A quick look about tells me I am most likely in the lower end of town and that special sigils are in use in different areas. For example the Merchant Guild / Pirate sign I saw earlier is only good up to a low wall, then there are New sigils and signs in use. I am beginning to see a pattern. One that tells me each 'ward' is run by a different group with differing methods. The Merchant Guild in one area has no power in the other areas and so on. Different and I suppose it helps keep the peace to some extent. Less large gang violence and such I imagine.

Some areas have low rent feel to them others higher rate and one is almost entirely shops with apartments over the top. One such shop has a beautiful full length oval mirror in their Glass window, the mirror is facing the street so anyone who looks in can see their reflection. What I see of mine makes it very evident why the few others on the street are giving me a wide berth. Yeech, I look like a leper that spent the day inside the mud of a pig sty.

I put down my stuff next to the wall under the window, dig out my bar of soap and break off a small piece, Herbal soap, very nice stuff to and makes a good spell component for my wash and bath spells.

I take off the 'barrowed' clothing and move back till I can see myself in the mirror. I got a few gawkers and a couple of cat calls. I ignore them as I make 'washing' gestures and slowly turn myself in a circle, I cast the spell at the mirror in the window and they combine to send the bathing spell back at me. I cast it 3 times just to be sure.

Each casting of the spell pulls a layer of grime, dirt and Ick off of me, slowly transforming me from a victim of filth to a glorious golden beauty. I take a look in the mirror and now see I am indeed quite a looker.

With long spun gold looking hair, full perfectly formed breast and long luscious legs. Sune sure did her special magic on my new form. I grin and using my Bracelet of Wonder pick out a wonderful white dress with gold and ruby attachments, it forms around me and I sigh and run my fingers over the silky material. I admire myself for a minute more (as does the somewhat stunned audience) before I pick up my bags and gear. I turn to leave and find 6 men and a couple of women moving toward me. A quick scan shows 3 of them are vamps, the rest mortal. Before any of them can pounce however a deep, strong, but definitely female voice stops them in their tracks.

"Ho My Lady, there you are." tall, well-built woman in 'armor' that is not very protective but certainly eye catching.

She strides toward the group, hand resting on the pommel of a sliver sword and a strange glow surrounds her left arm. Her blood red cloak flapping in the breeze of her stride. The mortals all scatter at her approach while the vamps all glare at her. One of the plain looking female vamps moves in to her path, "Oh I am so not falling for that trick. How stupid do you think I am ?"

The blond warrior looks down at her, "Had you looked at her bag and not the pretty face you could see as well as I that she carries the Blood Rose mark."

All 3 vamps (both women and a swarthy looking man) turn and look at me. A touch confused I turn the black book bag about so the bat clutching the blood rose is more visible. The man sighs, tips his hat to me and moves off. The 2cd female looks at it then me then grunts, "So your with That crew are you. Too bad you would have made an interesting ghoul."

I look at her, and grin, my fangs now showing, "Bit past that ability I am afraid."

THAT got all the women's attention though as the warrior is behind the other two they don't catch her reaction.

1st one swears, allot. The second shakes her head, "Damn, someone got to you. So how did you come to be in that group ?"

I look at the sign, "My sire created this symbol a long time ago." I simply state.

For some reason that makes the vamps back off faster. Then it's just me and the warrior alone on the street.

I look at her even as she walks up and gives the sign a closer look. She grunts, "similar but different. Good thing they did not take a closer look at it." she looks up at me, "I am Esmerelda, Enforcer of the Blood Rose guild. Are you by chance Robina, daughter of Trisha of Arikel ?"

I look at her, "I don't know you and well I tend toward caution in such situations."

She smirks, "You just danced nude in the street. While not busy still dangerous."

I nod at the mirror, "Needed that to cast my spells. Only self-cleaning spells I know need a mirror or other highly reflective surface to work properly."

She thinks about that then nods, "makes sense" she mutters then sighs, "Look I was sent by a goddess to get you some place safer than wandering the streets. She did not mention the fanged part though."

I cock my head to one side, "What goddess ?"

She sighs, "Someone called Sune. No idea who she is really but I know Aphrodite had a Fit when she appeared in our world. I really loath Aphrodite so I agreed to help."

