[center][h1]Tommy Kavanaugh[/h1][/center][hr]Characters: Tommy, Dory[@jasbraq][hr]

The Vermillion Swirl was a high class establishment befitting of a Feskan noble. It was not, however, fitting of the Enthish boy sat across from her at the table of their booth. He’d been here once in the year, and spent the majority of his stipend on the visit. Tommy Kavanaugh would never say no to a ladies invitation, nor would he turn down a meal ticket at such a fancy establishment.

The two had met briefly at the auction that took place prior to the trials. He’d made passes at plenty of the girls and gotten turned down an equal number of times, but Dorothea had not explicitly done so. In fact, they’d discussed potentially stealing an item from another buyer, but that quickly fizzled out with the on-goings of the trials and his own personal business. Still, she had not forgotten the offer and that had brought them here, to this reputable establishment Hardly a place to talk of usual business, but perfect for the type of skullduggery they were likely to discuss. 

Dory leaned back in her seat, eyeing the Enthish lad across. [color=86608E]”Do not worry about the costs of your meal, it shall be on me.”[/color] The Feskan waved at the staff for a bottle of wine to be shared between the two. [color=86608E]”I will say, I was quite surprised when you offered to steal something for a stranger.”[/color] 

And as if waiting for her words, he finally dug into his meal. He could not afford this place, at least not right now. He began to cut into a steak while speaking, keeping eye contact [color=gray]”Ya seemed in a pickle, so I offered a hand”[/color] as he shoveled a piece of meat into his mouth. It was the best thing he’d eaten in weeks, and he took a moment to savor the flavor, before continuing. [color=gray]”I sensed somethin’ bout ya. A lotta babes are empty headed n’ that’s fine, but I reckon ya got demons about ya. Not like the void ones the school talks ‘bout, but, y’know, the ones up ‘ere.”[/color] he said, gesturing to his head with the knife he’d just used. A droplet of blood ran down it and he licked the blade clean. [color=gray]”Made me feel like you’d treat me right, y’know?”[/color] he said, grinning as he put another piece of that delicious meat in his gullet. 

As soon as the staff member returned with a bottle and two glasses did the girl open the bottle and pour one out for the both of them. [color=86608E]”Demons about me, whatever do you mean?”[/color] Dory chuckled as if Thomas was telling her a joke, however her eyes told a different story. [color=86608E]”Well, if you keep being entertaining I’ll keep treating you ‘right’.”[/color] A little wink went the Enthish man’s way as she began to cut into her own piece of meat. 

Tommy swirled the wine in the glass. Yet another delicacy he did not commonly enjoy, but today, he sipped and enjoyed it. [color=gray]”Ahh, I guess the look o’ loss on ya face. Saw it a lot in Barrowton, like ya itchin’ for somethin;.”[/color] He paused. He didn’t know what it was she was after though. Beautiful, noble, rich, what more could she really want? [color=gray]”Power, maybe? We’re like of mind in that case, y’know.”[/color] he knocked it back like a shot, in his typical unrefined way as he dug into another piece of meat. [color=gray]”Entertainin’s what I do, sweetheart. So, what is it ya after? What can I, a poor lil’ Enthish lad do for ya?”[/color] he smiled and winked, thoroughly helping himself to the banquet splayed before them. 

Dory smiled and swung a finger from left to right. [color=86608E]”Ding ding, you guessed correctly.”[/color] She cocked her eyebrow in amusement for Thomas’s words. [color=86608E]”We are? Do you wish for power? Perhaps even a nice little noble title.”[/color]
The smirk on her face went from ear to ear, swinging her glass around slowly. [color=86608E]”How good are you ‘dealing’ with someone?”[/color]

[color=gray]”Whaddya mean?”[/color] he asked, gesturing a fork in her direction, swallowing his food. [color=gray]”An’ who is this someone?”[/color] he smirked confidently. Unless she said Joshe Intaba himself, he felt plenty confident. Hell, with how good he felt fine dining, he’d take his chances with the old goat. 

