Looking for work|Obsidian, Humontis

[blackjack6124]

Jack nodded, then pulled a strip of leather dangling from his backpack. A moment later, he had it in a figure-8 knot between scabbard and crosshilt. He offered it to the girl to check his knot.

[Northen Light36]

Acqua, gritting her teeth and forcing herself not to limp despite the pain in her ankle, makes her way over and glances at the peace tied sword, nodding her approval. "Nice to see someone with a bit of manners and sense," she remarks.

[Skittlebug]

The girl, who had actually been wondering how to judge whether or not the sword was tied properly, grins and looks over the knot as well before nodding, "It looks all right to me." She gives Acqua a quick grin.

[blackjack6124]

Jack strapped the sword to his back again. "I take it there was trouble, then?"

[Northen Light36]

"Nothing I couldn't handle, but more then enough for one night," Acqua remarked, leaning casually against the wall, in part to draw attention to the fact her daggers weren't peace tied, but mostly just to take some weight off her injured ankle. That was going to need healing water by the time she rolled into bed.

[blackjack6124]

"I see. You must be a fine fighter. Probably not as good as me, though," he teased, then, his playful bravado subsiding, asked, "Are you all right?"

[Skittlebug]

The girl looks between the two, then glances back to the room, "I've got some other people to take care of, just call me if you want to order something." She dips a small curtsy and turns before remembering, "Oh, I'm Fran," then head to one of the other tables, silently cursing herself for always forgetting to introduce herself.

[Northen Light36]

Acqua smirked at Jack, her eyes dancing with silent amusement. "Just a few bruises," she said simply. "And be careful, I might take that as a challenge and most who underestimate me regret it shortly after."

Her lack of height, young-looking face and slim build almost made the words seem like a joke - at first glance Acqua didn't look like she could fight off a day old kitten. But the two men who'd been dumped out the door and the fact her weapons were visibly well used hinted that the words were not an idle boast. "I'm Acqua. And you are?"

[blackjack6124]

"Jack Granger. A pleasure to meet you," he said, extending his hand.

[Northen Light36]

"Same," Acqua replied, shaking hands - and making sure her wedding ring was visible. "What brings you here?" she added. "Don't see too many minds around - particularly not this far from Sensatia."

[blackjack6124]

Jack had noticed the ring earlier, but his eye lingered over it briefly as she shook his hand. "I travel a lot. But it's actually Maelstrom. I was actually heading for Ilyamen, but something like the voice of Etaf told me Obsidian would be pleasant." Jack leaned against the wall with a smirk. "Or at least I'll pretend that was the case. I refuse to say I got lost."

[Northen Light36]

Acqua laughed and, since things seemed quiet now, flopped into another seat. "When I was younger, my brothers, my sister and I went on a force quest for Etaf. Well, they did and I was the tag-along they were stuck with. To this day I still say the quest was more of a cover for the fact Talon can't read a map to save our lives. I'm from Talen'sul myself, but my husband and I settled in Maelstrom when we got married."

[blackjack6124]

"You're as far from home as I am, then," Jack observed as he finally sat down. "What's the occasion?"

[Northen Light36]

"Being stabbed in the back," Acqua muttered. "I was hired to escort a family here. Simple and safe job, so I let my three kids tag along, since they could play with the client's kids. Didn't expect the bastard to take off in the night with everything that wasn't tied down instead of paying me." She shook her head. "Now I'm earning the money to get us home."

[blackjack6124]

"Ah, now this is what I live for. What's the guy look like? I could get your stuff back." Jack asked, more eagerly than he'd intended. He quickly pushed back the excess. "Or try, anyways."