I grin, "Sune. She is a goddess of my home place, dominion over beauty and romance, sort of like Aphrodite but with more intelligence and less vanity."

She smiles Hugely, "Oh good. More intelligence is always welcome. The local Artist seem to venerate Aphrodite, so anything that pisses that lot of the happier I am. Still you being what you are may cause some problems I did not consider when I was asked to help."

I nod, "You were thinking of places to stash me I take it ?"

She nods, "Yes actually. Seeing as this town is really about 6 towns all ruled by different factions of criminals, pirates, vampires and such. This is one city where if your innocent it's only because you’re a new born infant. Very few laws but each section has different ways of enforcing them. No actual 'guards' to speak of. A couple private armies though. Mercenaries. The Blood Rose is actually a pirate guild run by vampires. They have 3 ships and the outer border of the river side. This area is neutral territory. Mostly merchants and the only place where anyone from any guild can come to meet. As such lots of predatory sorts around here. Your lucky I got here when I did. That lot would have tried to take you with them."

I shrug, "I can take care of myself. Been doing that for over 500 years now."

THAT stunned her, she looks at me, "You ?"

I grin.

She shakes her head, "You don't look like you could stop a determined toddler." she states. I shrug, "You don't look like a crowd of vampires and thugs would give a second thought to killing, but they all ran off."

She considers this, looks down at her 'armor' then shrugs, "Point taken. Those who don't know of me learn fast enough. So coming with me ?"

I shake my head, "Nope. I don't know you and you could be lying to me or telling the truth. But either way I am going my own way this time. I relied on the gods the last time around and ended up like this because of it. So now I am going my own way."

She slowly nods. "Well good luck then. You're going to need it."

I shrug, then start putting on the rest of my gear. It's a bit mismatched and does not go with each other or my outfit, but I don't care. Each item is powerfully enchanted and gives me a definite edge if I should have to fight. She watches me suit up still shaking her head but does not comment on it all.

I fluff out my hair, check myself over both by looking around my person and looking in the mirror.

I note a fellow in the shadows across the street watching us. When I look in the mirror he and the darker shadows are missing. I look at her, "So what is with the Lasombra over there." nod in his direction. She looks at the alley and then to either side, "The what ?"

I sigh, "Shadow controlling vampires that do not have reflections. There is one in the mouth of that alley watching us."

She turns back toward the alley and draws her sword which burst in to blue fire. Through the flames she looks in to the alley and softly swears. When he realizes she can see him he steps forward and the shadows spread out around him. He moves carefully toward us. I note a black blade insignia on his pants leg.

"Black Blade ?" I ask her.

She sees it and swears softly, "Rival group, mostly slavers, all really bad people and that is coming from a pirate."

He looks at me and I feel him trying to influence me, "You will come with me." he states simply.

I lean on my staff, "Why should I ?"

He pushes his Power and states it again, "You WILL come with me."

I sigh, "Look idiot, I am Immune to dominance spells and such so either go away or I can hurt you."

He looks surprised then laughs, "You hurt Me ?" lots of laughing as his shadow tendrils all shoot toward me. Sighing I wave my hand over the bracelet and toss something at him. The flash and boom of the massive fire ball (grenade actually) that envelopes him and his shadow monsters is almost as impressive as his shrieks as the fire consumes him. The wall of fire came to with n 2ft of me. I did not even flinch. I just smile as he burns.

I turn to Esmerelda, whose jaw is bouncing off her impressive chest, "Told you, Mage. I can take care of myself."

The fire dissipates and all that is burning is the corpse of the shadow vampire and the blackened tendrils around him. She gulps and Really looks at me. "Ok I admit I seriously underestimated you. Never seen anyone without some serious magical devices resist their power before."

I sigh, "Well duh, Everything I am wearing is enchanted. No other point to it otherwise. I like my toys, they give me great advantages. Like your armor and sword, magic is a great tool."

She slowly smiles and nods, "ok point made."

I nod, "Most people seem to forget that Mages Make magic items. While I made very little of what I use, I did study with the people who made most of it. Cost me quite a bit to get this stuff made over the years. But worth every bit of gold I could get."