[color=86608E]”Back in Feska there are a couple important houses”[/color] She paused to take another sip of her wine. [color=86608E]”They will get at each other's throats if one of them was being framed for the death of another.”[/color] Dory pointed her finger straight towards the man sitting across from her. [color=86608E]”Do you think you could manage that? I’ll be sure you’ll be properly rewarded in any way you wish.”[/color]

Tommy laughed. For all they pretended, nobles were no different than the street thugs that ran through Mudville or Barrowton. ‘Kill him, frame that one, steal his stuff’. The worlds they inhabited were the exact same, hidden through a veil of wealth and ‘proper’ lineage. And yet, he didn’t mind it. If the world was this rotten, even at stations he should have never been able to reach, then so be it. He’d crawl his way up there and laugh at the fuckers who’d have to grovel to him eventually. [color=gray]”Piece o’ cake. I was a fookin legend in Barrowton, Feska’s no different I reckon. And if I’m gettin’ rewarded in any way I wish, then that’s a deal!”[/color] he exclaimed his last sentence with enthusiasm, drinking another full glass of wine in a single gulp before extending a hand to her. [color=gray]”Thomas Kavanaugh, at ya service. You can call me Tommy if you wanna, though. Can’t do business if ya not familiar, right?”[/color]

Dory took his hand and firmly shook it. [color=86608E]”Dorothea Hohnstein. I have a much longer name than that but it does not roll off the tongue, so if you wish you could call me Dory.”[/color] Then as the handshake finished the Feskan leaned back into her seat once more. [color=86608E]”So, what kind of reward do you wish for such a task? Be it money, a title or something entirely different. Nothing is off the table of discussion.”[/color] Dory finished her glass. Feska was a marble with a mud core and she will either clean the mud or see the marble crumble. 
Tommy stabbled what little remained of the steak with his knife and shoved it in his mouth, finishing it before continuing [color=gray]”Dory, huh. Gotcha. To be blunt, I want everythin’. Noble title would be nice, but I reckon it’d also be trouble to carry around and I like movin’ light. Money’d be nice. Strength’d be even nicer.”[/color] he paused, and cracked his neck. [color=gray]”Not to say I’m not ya guy, but there’s monsters around this place, y’know. People that can kill ya without tryin’. These highborns with magic out the wazoo. I need to level the playin’ field. Like one o’ those items that the kids got for the trials last year, ya feel? ”[/color] he spoke, pondering how she could make this possible.

[color=86608E]”You would not like to have a title?”[/color] Dory looked rather disappointed, normally peasants would accept such a reward within a second. [color=86608E]”I would so enjoy having you close by, though.”[/color] Dory finished her substantially smaller plate and smiled. [color=86608E]”If you wish to lend something that could help you against the strong.”[/color] She hesitated before putting her tiara on the table. [color=86608E]”Then how about this?”[/color]

Tommy recognized it. Rumours of it being cursed, or inhabited by a demon. A funny juxtaposition considering his earlier comments, but he couldn’t help but grin. [color=gray]”Depends on the title. Somethin’ like this would make a king, which I’d say is fittin”[/color] he spoke, picking it up. It was definitely the most expensive object he’d ever held in his hands, and it just… felt right to the touch. [color=gray]”You sure you’re fine borrowin’ this? A lotta trust you’re putin’ in a scoundrel like me, y’know. ”[/color] he joked, knowing all too well he was going to follow through with his words. Maybe if this was some scumbag dude who was giving him a bad deal, but it was a scumbag babe who was giving him an excellent deal, at least as far as he was concerned. She was one of his people, even if their classes were worlds apart. Regardless, he set the crown on his head, felt what lay within and smiled devilishly.  [color=gray]”Yeah. This’ll do nicely.”[/color]

Dory smirked, pouring herself another glass. [color=86608E]”I was more thinking of the title of count to start off comfortably.”[/color] She once more swirled her glass around. The woman had insurance that there would be no cutting this deal short from either side. She then extended her hand. [color=86608E]”Well, let’s just say that if you accept this deal and shake my hand I’m more than sure you’ll bring it back, dearest Tommy.”[/color]

A small shiver ran up his spine at those words… that absolute confidence that things were going to go her way. She wasn’t particularly intimidating, but he was certain she wasn’t an idiot, so there was something to this. Regardless, he intended to honor the deal, at least so long as it was convenient. And so, he rose once more to shake the girls hand a second time. [color=gray]”Count Kavanaugh has a nice ring to it, y’know. We got a deal then, Dory. To a fruitful relationship, ye?”[/color] he smirked and shook her hand, leaning in to give it a little kiss. He’d heard that was proper etiquette when dealing with ladies from Johann. Still, things once again were getting interesting. His luck had only gotten better since Moli’s, and this looked like another step on the ladder. 

The two shook hands and soon after both could feel a connection made between them, it felt as ominous as it did secure. [color=86608E]”To a great relationship, Future Count Kavanaugh. The crown is yours until the Trials are over. I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”[/color]