Crossing Of Paths

    Rain threatens in the sky, as the clouds roll above and the wind carries the ocean breeze. The war has caused a change in trading lines, goods, and even the need of specific services.

Where once trades needed adventures to help protect their hauls from monsters, they now need them to protect them from the Palance Landers who so badly desire to mess up the trading lanes.

It is here that Vafrum can be found, leaning against a light post, while rolling a coin between his nimble, delicate looking fingers. His eyes watching those coming and going. Perhaps playing guard or perhaps looking for some merchant to con-- we mean-- assist on some travel.

His eyes have a slight glow to them, but they look predatory all the same. That devilish smirk seemingly always present at the very edge of his lips, and his collar of his jacket trying to hide the tattoo of his werefang blood.

The temperatures are starting to change towards fall, again, meaning that Tian has already changed up their wardrobe, completing their usual armor with a cloak that is furred along the hood and shoulders in order to offer some protection against the elements.

The Cait Sith is just departing from a ship that has arrived from Breg Epona. They seem to be alone, not traveling with any companions. They do offer a wave of farewell in thanks to the Lander captain of the ship before finding themselves back the dry land of the docks. With the wind blowing up, Tian pulls the hood of their cloak upwards, leaving their gold eyes and that canine-like mask mostly what is visible in their features.

However, the ears and tail unmistakably show them as a Cait Sith. However, they are... strange enough that one might not be able to determine the canine species right away. Especially since, being from the Palace Lands, they are not any single animal.

It is the movement of that coin, catching the light, that draws Tian's attention. They pause, looking over in the direction of the almost predatory individual. Their fox tail swishes once. They do not speak right away, as some might. Instead, the Cait Sith simply watches as if trying to get a read on this stranger.

    Vafrum catches the gaze looking in his direction, but the coin never stops moving. His own eyes look Tian up and down. It is only after the final quick inspection, does that coin come to a halt in his fingertips, between the thumb and the index finger.

It is here he stands up fully and corrects the sleeves of the jacket, including the 'blouse' he wears under it. He doesn't look much like an adventurer, more of a man of fine tastes and money. Though he does have a set of daggers at his sides, that have a curved blade based on the sheath they reside inside.

Vafrum then goes to make his way over to where Tian is at, that smile remains, those eyes locked onto her. As he moves in closer, he extends his hand outward and slightly to the side; Open palm. "Greetings, I couldn't help but notice you standing there amongst the travelers coming and going. By chance may I ask where you might be heading off too and would you care for some company?" His voice carries a calm tone to it, maybe even a bit sweet; An attempt to be friendly.

It is easy enough for Tian to identify the Vafrum as an Adventurer. A flick of delicate fingers doing the obvious motions of an INSPECT command in the air. Those gold eyes seem to flick upwards, taking in the man's face, or more specifically, they seem to be checking him for signs of suspicous headgear. A not surprising gesture, given the current state of affairs in the world.

When Vafrum speaks, however, that seems to set some of that concern to the side. The movement of his lips is very distinctly not not English or Chinese, of which they are most familiar. Though not fluent in Japanese, some of the words are enough to recognize by movement alone. This one, could not be a Palace Lander.

The invitation is met with a curious expression, a tilt of the head from the Cait Sith. Raising one hand, Tian begins to finger-spell four letters: "<Alne.>" It is not spoken word, but simply an understanding of the meaning of the gestures. It is something many find unusual upon first encountering this particularly unusual Adventurer.

Their hands continue to move in a fluid way, forming out symbols in distinctive motions. "<I have returned from Breg Epona. I must check in. There is much to be done.>" It takes a bit to get used to, the understanding that follows the motions rather than the audible words. "<Come if you wish.>" Their hand taps over their heart with the middle finger. "<The journey passes the Gnoll woods. It is dangerous there. If you can fight.>" Their hands raise in a distinct gesture that looks like someone preparing for fisticuffs, but it seems simply the sign for the word, as the hands drop to their sides afterwards.

    Vafrum is-- surprised by the hand gestures, thankfully the system helps understand all the same, but sign language in the real world is not something they were ever taught. In the corporate world after all, you needed to know the languages of those that you had to deal with. This meant for a company in Japan, possible dealings with China, and even further dealings with America, along with possibly Europe.

He opened his mouth a little in an 'ah' sort of way. His eyes watching her hands with keen interest, as they dart from her face, back to her hands. His brows furrowed a little, then a shift in his weight as Tian finished. "If you do not mind me asking, what business do you have in Alne? Outside of this-- need to check in. Forgive my curiosity, but the roads are dangerous and not just from monsters you know."

The suave talker once more shifts his weight, one hand coming to rest on his hip. There was that merchant air to him, that corporate way of moving, but keen eyes, such as Tian's may notice that stance was 'off' for a masculine figure. Hidden yes, and attempt to be, but little things. Just those little things.
e"Either way, for the right price I'd be honored to assist you on your travel, as I can fight and I have my connections with some traders here and there." He says with a gesture of his free hand. "After all, it is safer to travel in numbers than in a singular form, hm?"

"<I have a particular set of skills as a crafter. I help people who have fallen to the Crowned.>" Tian's hands form a motion like placing a crown onto their head, as if that somehow explained everything. The individuals features are somewhat obscured both by the face make-up and mask that they wear, meaning that some facial expressions are hidden.

The Cait Sith doesn't elaborate on what particular skills they have, nor what they do to aid those who have been Crowned, leaving it simply at that. "<There are more frightening things in this world than monsters.>" Tian's lips form into a smirk, their head shifting and a few strands of that ombre hair falling across their cheek.