She nods, "Ok ok I get it. Your far more dangerous than you look." she sighs and we walk away, "Thought you were not going with me."

I shrug, "I am not, we are just walking in the same direction."

She grins but does not say anything more, just walks to a large Inn / Tavern place with a Blood Red rose on the door and on the sign over it. She goes in and I follow. It is loud, crowded and noisy. I sense several vampires, a few ghouls and thralls (there is a difference but I don't feel like trying to explain it) but most here are mortal. Humans, gnomes, halflings, even a few green and yellowish looking sorts I take to be goblins or mayhap goblin-kin. Slaves are evident by the plain white clothes and iron collars.

I continue to 'not follow' Esmerelda but as we are passing a table of vamps one leaps up and happily exclaims, "My Bag!" and tries to take my book bag from me. I growl and smack him with my staff, "Back off!" I snarl.

Esmerelda sighs and comes back, "That is not your bag Dwain. That bag is hers."

Dwain ignores her, "It has My symbol on it there for its mine." he states as he tries to reach for it again and I get set to smack him again.

A large well-dressed vamp steps between him and me, putting a hand on Dwain's chest and holding the other toward me, "Dwain, what is your Precise symbol." Dwain slumps a little, "Small black rose dripping blood."

The fellow looks at my bag, "Her symbol is a Bat holding a Blood Rose with its wings cupped around it and a drop of blood dripping off the bottom of it. So Not your symbol."

This pretty little girl, vamp but maybe halfling to, scurries over and looks closely at the symbol and then flips through this Huge book to a section with bats and birds, then compares them to my symbol. "Who made this sign for you ?" she ask.

I shrug, "My sire. It's a variation of her personal one. She added the fangs and red dot eyes to mine as well as the deep purple tint to the rose."

She happily makes a black and white drawing on a blank page, having me stand still while she copies it. "It's a new design alright. Not in the book. Who is your sire and when did she make this."

I shrug, "I don't know, couple hundred years ago at a guess."

She looks up at me, frowning, "Sire's name" she repeats.

I look at her, "Not telling you. She and I are not on speaking terms."

She frowns, "Then why keep the bag ?"

I grin, "It's enchanted. Weighs less than it would normally."

Well-dressed one nods, "Good reason. What is in it ?"

Shrugging, "Books."

He snickers, "Well those do weigh a bit but odd treasure."

I look at him a long time before stating, "I am a mage, so Books is not so odd."

Woman stands and comes forward, pulling a long silver-steel sword out and uses it to poke people to get them out of her way.

She is dressed in a classic 'sexy pirate' outfit, from a few hundred years in the future from my perspective, she has 3 wands worn in her sash (kind of look like flintlocks at a distance) and lovely thigh high boots.

She nods to the other well-dressed man, "So Captain Pierce what is your verdict here ?"

He grins at her, "Well Captain Misery she is new here, that is obvious. Her symbol is not in our books and as such she is not one of ours. But she came in with Enforcer Esmerelda, so she has some kind of connections." Esmerelda frowns, "Even if it's to just Esmerelda herself." he corrects.

Captain Misery looks past us to a raised area, "Any comments Captain Logan ?"

This tall serious looking woman in an open fronted black costume steps up. Truthfully I thought she looked more like a lady of the evening than a pirate captain, that is until our eyes meet and we just stare at each other. Looks wise she is ok, nice figure but there is something More there, some kind of connection.

I can see Misery and Pierce looking at each other from the corner of my eye as Logan and I stare at one another. Finally she shakes herself out of it and ask, "What do you want me to say ? She is pretty and has her own symbol. What of it. Not the first time something like it has happened. Won't be the last. You both know the Blood Rose is not a new concept."

I start to move toward her, a few people try to get between us but I just ghost around them (partial mist transformation) and as such they don't even slow me down. I just 'hop' over the banister next to her. She waits till I am next to her. We are the same height it seems. She looks me in the eye, I look at her and both of us shiver as Something connects between us.

Tentively I reach up and run a cold hand along her cheek and in to her dark hair. At the same time she reaches up to me with a hot hand and strokes my cheek and then runs her hand in to my hair, we never break eye contact even as we each pull the others face close to the other and kiss. Full open mouth with long searching tongues, each with an eye locked on the other, deep deathly black to open lethal ice blue. Something is happening between us and neither of us really knows how to respond I think.

