[hr][center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjk2LmRkYTBkZC5VbUZ1YzI5dElFeGhZbVZzYkdVLC4y/golden-jewelry.regular.webp[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/HvlcxJd.pngp[/img][/center][right][code] The Waystone Inn
Interactions:  Kel [@NoriWasHere] Cali [@Fernstone] Grask [@Blizz]
Outfit: His virtue is showing[/code][/right][hr]

Ransom knew the truth the moment Cali slipped between Kel and himself. The game was coming to an end. The river had been drawn, the bluffs had been called, and all of the chips were in.  The only thing that was left was to reveal their hands. Cali had shown hers first. She was jealous. She was absolutely smitten. She didn’t want to share Ransom. How could he blame her? It was especially hard to think of a reason why as she backed her tail up against his legs. 

In fact, it was quite difficult to think about anything else–or it would have been. Yet even after he had wiped most of it off on Kel’s leg before she was pulled away, the bile that had crept into his boots had completely killed the mood. Odd. Normally Ransom felt disgust after clarity, not the other way around. He was certain Cali had wedged herself between them out of an instinctive jealousy. Of that there was no doubt. She wanted to tangle with him all by herself, even if she was no longer pretending it was one thing when really it was the other. 

[color=plum]“Oh, I know,”[/color] said Ransom, his smile shifting to mirror Cali’s wicked grin. [color=plum]“The temptation is killing me.”[/color]

He knew exactly what would happen if they stepped into that alleyway. He’d teach her a lesson in the importance of self-worth: never give away something for free when others would pay you for it. It was a shame, really. If she had heard him out and listened to reason she might’ve made for an excellent protege, or perhaps just a fun little pet until someone else caught his eye. It wasn’t that hard to find partners. He had proof of that waiting just outside of town. It was just that he hadn’t come to Greyharrow to bust one player; he wanted to clear the entire table. They were all worth more alive than dead. Ransom threw away the winning hand. He could still steal the jackpot.

Besides, killing a woman would just mar his reputation as a ladykiller. 

[color=plum]“Alas–”[/color]

Ransom was cut off by a claw on his shoulder as a dragonborn stood to confront him–as if he was the bad guy and not the victim! Last Ransom checked, he wasn’t the one getting pats on the back with a “there, there” and being forced to switch to water. His darkening eyes lingered on the obvious glowing weak point of the interloper’s magitech before they shifted to lock horns with Grask’s gaze. 

Ransom didn’t even have to give the man a once over to know exactly what he was capable of, because he’d recognized him the moment the dragonborn had stood up. This fucking guy was in every bar Ransom had ever stepped his once pristine boots in. Sometimes he was a human, sometimes a dwarf, sometimes a bard, sometimes a talentless prick with a six string guitar playing shitty covers of love songs to make up for his own lack of originality. Whoever he was he could never mind his own business, always acting like he was being a hero even when nobody had ever asked to be saved. Today this guy was Grask. 

[color=plum]“The only embarrassment here is you, [i]friend[/i].  I’m afraid you’ve mistaken your own personal experiences for a universal one. Unlike you, I don’t need to prey on a drunken slag to get with a woman. If you weren't so busy ogling them, you might've noticed that she came on to me.”[/color] 

He pointed at Cali. True...on one massive technicality, but true.

[color=plum]“Now why don’t you sit back down in your chair before you truly embarrass yourself. We can even scooch it over to the corner where you’d be more comfortable. It’s obvious that you love to watch something you’re not involved in,”[/color] bit Ransom, pushing Grask’s hand from his shoulder. [color=plum]“Your glove can keep you company. Fuck off from ours.”[/color]

Feeling no need to check the pulse of the little dragon man he had just murdered, Ransom turned back to the conversation he was having before it had been so rudely interrupted.

[color=plum]“Sorry about him. [i]Men,[/i]”[/color] said Ransom with a heavy sigh and a shudder. [color=plum]“The second some poor woman gets a bit too sloppy he comes over squealing like a pig hoping to get a little dirty. Just disgusting. I'm sorry. I just can’t stand a guy like that.”[/color] Bless him, Grask might’ve just saved a life. [color=plum]“What were we talking about? Forget it. Is she okay?”[/color] Wait, wasn't he still a priest? Quick, tag on a little, [color=plum]"Lathander's light."[/color]