Burning Metal (Open to Kat)

[Talimas Oaksong]

Lady Kat,



I'm requesting to speak with you, formally, and I do sincerely hope that you can make it.


Meet me after noon at a table near the Blue Recluse, outside and furthest to the right. It won't be far. We have some things to discuss.





Sincerely, Talimas.






And so Talimas had waited, on that day, a little before that time. Reclining in his chair he was keeping his worried mind busy in the pages of a green book, as the heavy snout of Chips huffed in his lap. Tals' idle hand rested on Chips head, fidgeting with the alien fins and bumps of the creature as he sat quietly. Behind them both in a nearby planter a large worg slept, its fur a raven blue, and above them all a large crow perched on the rooftops, watching.





Tal had come without his armor and without his signature rifle, dressed in civilian clothes and new boots. He hoped against all hopes that it would disarm things a bit. Still, having some of his companions around put him at ease, and chips deserved a little care every once in a while. Around his waist he still carried his bandolier, lined with a number of pieces of rolled paper among its normal pouches. His signature blue bag was also there containing its untold number of useful things… or alcohol.





For a moment he squinted through the bright light, past the tower at the center of the square and checked the sun.





He’d wait till sundown if he had to.

[۞ KAT ۞ AKA Red Viper]

Kat had been away...plotting. Having gotten Tal's letter had left her surprised, to sat the least. The elf had inquired a few days ago if she had needed his help on anything and she had shot him down. She hadn't expected to hear from him again so soon.

His note was tucked away in her back pocket, her succubus was hidden within the shadows about twenty feet or so away at any given time. She had taken a look at the area from the safety of a rooftop and noted he wasn't entirely alone... so neither would she be. Seeing him dressed in casual wear was a little disarming indeed. Seeing him 'relaxed' almost made her relaxed. Almost.

The human approached quietly, amber eyes very alert, taking in everything. On her hip was Patience, as usual. She was clad in tight leather pants which hugged every delicious curve of her ass, with just her tabard, belted with a silver thread sash. Her high heeled red boots clicked softly against the cobblestones as she walked.

"Talimas." she said with a smirk, tone controlled, sliding into a chair across from him. "What do ye want now? Suppose ye missed me."

[Talimas Oaksong]

Talimas looked up from his book as Kat approached, Chips also becoming aware of the approaching sound. Their reactions differ though, Tals watchful but neutral, and Chips a tad bit excited as his fishy tail slapped against the stonework. His book was folded and laid on the table between them with one hand on it while the other calmed his companion.
“Lady Kat.” he started at a distance, waiting for her to close the gap and sit. “Missed you enough. Figured I’d get your attention for a while after speaking with a few people. This week has been quite a busy one for me, I’ve had plenty of other work waiting for me among a few other companies.”

[۞ KAT ۞ AKA Red Viper]

Kat watched the fish-dog warily. It frankly creeped the hell out of her, not quite sure how to label it. Fish, dog... lunch... so many conflictions.

"Course ye did," she scoffed to the admission, though her tone was not as 'warm' as it had been in the past. Now, it was cooly neutral... tho her features darkened at the mention of him speaking with a few people. She had figured this was coming... more talk the longer time yawned on with her not having made her move yet against Ari.

"Yea yea.." she grunted waving a dismissive hand, "don't give a rats ass about yer life story er what ye been doing lately. Just care what yer doing -now-... what do ye want. I can bet no matter how busy ye are, I be busier." her eyes twinkled.

[Talimas Oaksong]

Talimas drew a longer breath, giving Chips snout a gentle push off of his lap. He always had Kat pegged to be one all about business, even when seeking pleasure. With a very smooth motion he reached into a pouch on his bandolier, flipping up its top and removing a circular gold coin. As polished as the day it was given to him he inspected it closely, comparing the somewhat pleasant face on one side to the slightly annoyed one that sat across from him.



“I’m sure you are, so I’ll be direct. I want to cash this in, so to speak. Not just as a token of favor from you, but from all of the Cats. Leave Ari alone. For good. And abandon all these notions of some misplaced retribution.” His eyes refocused past the coin to Kat, lowering it slightly to feel the ridges under his thumb.

[۞ KAT ۞ AKA Red Viper]

Her eyes narrowed in on the coin. There had been a million thoughts screaming in her mind at once making her left eye twitch a bit. As he stared at her likeness on one side she stared at the grinning split skull on the other. That wasn't a normal gold coin. That was one of hers. And she had known he had it... had even hoped he would not use it.. not for -this-.

Out of the very few ways to derail Kat... using her own coin against her was one of them. She stared from the coin to his face with a sour expression, clicking her tongue ring against her teeth as she digested his words- and her own pride. There was no way she could refuse a token coin... Those were her own rules.

Fists clenching she growled softly, "That only be good fer the one transgression. The stupid cunt f*cks up again... -that- coin aint gonna save her. Ye f*ck with a Cat, ye get -me-. As erotic and alluring as they may be in many cases.. not so much this one." her hand extended, palm up to take the coin, "We clear?"

[Talimas Oaksong]

Talimas face remained stoic as he flipped the coin around, looking at the skull on its opposite face while Kats' own expression flashed back at her.


He took in a deep breath, letting it sharply huff out of his nose. “Good to know that you take favors as seriously as I do. Yes. Then on the value of this coin that favor is repaid.” In a smooth motion he lowered his hand and laid the coin in Kats, an intentional and direct action with enough symbolism as the coin. “I’ll make sure her understanding is crystal clear.” His hand turned in its space to offer a shake, though his reaction did not falter from the neutral regard he gave Kat.

[۞ KAT ۞ AKA Red Viper]

He had more balls then she had initially pegged him to have. Dancing with all the emotions within her turbulent eyes swam one of measured respect. At least he had the set to step up and make an offer... unlike the other one she had offered a once in a life-time opportunity to.

She didn't have any idea exactly how he took favors, hardly knowing him and all, but his words made her nod once. "In this case, I do." her eyes watched the coin descend to find its home once more in her possession. With a smooth gesture the coin disappeared, leaving her empty palm.

Staring at his offered hand she sneered shaking her head. She wasn't a fan of shaking hands. Smirking she drew her hand to her mouth, pressing the flat of her tongue from the bottom of her palm, licking all the way up to the tip of her middle finger which she then slapped against his hand with a sharp sting. Amber eyes never dropped from his.

"Favor repaid."

[Talimas Oaksong]

Talimas took the gesture for what it was. Each human he had worked with had their own style. From blood to whiskey laden spit, but it all meant the same.



“Favor repaid.” Talimas confirmed.



He retracted his hand back and retrieved his book, giving a sharp whistle to his two companions to make them fall in line behind the planter. No more words were needed. Business was done. With one more stern nod towards Kat he smartly made his way from the space, heading back towards the trade district.