When the kiss breaks I speak first, "Well Met Melissa." Still mere centimeters between us. She grins, "Well Met Rob." How I know her name or she mine I have no clue but there is this near overpowering attraction between us. I don't know how long we stand like that but she breaks the mood (a tiny bit) by saying, "Usually a girl gets this close to me I put a knife in them."

I grin and respond, "Really, I tend to just bite them." she grins back and we slowly release each other but as she draws back she takes my hand.

Captain Pierce, snickering, "I take it you know each other then Captain Logan ?"

Melissa Logan, without taking her eyes off me, "Nope. First time we have laid eyes on each other truth be told, but there is Something."

The loud sound of flesh hitting wood, hard and repeatedly causes us to look away from each other and at the sound. It is Esmerelda slamming her head over and over in to a banister. No one moves to stop her but Misery ask, "What is wrong with you Enforcer ?"

She finally stops and a lovely streak of blood flows down her face, "Aphrodite! That Bitch. This stinks of her meddling!"

I look at Melissa, "I follow Sune myself, she is a rival of Aphrodite in the love goddess department."

Melissa just shakes her head and laughs at that, it's a deep lovely sound.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Mercy looks surprised (as do many others around the now quiet room), "What is so funny ?"

Once she gets control of her humor, "I made a sacrifice to Sune and a few other gods, trying to find True Love. Sune is the only one to come through and she sent me a Magical Girl."

The two captains grin, seeing the humor that is lost on everyone else, partly even me.

Mercy takes to explain to me, "When Logan was young she loved stories of Magical People, especially Magical Girls with special powers, she always either wanted to Be one or Know one. Seems a Goddess finally gave her that wish, in the form of you oh Golden One."

I consider this then nod, "Makes since, I am a very magical type after all."

Esmerelda is screaming blasphemously about love gods and their manipulative ways. I turn to Melissa, "Sune appeared to Esmerelda and sent her to fetch me. Knowing how I am as I have worked for the goddess a time or two myself, she picked the perfect type to get my attention and not kill her on site. I followed her out of curiosity only."

Melissa nods, "The gods do like to make tools of capable people." I shrug, "She has tried to set me up before. This is the first time the person she aimed me at had the same kind of feelings toward me. This Kind of connection. Others there was lust sure, but not the um." Melissa nods, "Yeah I can get that. I have done the lust thing to. Got the pretty boys to prove it. Tried girls a time or two but most of them get clingy and I Hate that."

I nod, "Oh yeah, the Needy type. I prefer strong women, the needy types need not apply, except as snacks or play things." she grins, "Snacks ?"

I shrug and whisper to her, "I like to give orally to women, so 'eat' them, you know."

She laughs again and nods, "Oh yes, I know that one well. Good eating those." she agrees loudly enough for those near to hear.

She pulls me over to her Massive table. There are indeed many tasty looking boys around it. Though at this point I am more interested in their blood than anything else.

Some here seem to know of the vampires, some don't. It's interesting as they are not really hiding it. Melissa smells of a thrall. Which I am fine with, means any feelings between us are real and I don't have to worry about making any artificial ones in her case.

She shoos a pretty boy out of her right hand seat, he gives me a death glare I smile at him and make a bite gesture at him. Captain Logan notes it and grins, shakes her head, and sits in her throne like seat.

I look around at her harem, mostly boys but a few nice looking women to. None smell of blood To strongly, which I suppose is good, but I feel the hunger strongly still. I am only Barely in control.

Melissa, grinning at me, "So how do you feel about Harems ?"

I consider, "Being in one, or having one of my own ?"

She giggles throatily, "Either, both."

I shrug, "When I was a thrall I kind of had both. My sire kept a nice selection of pretties around her at all times and well." I shrug and she nods, "Yeah me to. Ok I will explain things to you. About this place as you are new."

