[h2][color=red]Rayth Garek[/color][/h2]
[hr]

The merciless sun was torn from his shoulders as he stepped within the shade of the porch, the cool wind kissing his skin like a lost lover. But it paled in comparison to the smell of fresh cooked food that wafted out of the half lidded windows and ramshackle door. Rayth pulled the door open and stepped into the Tacklerock, seemingly just beginning its lunchhour. He must have been early. The patrons were outnumbered by the staff for once. The rakish rogue shrugged, figuring it just meant quicker service that way. Unshackling his baldric, he was about to take a seat when the door swung open behind him and near half a dozen street toughs stepped in, guffawing at what was likely a poor joke. One shouldered Rayth out of the way as the pack crashed through the doorway. Had they been on the street, Rayth would have bled the man out without the others even noticing he was wounded before it was too late, but as it were they were in a very enclosed space. He'd let it pass without conflict. 

Scratching his 5 o'clock shadow, he lazily stalked over to the counter and planted himself down, keeping his sword and dagger close at hand in case of thieves. A portly but confident woman, likely the matron of the establishment, made her way over to him with a smirk. [color=6495ED][b]"What will it be, honey?"[/b][/color] She asked him, hands on her hips. Rayth gave a lazy smirked back, his every moment like a lounging panther, as if he was merely saving his energy to use it when it counted. 

[color=cc131f][b]"Anything but fish. I've had enough fish the last week. I'll take a spirit too, whatever you recommend. I trust you."[/b][/color] He remarked with a wink. 

[color=6495ED][b]"Oh you flatter me, but you're far too young and skinny. Might want to try your luck with someone else. Maybe that cute little thing over there."[/b][/color] The matronly woman pointed to the corner of the common room and gave him a look, before wiping her hands and going into the back to fetch the food. Rayth glanced over his shoulder to where she had indicated, and he blinked. She hadn't been kidding. Resplendent in swathed robes and bedlah pants that hugged her figure delectably, the very pretty woman in question ate gingerly. Briefly, it registered in his mind she was either a mage or an initiate of some sort, and he nearly took the older woman up on her advice. It was a rare sight to see a beautiful woman sitting alone in a city such as this. But usually there were reasons for those outliers, and so he decided to just keep to himself. It was likely better for both them. 

He placed a hand on the side of his neck and rubbed, patiently waiting for his food and easing the tightness from his muscles, still stiff from the brawl at Moonie's two nights ago. That was, until his keen ears caught a gruff voice lift in the air. 

"How'd you like some company, girl? A real man'd lighten your day up, I'd say."  

Rayth snorted, recognizing the voice as one of the ruffians that had come bumbling in off the street. Ever curious, he peeked behind his shoulder again and realized it was a bit more than he had expected. It was not one, but all five of the brutes standing around the woman's table, smiling like jackals before a fresh kill. One gave a lewd gesture with his fist and another offered his lap for her to sit on. Rayth didn't know why he was going to get involved, but he guessed he was a glutton for an adrenaline rush. 

"Come on, darling. Don't look so lone-" 

[color=cc131f][b]"By Eruvar, I had no idea you sat all the way over here,"[/b][/color] Rayth interjected, his head poking in amongst the crowd. As the men were suddenly flummoxed at a new voice cutting through their jeers, the cutthroat patted one of them on the head and smacked another playfully on the cheek. [color=cc131f][b]"Thank you gentlemen. All this ruckus helped me find her! You-"[/b][/color] He wagged his finger at the woman, shaking his head as he sat on the booth beside her. [color=cc131f][b]"You scamper about taverns and expect me to look everywhere. Just because I arrived late, you're already eating without me..."[/b][/color] 

"Oi, who the fuck are you, mate?" A gap-toothed man demanded, reaching for a hidden weapon; likely a cudgel. 

Rayth gave him a look like it was the most obvious thing in the world.  [color=cc131f][b]"I'm her lover? Don't tell me you are too."[/b][/color] He chortled and gave the woman a side eyed glance, and plucked a gold coin out of thin air, as if by magic and not the sleight of hand it was. [color=cc131f][b]"Thanks so much for keeping her company, fellows. Here's something for the trouble. She's a handful, believe me."[/b][/color] Idly he flicked the gold royal it into the crowd of men, a few of them grabbing at it and the others looking more than a bit annoyed. Eventually they found it wasn't worth the trouble of hitting a married man at lunchtime for some foreign tail, so they dispersed muttering amongst themselves.  

[color=cc131f][b]"I figured," Rayth began quietly, "we could both benefit by having a non-violent meal together, rather than a violent one that would get everyone kicked out of the tavern. Do you agree?"[/b][/color]