down the street in search of a place to eat.

That was when she bumped into Daring Jo.

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

It was such a fine day, Jo just couldn't help but take her time. Enjoy the sights and the weather. Having actually donned a rather fine looking set of clothes, the Daring Lady actually appeared to be just another eligible young woman out on the town. Her prior exchange having gone unnoticed by the light crowds that had been moving about.

Then, a bump. Jo had to try very had not to take advantage of the accident and lift the very tempting pouch of money off of the other woman's belt. It would have been easy, but Jo wasn't some pickpocket who would settle for any amount of stolen goods that bumbled their way into her hands. No, Daring Jo would have needed to do something with a lot more flare.

Besides...the young lady did not appear to be in possession of any great amount of coin. She smirked and patted her on the shoulder, "You'll have to be a bit more careful, my dear..." she said, "There are some people around here who don't take too kindly minor accidents. Luckily! I find myself in need of some proper company, this afternoon! Come now! I know fine little shop to get some lunch."

Without waiting for a reply, she locked arms with the servant and led towards her establishment of choice. This was bound to be a far more interesting day than she had anticipated.

[Kizzy]

"Excuse me, ma'am, I didn't mean to bump into you!" Kizzy replied quickly to the woman as she grabbed Kizzy's arm. "Wait, what?"

As Kizzy was dragged along the streets of the New River district she glanced at the other woman, and Gods, was she beautiful. Kizzy blushed-- here she was, arm in arm with a stranger, and all she could think about how beautiful the woman was.

A lock of the woman's hair brushed across Kizzy's face and she blushed even harder. This woman even smelled good.

Suddenly Kizzy's stomach twisted itself into knots. Wasn't she supposed to be having these feelings about a boy, not another woman? But then, she'd never felt that way about boys. "Is there something wrong with me?" Kizzy thought out loud. She only realized she had said it out loud when the other woman turned to give her an odd look.

"Um... I mean, I-- I don't even know your name!" the younger girl stuttered.

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

An eyebrow perched upwards at the strange question that had been suddenly blurted out. Obviously, it was something meant for a more internal dialogue. This caused a chuckle to rise up out of her throat as she led her surprised companion along the street.

"From my own perspective, there is very little wrong with you, my dear..." she teased, smirking broadly, "Ah, but we must exchange some names! I am Jacqueline Weyland...now, if you would be so kind as to honor me with a name of your own?"

The name was fake, of course. She was right in the City of Venus and it certainly was not the place where she wanted to be dropping her true name. Sure, the City Watch would be more than pleased to hear someone identify themselves as the Daring Lady...but then she would have to cut short her time with the young lady who had the "good fortune" to bump into her.

[Kizzy]

Kizzy blushed at the woman's comment, but managed to stammer, "I-- I'm Kizzy." She blinked before adding, "No last name. Just Kizzy."

Jacqueline, she thought, a pretty name for a pretty woman.

She let herself be dragged along for a few more seconds before she asked, "Where are we going, Miss Weyland?"

Kizzy supposed she was being far too trusting, letting this strange woman guide her through the city, but then, she wanted to trust Jacqueline. She had a feeling that she was going to learn something, something important, about herself, and Kizzy's feelings were generally right.

So she followed the woman, and hoped for the best.

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

"A cozy little restaurant just down the street, here...it has quite the view!" she said. With only a few quick side-glances, she could already tell that her new companion was going to make for a far more interesting time than she had been anticipating.

Of course, not being a mind reader, Jo had no idea what thoughts were running around in Kizzy's head. Likely, if she were, it was just something else that she would find incredibly amusing about the girl.

"I would say that you probably don't frequent this particular area..." she started, "But, then again I have not been by here in quite some time. I do love visiting the city, don't you? So many pleasant sights!"

She chuckled, lightly...restraining her normally boisterous and hearty laugh. It was an effortless act. Jo did have a lot of practice, after all.

[Kizzy]

"I don't frequent this area," Kizzy admitted. "I usually stay nearer to the castle, or go out with my new employer." She hugged closer to her companion as they went through a large crowd. "I'm not from around here, either.... I come from the Mishkani empire, to the east."