I wait as she watches me. I am good at waiting. Finally she nods, "This place is the meeting hall of the Bloody Roses. Each Captain here has a ship with Rose in its name. My ship is the Black Rose. Pierce has the Crimson Rose and Captain hot pants over there has the flag ship Blood Rose. We used to have more ships but between natural problems and our rivals the Black Blades we are down to three while they have seven. Now as a Rule ships in port are off limits as are known crew of each group. Not that it keeps them from trying to poach our people via black magic."

I nod, "Ah so that is what the moron was doing. Guy tried to use domination magics on me to make me go with him. When that did not work, which it won't as I am highly immune to such things, he tried force. So I replied with Fire. He made a good burning smudge point on the street."

She smirks and nods. "I heard part of that when you first came in. That rose on your bag will make them target you now. Even if you're not one of ours. Hm, do you have a ship ?"

I consider, "Does a long boat with sail and small cabin count ?"

She shakes her head. I shrug, "Then no. Though, I will have to check. I may be able to scrounge one up. I got access to an extra-dimensional storage space. Left over's from a long ago war. I know there is some siege items in there and row boats of varying types, but not sure of anything bigger." She is chuckling now. "So you know about small boat handling but not the larger ones then ?" I nod, "Somewhat. I never actually sailed a boat. I just own a few. Row boats yes, and I can swim, or I could before, not sure now. Not that it matters, can't drown." she grins and nods. Breathing optional is nice.

Ex-right hand boy snarls, "Got gold or you just hoping to leach off the captain ?"

I look at him then at her, "Can I eat him ?" she looks up at him and considers then shrugs, "Sure, I really hate that jealousy stuff, it's a turn off."

He was backing away looking scared. The other boys watch as I happily pounce on him. Swift, silent, and deadly.

Misery and Pierce are watching as I leap on him, grab him and rip open his shirt so I can get my teeth in his strong shoulder. Once his hot blood hits my tongue though I latch on and ride him down, only thought in my mind is FEED! and I do till there is nothing left but an empty dead and mummified looking corpse in my grip. Still I suck a little longer trying to get the tiny amounts out, before I lift my blood free mouth from his still form and sniff around. NO one is in close range and there are so many that I slowly come back to myself. I stand and wipe the edges of my mouth, looking about, lick my lips and grin, "So anyone want to be desert ?"

Oddly (or not) I don't get any takers. Melissa just laughs and shakes her head. Indicating for her people to dispose of my left overs.

I reach down and calmly rip his head off, just to be sure he does not return. I stuff the head in the remains of his shirt. Then come over to her and sit. Quite happy with my meal.

She shakes her head, "No morals or problems with killing." she states, I shrug, "I was a warrior and mage in the old days. Killing comes with the territory. Also feeding people to my Mistress was sometimes fun."

She grins at me, "I can't do that again. Crew gets upset when I feed them to others. Prisoners of little value maybe, but you would have to be with us."

I shake my head, "Not a good idea. I really don't care for sailing. Every now and then someone tries to get me on a boat for a prolonged period. I do not like sailing. I like cities with things to do, entertainments and the ability to see new faces every now and then." girl across from me mutters 'so she can eat them' to her neighbor who gives me a dark look and nods. I smile at her, "I can hear what you're saying you know." she blanches at that. Guess she didn't know.

Misery comes over to a strange kind of bridge between their two raised sections, she calls out, "Permission to come aboard ?"

Logan looks at her a long moment then nods, "Permission Granted."

I look at them both and Logan explains, "To keep the peace here we have the place broken up by ship compliments. We use such terms to allow each captain to enter each area as a matter of curtesy."

I nod, makes sense.

Misery sits next to me, the person in that seat clearing out Fast as she smiled at him. She looks at me, "So what is your name Goldie ?"

I consider, "Have not decided on one just yet, but leaning toward Golden Death." she shakes her head, "Not your professional name, your real name."

I consider, "You first."

Melisa is snickering in to her hand. Misery looks like she swallowed a fish, whole, then explains this to me in a quiet tone, "I am the Elder here girly. So you answer to me or I have you killed."

I smile and something in me comes awake, "Careful child, of the two of us your likely to die first if you try that gambit."

She nods to Logan, "You think she will come to your aid newbie ?"

I sigh, "Not the point and no. I have centuries of combat training where as you don't. From your scent I would guess you to be around 8th generation where as I am Much older and far more powerful than you can imagine."

