[center][color=gray][b]Casimir Volk[/b][/color][/center]

Casimir nodded with a smile at the offered glass, then raised it in a silent toast towards the others and took a sip. He had listened to the conversation around him, but with only half an ear at best. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he felt thrilled. It had been a long time since he’d gone on a mission like this, after his flight from Beakhaven he’d promised himself never to get involved in subterfuge again…and yet, here he was. Not only that, but he was already planning the whole thing in his head – the tunnel would provide a solid entry-point, after which they’d have to move quickly to find this Leon fellow; they said it was a shoddy prison, so defences would be light, what about guards? How much would Asgard spare for such a prison? Well, there had to be one guard per floor – at least! – plus a head gaoler to whom they reported. All in all that meant…damn, how many floors were there again? 

He was jerked back to the present when Eadoin, the “steam-mechanic”, directed a question to him. Casimir appraised the man briefly before answering, sizing him up. So, a reaver and a mercenary, with ties to the local criminal underworld to boot. Not surprising that he had given the butler such a ridiculous explanation, but then again, his kind were the sort to gain entry with guns, not words. Still, Casimir wasn’t naïve enough to believe in a bloodless revolution – rough men like Mr. Kyros would be needed.  

“Me?” Casimir retorted, giving a shrug. “Oh, my story is nowhere near as exciting as yours, I’m afraid. I’m a foreigner here, arrived just before Asgard did.” 

He swirled the drink slowly, watching the amber-coloured liquid slushing inside. Truth be told, he had a dislike for hard liquor - while many people enjoyed the burning sensation it left in one’s throat and mouth, Casimir did not. Still, he knew how easily it loosened all manner of tongues, so he played along, taking another sip. 

“And before that,” he continued, “I lived in Beakhaven. Ever heard of it? It’s a Free City a couple of hundred miles north of here. Well, it [i]used[/i] to be a Free City until Asgard showed up. Since you’ve already got a taste of what that’s like, I’ll spare you the details. Suffice to say, I had to leave and eventually ended up here. ” He sighed, placing the glass back on the table in front of him. “Guess bad luck, in the form of a warmongering empire, has a habit of following me around.” 

There was little else to be said of his time after Beakhaven and what he’d done for a living before leaving was not something his new companions needed to know just yet. He used the momentarily lull in the conversation to survey the rest of the room’s occupants. The dwarf seemed somewhat uncouth, but his manner showed that he wasn’t one to put stock in such things. Kaidan’s people seemed dependable, though an uncomfortable feeling passed through him when the charming woman returned his gaze with a slight smile. Casimir broke eye contact quickly and glanced toward the nobleman, Lyle, who was starring somewhat indignantly as Eadoin helped himself to his liquor cabinet. 

The graceful man, or elf rather, he’d seen at the door earlier was apparently some big shot’s son. Casimir wasn’t familiar with the name, but the way they spoke of it indicated that it was infamous among Tyberians. Whatever the case, an Asgardian general’s son getting tangled with a bunch of ragtag rebels? What had possessed the young man to do such a thing? Truth be told, Casimir wasn’t certain he’d be willing to ditch everything such a position entailed to go off and join some revolution in a faraway land. Ah well, people always had their reasons…

“Anyway, I assume that what you’re asking here relates to our skills. After all, if we’re going to work together, we’ll need to know where our strengths lie. Myself, I prefer a…subtler approach, but I’ve been in a fight or two. Let’s just say that this won’t be the first time I’m going somewhere I’m not supposed to.” 

Having said that, Casimir leaned back in his chair, his thoughts already returning to the prison they were supposed to break into.