Kizzy looked around at all the pretty buildings and monuments in New River. "I do like this city, though, I think I could get quite used to living here!" She turned to Jacqueline. "Are you from the City of Venus? You seem to know this district quite well."

[[Sorry my posts are so short.... I'm still somewhat new to RP and sometimes have trouble thinking stuff up]]

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

With a broad smirk, Jo chuckled, "Oh, you might say that..." she said, "I've certainly spent enough time in the city to have learned my way around. Ah, but I'm a country girl...from a little village out in the great lands of our fine nation. But, the more interesting people are always found in the city."

Skillfully, Jo navigated the street as they wound their way towards the restaurant she had mentioned. It didn't take all that much longer to find.

"You'll have to tell me more of this Mishkani empire...ah, the East has such fascinating lands!" she said. She opened the door and brought her "guest" with her. It was a simple establishment. Very neat and ordered, but not overly elegant. A strange choice for Jo...but, she often liked to visit such dressed down places. Especially when she, herself, was not wearing anything particularly eye-catching.

"Ah, a seat for two, if you please!" she called out to the hostess, a middle-aged woman who was looking particularly bored. One sweep around and you would find that the two had entered during some of the restaurant's off-hours.

(OOC: No worries!)

[Kizzy]

Kizzy looked around the empty room. The restaurant seemed to be closed, but surely Jacqueline knew what she was doing. She was, though, mildly surprised when the woman led them to a table by a big bay window with a view of the harbor.

"Wow!" Kizzy breathed, having never seen a harbor before in her life. She pressed her face up against the glass.
"I've never seen so many boats in one place!" Kizzy was fascinated by the sight.
"Miss Weyland, look-- Look at this! Isn't it amazing?" She asked the other woman, who seemed to be amused by Kizzy's display.

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

Jo claimed herself a seat, as she watched Kizzy practically throw herself against the glass of the bay window. A bemused chuckle followed her comments.

"Oh?" she gave a slight smirk, "I'm glad you're enjoying the view, my dear."

Jo leaned forward on the table and rested her chin on a hand. "Why take a seat? The view is just as good from our table as it is from the window." Jo chuckled some more, "Plus, it's much easier to look at the menu. How do you feel about wine? Too early? I say, it's never too early...but that may just be me."

[Kizzy]

Kizzy slowly peeled herself away from the window, looking slightly embarrassed. She took her seat, then said thoughtfully, "I've never had wine.... But I suppose now is as good as any time to try it!"

"So, Miss Weyland, what do you do for a living?" She asked interestedly. "Me, I'm an assistant to an inventor, and I do all sorts of things. I was out on an errand when you caught me."

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

"Never?" Jo asked, continuously surprised by her new friend, "Well, luckily that's something I'll be changing in a matter of moments!"

She grinned and sat back in her seat, listening to Kizzy as she finally took a seat at the table. It was an interesting question...at least in part because it required her to reach into her chest of lies to pluck any of the many careers she had masqueraded around with.

"I'm a trader...nothing too exciting, I'm afraid." she said, "But, it certainly provides for enough of life's simpler pleasures. Now then...you say you work for an inventor? This does sound most intriguing! Do tell me more!"

[Kizzy]

"I mostly do sewing, or run errands, it's nothing special," Kizzy said. "Now, being a trader, that sounds fun! Going to new places, meeting new people-- how thrilling that must be!"

Kizzy looked out the window again, surveying the harbor. "This would be the first time I've ever been outside the Mishkani Empire-- though I've been lots of places in the Empire, it is quite large." She sighed, thinking of her old life. It was not that she missed being a slave, it was just... she'd probably never see her home again.

She turned to look at the other woman. "Where is the most exotic place you've been? Surely, you must have been to some interesting places."

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

"Ah ha...you make it sound more thrilling than it actually is..." Jo grinned, "If I could tell you thrilling stories of adventure in far away lands, I would...but, my routes take me on more local escapades. I go about the country, visiting small villages and trading goods from these far away lands that come here."

A well versed cover-story was quite important. And being just an anonymous trader certainly helped blend in. It was one she had used many times before...even if the name had been different on some of those occasions.

"Much like you, dear, I've only explored within the borders of my homeland. But, it is very refreshing to meet someone who's a new arrival! Tell me, how does our fine land differ from the great Mishkani Empire?"