Gavin a mage at Logan's table is snickering and nodding, "She has you pegged Misery. "

He turns to me, "Gavin, Clan Tremere." he nods at me.

I nod, "Golden Girl or death, still deciding. I don't give my real name to Anyone."

Gavin nods, "Old time mages never give their real name. Some kind of fear that if you know a person's real name then they can be controlled. It's nonsense but convincing them of that is about as effective as trying to move a mountain by hitting your head against it repeatedly."

I pull out a piece of parchment, "Gavin is your real name then ? Spelled G-A-V-I-N ?"

He snorts, "Yes." I nod. I fold the paper, pull out a simple wax and cloth figure, put the paper inside of it. Blow on it, speak a word of power while the real Gavin smirks at my theatrics, "That has no power over me. It's all just a trick to scare the uninitiated."

I hold it up, wrap it in 'twine' (webbing really) then I 'stand' it up and Gavin suddenly jumps up from his chair. I walk the doll around the table to me, Gavin stiffly marches toward me, his eyes wide with fear. When he reaches me I hold the dolls arms to its sides then reach up and pluck out a hair from his head. I add it to the doll, blow on it again then smile at him. "Step back and do a dance for me Gavin of the Tremere."

The look of fear on his face is priceless as he steps back and does a credible jig while everyone there watches in amazement and a touch of fear. I let him stop, "So still think my knowing your name is just foolishness ?"

He shakes his head, eyeing the simple wax doll. I nod, "Just because you have no knowledge of the old magics does not mean they don't work. This, this is a child's toy from my time. Something the most basic of mages learns to do. All I really needed was your name. The hair just allowed me to let you move more realistically. Had I added in some of your blood to this, well you would be mine forever." I take his hair out of it and the paper with his name and some symbols that I don't let him see. I burn the paper and make him think the hair to. But I keep it safe in case I need it later.

Melissa taps my shoulder, "That work on anyone ?"

I shake my head, "Only mages, side effect of controlling magic is it opens a person up to its power more. If a person knows what they are doing they can use that connection to control someone provided they know their real name. It's why old time mages guarded their real names so much. Why we used nick names, alias, and such. Knowing my Real name gives you power over me. Use that power wisely or it could come back in a bad way."

She slowly nods. Suddenly understanding why she knows My name and I know hers. She stares in to space, in awe of it all.

I put the doll down and as expected Gavin swipes it and makes himself scarce. I just grin. I got a bag full of them and more. They really were childrens toys back in the day, there is nothing magical about them.

A dark skinned woman with many tattoos and dripping in minor charms, magic items and some really garish items, bone in her nose and more comes over, looking at me, "Got any more of those dolls ?"

I open my bag and show her the dozen or so, "Copper penny a piece." she grins (missing several teeth I note) and digs out 6 pennies and hands them over, I pass them to her. "No magic in them." I tell her, "Oh I know. I know those sort of control spells myself. Those Tremere think that they are so high and mighty and that witches are poor, weak spell crafters." I nod, "Witches were some of the first magic users and much mage craft came from studying how Witches did magic."

She looks up at me and then nods, "You got the right of it. Our ways may not be as clean as mages, but it works more often than many of their fancy complicated spells."

I consider, "But magic, unless something is seriously wrong, always works. Granted not always as you meant it to, but it always does Something."

She laughs and nods. "Ah now, that be true." she sighs and considers, "You know where to get any charms ?"

I nod, "Several, but any of a specific type ?"

She nods, "Oh many I want, but they are hard to come by around here. Would you know where to get a fertility charm ? I have a client looking to get pregnant."

I consider then gesture her over to me, "Old spell. Works about 70% of the time." I draw it out for her, tell her herbs to use and whisper some don't have any power in this but they smell nice. She giggles and nods.

Truthfully I kind of lost track of the rest of the people, being pulled in to something I love so. Magic and the teaching and sharing of it has always been my first love. To me, magic in all its forms is a beautiful thing and I don't care what label people put on it. The Toreador in me has latched on to this and it's my Art, my obsession.

