[center][color=rosybrown][h2][i]Nika Surt-Kallin[/i][/h2][/color][/center]
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[color=silver]Nika's first impression of the infamous 'Magekiller'? Poor.

The man seemed cautious, shrewd, and no slouch in the strength department judging from his frame; or what Nika could tell of it under his garb anyway. They were all fine traits for a mercenary, and the man's reputation preceded him, but it didn't stop Nika from feeling a prickle under his skin. It wasn't the magekiller's clear disdain for him that made Nika feel that way (this was Fenris, it would be strange for anyone living here [i]not[/i] to feel some wariness if not dislike for those that looked Luxun), but rather his blase attitude with Brig.

He didn't expect a stranger to prostrate themselves in front of the members of House Fenris as it was just not the way of Northmen to do such things. A little respect wouldn't have killed the man, though. Perhaps, having spent most of his life with Brigitte, he didn't need to develop the 'acquired taste' some may need with her. Or, perhaps, he felt that way because he'd already sworn his life over to her.

Was he biased? Naturally. And he could admit that. He could also recognize that Brig wanted the man's prowess, and that they may even need it considering what they were going to do. It still wouldn't change his initial feeling, though.

As the door closed and the four of them gathered in the tavern's backroom, Nika scowled at the magekiller. It was an expression that the pact knight rarely wore, and it didn't look quite right on his face... especially as there was a undertone of exhaustion in it from the road, the attack itself, and the emotional whiplash of it all. He held his tongue from saying anything to the man - it was Brig's role to hire her own mercenaries, and Maeki's to mediate if they needed it. Leaning against one of the walls with his arms crossed, Nika made himself a silent but strong presence in Brig's corner as she prepared to go over everything. 

Nika let his eyes slip closed for a moment, let out a long, quiet exhale through his nose. When he opened his eyes again he noticed it: there were two extra people in the room.

No matter how subtle they were trying to be, there was only so much one could not to be noticed in a small, empty room. Even if the nobles hadn't been on alert already, it would have been pretty hard to miss the additional people slipping in. Immediately Nika pushed off from the wall, putting himself between the two additional mercenaries and his ward. 

[color=rosybrown]"This's supposed to be a private discussion, [i]Maeki[/i], so what's with the scavengers?"[/color] 

Because the half-dwarf had been the last one in, so he had to have let them enter unless they'd picked the lock with impressive speed. The pale red of Nika's gaze was hard, questioning, as it studied the two. A man and a woman. A Northwoman and a foreigner. Difficult to tell if they knew each other or had just had the same idea at the same time to invite themselves in. Both about to be bodily tossed out if their presence wasn't swiftly explained.
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