Kalila feels her anxiety rising, threatening to silence her like it always does. But she can't just sit here and do nothing. Not after Gerta's kindness. Not after being welcomed like this.

The liquid fire in her veins pulls at her, begging to be released. Knowledge floods her mind: words of power, hand gestures, the shape magic takes. But she holds it back. For now.

Instead, she decides to try something else.

She scans the room quickly, looking for anything useful, any advantage. Then she takes a calm sip of her tea and speaks, her voice carrying the practiced calm of every noble tea party she's ever suffered through.

[b]"I see the saying is true: You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."[/b]

She addresses the masked man directly.

[b]"You do realize that by coming earlier than your contract says, you are breaking it?"[/b]

The man stops. Looks at her. Then he laughs, harsh and mocking behind his mask.

[b]"Contract?"[/b] He leans forward slightly, his clawed gauntlet tapping the table. [b]"You think I'm here on a contract, girl? Who even ARE you?"[/b]

Before Kalila can respond, Gerta steps in, her voice steady.

[b]"It's okay, sugar."[/b] She looks at Kalila, telling her without words to stand down.

Gerta places the leather pouch on the table in front of the man.

He snatches it up and opens it, counting the gold pieces one by one. Slowly. The tension in the room grows with each coin that clinks.

Kalila counts them in her head. Thirty gold pieces. Fifteen weeks of her wages. Just gone.

Finally, the man closes the pouch and stands. He gives a slight, mocking bow of his head.

[b]"You know, Gerta,"[/b] he says, his tone almost friendly now, [b]"I've been saying this for a long time. We'll need that boy of yours to join us."[/b]

Gerta's expression hardens. [b]"No."[/b]

[b]"That bitch queen of yours has sent even more men to Thornwood,"[/b] the man continues, ignoring her. [b]"Countless of ours have been killed or thrown in prison. We need bodies. Strong bodies."[/b]

[b]"The answer is NO."[/b]

The man shrugs. [b]"Then we'll double what you pay. Sixty gold next time. To cover the cost of another soldier."[/b]

Garrek slams his hand on the table, standing quickly. [b]"That's bullshit! You've been taking and taking! This isn't fair!"[/b]

Everything happens so fast.

The man moves like a snake. His clawed gauntlet shoots out, grabbing Garrek by the throat and slamming him back against the wall. The claws press into his skin. Blood begins to run down his neck.

[b]"Don't be brave, boy,"[/b] the man hisses.

Garrek gasps, his hands grabbing at the gauntlet, his eyes wide.

Gerta moves.

She grabs the pan of hot tea from the table and throws the scalding liquid directly into the man's masked face.

He screams, stumbling backward, letting go of Garrek. His hands fly to his face, clawing at the soaked mask. Steam rises where the tea hit. He roars in pain and fury.

[b]"YOU BITCH!"[/b]

The room explodes into chaos.

[hider=OOC]ROLL INITIATIVE

Also, you have inspiration for following your personality trait: "If someone is in trouble, I'm always ready to lend help.", even if you failed in you persuasion check!
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[b]What does Kalila do?[/b]