By the time the witch has left, she has a good dozen new spells, a set of generic 'charms' just have to add your own spells (silver coin each - she was happy to get them and so cheap. I just tell her they were stock left over from when I was a trader. Not doing that any more as most of my suppliers are gone now.)

By the time I come out of my happy place things have moved on. The other Captains and most of their crews are gone, Melissa is just chatting with some others and looking over papers and maps and I am left alone to my own devices. The witch (Grendel she called herself, after an ancient monster. I liked that one and told her so.) is walking out a side door. With it so empty I can now get a better feel for the place. It's really quite large with 2 full floors each having its own bar. The upper floor has a walk way around it that has 4 more of these raised area's in it. They look empty though, not used in some time. I think of what she said about them having other ships previously and then leave it at that for now.

I check my stuff then walk around the room, looking at stuff. Captain Logan notes my movement but that's it as she is busy.

Eventually The Lady captain singnals me over and I come, "Hello." I say mildly.

She grins, "We lost you there when Grendel came over. Most people try to get rid of her quickly, you just took to her like a long lost friend."

I shrug, "I love magic. She wanted to talk magic and well" I shrug.

She slowly nods, "It's your passion isn't it. The one thing that helps you keep going, gives your life purpose."

I nod, "Yep. Always loved magic, in all it's strange forms. Unlike some mages I don't mind sharing what I know or teaching others. Some see it as a road to power. I just see it as an Art, one that needs to be preserved and taught so it never fades from the world."

She just nods, "Yeah I kind of figured that out. Pissed Gavin off though, proving him wrong the way you did."

I nod, "He is the sort that you have to do it that way or he would never believe it."

She nods, "Yeah, I know what you mean. I have known many such people unfortunately. I used to be one till Reality was shoved down my throat."

There is a story there but she does not elaborate. Instead, "So you got a place to stay ?"

I shrug, "I got a tent and there are all these tunnels under this town."

She snorts, "The smugglers dens, not a good place to set up a tent, unless you want them stealing everything you own while you sleep."

I shrug, "Scavenger hunt. I hunt down the scavengers and eat them. Get my stuff and more back." she shakes her head, "Not how we do things here. Though I understand why you would think that."

"Ah, to bad you're not part of our crew. Then I could set you up a bunk and No I am not sleeping with you given what you are and I don't want to wake up craving blood." I consider and nod, "Given my self-control at this time, that is a good idea. My control is good till I taste blood then all bets are off. The only thing that stopped me earlier was massive indecision. So much prey, could not choose. Let me calm down enough to put my beast back on its leash."

She grins, liking the analogy, "Well there are only 2 inns in this town and I trust them with your safety about as much as I trust a Black Blade near one of our ships."

I shrug, "I can always find someplace. It's not hard when you completely lack any morals beyond survival at all cost. Which is pretty much normal operating procedures for people like me."

She gives me a long look, "You have some strange turns of phrases. Almost like someone I knew a long time ago, before I became a pirate." I shrug, "I speak several languages, a few of them dead these days as well as specialized mage languages and something called Computer speak which is a form of slang that I picked up while world traveling. Mind you I have only been to 4 worlds so far and the first trip was pure chance and accident."

She grins, "Yeah, done that one myself. This is not my home world. Me and Misery came here together with a few others, we are the only ones left of that group and she did not quite survive, if you take my meaning." I nod, "Undead" she nods. "Lady of the Lethal Overbite" I state happily. Melissa laughs and nods, "Yep, that to."

I consider something, "So why Piracy ?"

She sighs, "Money, why else. Can't do much without money and I have no other skills worth mentioning." I nod and sigh, "Money is not something I worry about much. If I need it I get it."

She smirks, "Know where to get a couple hundred in gold really fast ?"

I nod, "Yes actually I do. Gems to if need be."

She blinks and sits up straighter. "Ship repairs are expensive, especially in a port like this one. I need 150 gold Kings, that's a large coin, to repair my ship after someone sabotaged her."

I consider, "Business deal perhaps ? I can front you the money but the ship becomes collateral."

She looks at me, "Sure you're not a banker ?"

I grin, "Merchant, made my living doing that for years."

She considers then calls out, "Smithers, Wayne front and center. We may have found some good fortune after all."