Where Vafrum may have those faint gestures that don't quite read to his visible gender, Tian's seem to be a mix of both masculine and feminine gestures. Most people seem to simply assume they are one or the other.

At the offer of assistance, there is a voiceless laugh that is mostly just an opening of the mouth, a flash of fanged teeth and ten a a shake of the head. "<I do not require assistance, though you are welcome to come if you wish.>" It is clear that Tian has no intention of paying anyone to accompany them.

    Vafrum raises a brow as she brings up her 'set of skills' and that causes a gentle head tilt, that smile though never fading. "Set of skills? Is that so?" While her motioning of not paying for him to come along, does get a minor twinge of the lip, the man rubs his chin in thought.

"Oh, I know there are far worse things than monsters, such as pkers and the crowned running about targeting any whom dare oppose their odd, old, hatred ways-- but that is why I offer what I do, and I never did place a 'price', just payment." Vafrum says with a grin, before he walks around her for a moment.

Then he comes to step in front of her, leaning over her just slightly. His hands came to rest behind his backside at rest. "Cause you are correct, you do seem to be an individual who can handle yourself with simple ease and thus have no use in someone like myself, but I am most curious about /you/ and those-- skills of yours. After all, nothing comes for free and even if it does for a time, there will be an eventual dry zone where it will no longer /be/ free. That is when having connections can become useful and having someone willing to market to a wider range of people-- You follow?"

Vafrum at last steps to the side, before motioning with an open hand once more to the road ahead. "Either way, food for thought I suppose, but I shall not hold you up for your important mission, since-- as you said again-- you need not assistance on your travels and there is always someone else who will-- but should you ever change your mind..." He then gives a wink.

The corner of Tian's lip quirks, showing a flash of one of those white fangs yet again. "<I prefer not to owe people. Besides, if I can survive in the Palace Lands, I can survive here.>" The Cait Sith's tail swishes behind them, showing a measure of confidence in their own skills. Though they might not be as capable as some of the strongest Yamato Adventurers, they certainly had enough skill to hold their own against most.

The movement, shifting himself in front of them causes Tian to look up, the attempt to impose physicality causing them to bear their teeth. It's a warning, someone who doesn't particularly enjoy people trying trying to use any method of intimidation. Enough so that in a flash, Vafrum will feel the faint pressure of a dagger tip against his stomach. This is, afterall, not a Root Town. There is no Guardians to step in should either of them start something.

With that single hand occupied, it isn't possible for Tian to speak as easily as they might otherwise. So, instead, the Cait Sith steps back with a warning growl. Apparently they can make some sounds. "<I do not know you.>" Is all that Tian says, the signs obscured by the dagger still held in one hand. Apparently, Vafrum's own actions have put Tian on-guard, and that makes them wary.

"<Here is something free. Do not use your physicality to influence someone you want something from. It makes you an asshole.>" They make an 'ok' like gesture, which is tapped with the thumb against their chest.

    Vafrum hears the growl, which causes a flicker in his eyes, the dagger point causes his own body to slightly stiffen up, that smirk almost turning into a sneer and being called, or implied called an 'asshole' gets an actual chuckle. "You---" His physical mannerisms seem to 'calm' down, smile returning on his lips. "Would not be the first nor the last to apply that I am an asshole. I suppose it comes with being a business professional."

Vafrum shakes his head, now moving a touch and still not blocking her way. "Though I do greatly apologize if my actions caused some confusion on my part, as I meant no aggression toward you or even desired to oppose my will on you." He then gives a humble bow to her.

Tian watches him, those eyes wary behind the mask. Just as before, the combination of hood, mask, and facial paint makes their actual thoughts or feelings difficult to determine. However, those eyes have a dark expression. The eyes of someone who has lived through things most normal people could not imagine.

"<Getting into a person's personal space without their permission is not likely to earn friends.>" Tian replies, taking their index fingers of each hand and clasping the digits together. "<I have seen people betrayed, struck down by friends, allies, lovers.>" The Cait Sith's eyes remain hardened, but the dagger slides back into the sheath so it is easier to sign.

"<You should be careful. I could have gutted you before you blinked. I do not wish violence, however. There are enough out there who wish it on all of us to add to it.>" Tian leaves it at that, letting out a huff of breath, their ears tucked back.

    Vafrum could make a remark that if she did, he would have transformed, and then there would have been a fight. Yet, he also knows--- when it comes to pvp, he is the weakest of the group. He depends on his guile, charm, and business sense to get around things.

This was-- not someone these things would work on. They are deaf, so his voice won't really reach them. They read body language more than likely better than others, which means any gesture is weighed.

This is-- a poor choice to win a busineship with, at least by normal marketing ploys. This realization releases a long, frustrated sigh. Followed by a rub of his forehead. For a moment the weight of always acting as someone head of a corporation, that presidential, ceo weight comes out loud and clear. His eyes dim a little as he looks away, before the social masks slides back on.

"You are indeed a wise person." He bows his head. "I wish you safe travels to Alne and will not hold you up longer." His voice is soft and a bit distant. "Stay safe and good luck on your mission." Then goes to turn away from them to make their way back to their post Tian found them at.

There is that tense moment before Vafrum's body language shifts. Tian seems to watch this all play out. After spending the better part of a year as a scout and messenger for the rebels of the Palace Lands, they are not one to jump to conclusions immediately.

So, they simply watch that retreat, ears lifting ever so slightly. "<As you wish.>" That middle finger touches over their chest again, followed by a shrug of the shoulders. As the wind kicks up, they tighten the clasp of their cloak. There is a motion of farewell before the deaf canine makes their way further up the dock and out into the marina beyond.