[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: Eilrethiel [@Fernstone]
Outfit: Worn by quite the catch[/code][/right][hr]

The second go around was not any more palatable than the first, but now knowing what to expect Ransom was able to keep the sip of Something Worse down. He wasn’t surprised to see that Eil had taken him up on his offer. If anything, Ransom was more shocked that less people were raiding the bar. If the world wasn’t ending then now was a prime time to be looting while everyone’s eyes were up to the sky watching the whole town turn topsy-turvy. But of course the world was ending, despite what the strange elf he was half-listening to had claimed, and even if it wasn’t Ransom was above behaving like a common crook.

[i]A man has to have principles,[/i] thought Ransom as he passed Eil a heavy pour of Rosa’s secret stash.

Ransom dropped the drink off in front of Eil before he had even finished requesting it. He stepped back, casually leaning against the far counter so that he wasn’t in the splashzone. Ransom wasn’t quite sure what flavor of elf this one was, but if he had to guess then judging by the webbed fingers he was dealing with one of those Inbred Elves. The blue skin was probably some kind of hereditary disease, the kind his elven ancestors proudly boasted of as being a symbol of strong fae connections but really meant that he had to be extra careful because even the tiniest of scratches could lead him to bleeding out. Plus, with the way Eil was carefully over enunciating his words…

Ransom squinted. Despite the unplaceable accent, the elf talked kind of like how Ransom talked. 

[color=4967d5]”I’d jump over too, but I don’t want to follow your amazing performance.”[/color]

There was a wink and a smile. Now most scumbags would be on edge after being teased and bounty blocked by a tiefling and probably jump to the conclusion that there was something fishy about the elf. However, Ransom was not the average scumbag. First, despite the staggering evidence and direct assertions from the tiefling herself, Ransom was pretty sure that Cali would come crawling back to him once she realized what she could have. Second, everyone should be winking and smiling at him anyway. He was often shocked how rarely a parade of fawning suitors formed behind him whenever he came to a new town. Clearly it was only due to shyness and modesty, his two least favorite traits.

Lastly, and most importantly, this wasn’t just a wink and a smile from some nobody. The clear signs of birth defects from keeping the lineage pure, the properly posh way of making sure that every syllable of every word was fully used and explored, blood so blue that it had dyed his skin—Ransom would bet good money that Eil was highborn in some way. Probably had some unpronounceable name, too. His expression softened. Not the elvish princess that he had exactly been looking for, probably not even a prince unless they were a runaway. It was more likely  that Eil was the second or third cousin of some duke or baron if he was traveling without any kind of retinue, but hell, any port in a storm. 

Ransom slipped away from his defensive positioning at the back of the bar and moved up to the front counter. He leaned against the counter across from Eil, trying not to glance at those creepy webbed fingers while pretending to be absolutely charmed by his introduction, letting out a soft laugh as if the elf had said something funny. If anything, Ransom was laughing because he’d called it. Elves loved their ridiculous names, always naming their kids after the sound a tree makes when the wind blows through the leaves or some shit. Pretty, pretentious fucks.

[color=plum]“A pleasure to meet you, Eilrethiel,”[/color] said Ransom, showing off that he could be a pretty, pretentious fuck too. He sucked it up and offered Eil his hand. [color=plum]“I am Ransom Labelle and, if I may speak honestly, I couldn’t imagine watching the world end with a more delightful person.”[/color]

It wasn't a compliment. Ransom was referring to himself.

[color=plum]“But if I heard you correctly, you believe this isn’t the end. How about we make this a little interesting? When that tower pops and the world ends, I get you to search for me in the afterlife so I can say [i]’I told you so’[/i]. But if you happen to be right, and I truly hope that you are seeing as how I would hate to have our time together cut short, you get, hmm,”[/color] Ransom leaned forward, the corners of his lips curling. [color=plum]“Well, what would you like?”[/color]