Interrupted Pondering

The Dragon's Head Tavern and Inn, Vorland, 1439 ATC

The man himself wasn't in the tavern, seems like no one was. However, his presence was still there in the form of the many posters around the tavern for Karkaldwin's Fine Cannabis. And Karkaldwin's Luxury Cigars, which proudly displaced his handsome face on it, a strong and confident grin on it. Beside his was a new poster advertising his cigars.

The new posters depicted a scantily dressed succubus with slanted, orange eyes, raven hair, styled in a layered bob above her shoulders at the back and much shorter at the front, and one of Venser's cannabis cigars in between her dark red lips.

At the lake not too far from the tavern...

The water was still. The calm he water while calm had so many different hues of blue, reflecting the bright blue sky, near the shore it was pale blue, nearly translucent, as it got deeper it changed from pale blue to deep deep dark blue. The vibrant green grass sits along the border occupied by daisies with moonlight-pale petals and a speckle of yellow in the middle. The whole surface make a gentle, waving notion as the breeze passes by. On the black sandy shores, near a few rocky formations, laid a body. The man lay mostly in the water as the tide came in, blowing his long hair and beard about. He was unstill, staring up at the sky with glazed over emerald eyes and caring about the world around him. Not even the warm waters that engulfed him.

Thud thud thud. The wooden plank floors creaked with each step but each of those steps were heavily echoeing with a thud from Gloria Yagami's heavy boots upon reaching the entrance of the Dragons Head Tavern and Inn, with a single push, she made her way through the doors, entering with her head held high with overly confident glare that skimmed around the room, searching for one particular man, Venser Karkaldwin.

"VENSERR!"

Her voice rang through the tavern, demanding yet slightly husky to the ear. She stood in the middle of the tavern with both hands to her slender waist. She was dressed in very feminine armor that cinched at the waist that almost like a metal plated corset that flaunted her curves. Her skin was close as a fine porceline, slightly blushing at the cheeks, her rosey pink lips that slightly pouted after calling out Venser's name. Her almond shaped eyes were brightly lit, like an amber gemstone that glimmered from the natural sun's ray that shone through the windows of the tavern. Her black hair that lustered vibrantly with each movement she made as she looked around for the male.

That haughty arrogant vibe eminated heavily from Gloria, a noble succubus. She strided with an attitude about her, making her way towards the bar to take a seat. She unholstered her favorite dagger from her side to let it rest atop the bar. She drummed her fingers as she looked around the tavern, his face seems to be postered up everywhere she turned, slightly pricking her vein, she calmly shut her eyes and waited for someone to tend to her, if not, wait for him to return since they have a some things they need to discuss.

A woman with sandy hair in a blue dress walked out from down the hall and took his place behind the bar, looking to the woman with hazel eyes eyes. ''What do you want with my boss?'' She asked, letting out a yawn and cracking her knuckes.

Her acute sense of hearing tickled her ears, her crimson hues shifting to where the sound of footsteps were heard. Gloria narrowed her eyes, trailing the barmaid as she approached behind the bar, both elbows rested upon the wooden counter but her right hand pillared against her cheek before her lips parted to speak.

"I am waiting for my partner to show himself. I don't like to be kept waiting, AND HE SHOULD KNOW THIS!" She made herself clear and heard.

"Venser said he was at the blue lake fishing I believe, and I'm in charge of the tavern." The sandy haired barmaid said calmly, giving her a smile and straightening up.

"My name is Brea Rowland, so can I get you anything while you wait? Could I offer you a scone?"

"Oh, it must be nice to not have a care in the world... Little prick!" She muttered to herself before turning addressing Brea.

"Fetch me a tankard of mead. No scones." Gloria slammed a golden piece of coin at the counter.

''Sorry, Ven hasn't told me he was expecting anyone today and I wasn't sure he would even be here today.'' Brea said grabbing a metal tankard and filling it to the brim with the finest mead they had on the tap, setting it down in front of the slanted eyes succubus. ''If you like I can point you in the direction of the lake.''

Gloria released a heavy sigh, drawing the tankard closer to her, picking up the mug to quench her thirst. She downed it in one gulp, before she gathered her dagger to holster.

"Where is this lake?" She spoke irritably.

Brea walked a few feet to the right and pointed out the window. ''Straight thataway. About a mile and a half, twenty minute walk at least over there. Less on horseback though."

The slanted eyed succubus shoy a glare over at the barmaid before she swiftly turned and advanced towards the exit to find the lazy bum Venser Karkaldwin.

She made prior arrangements to meet him, it was today to discuss their business with the exporting the goods out of Bayhorse Port and No Name Port.

"That Venser.. Making me walk in this heat..." She mumbled annoyingly as she walked through the woods.

Just beyond the horizon, they see the blue waters shimmering from the sun's ray, sparkling like diamonds in the night's sky.

Orange slanted eyes started to scan the area, looking for one particular reason why she was there. The closer they got towards the water, she noticed a familiar figure laying about in the waters.

"That lazy..." She muttered between her teeth. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks was heard along with the chirping of the birds feasting upon the greens of the sea. It was getting harder for Gloria to walk along the black sands that covered the grounds as she neared the tides breaking in. The dampened earth sinking in her boots engulfing the bottoms with each step she took, soiling her clad shoes and armor.

"VENNNNSEEERRRR!!" Gloria shouted out to him, loud enough for her to be heard through the waves of the waters.

The waves weren't that big, it was a rather calm tide on a perfect day. After picking up his belt with his sword, flask, and other items he spun around and disappeared in a puff of thick red smoke, reappearing in front of her.

''Ugh... Trade routes, right, Gloria?'' He asked and shook his head after saying that. ''I mean of course... I mean we're partners and our relationship is professional but... Ahem."

He clasped his hands together.

"How's running my small business going?"

The noble succubus let out an annoyed huff.

"I lost crates of the herbs that was delivered to me. It was stolen, AH, that's what I wanted to discuss with you along with the... Trade."

Gloria only narrowed her eyes at him.

"Have any ideas? If not, I guess we are going on a little adventure, me and you" Her voice was harsh, feeling the built of anger rushing in, almost wanting to explode.

''What? When was this? What? Where? When? Who? Pirates? Ghosts? Pirate ghosts?''

Venser asked cocking his head to the side, putting his leather belt back on around his waist. He let out a sigh and could tell exactly the mood she was in compared to his, which was more calm and reserved since he had already delt with the distribution and advertising in No Name Port.

"Look, Gloria. I trusted you to mostly run this and take a good amount of the cut... Key words, trust you to run it for me. And here I was going to invite you to frolick at the lake with me and drink some cold green tea. But now we're going to get these shipments back.''

Gloria scoffed. "It was on the way to No Name Port... A city I have yet to visit. So, I need you to fill me in on where on Laguna this city is.

The handsome bearded man let out a sigh and cleared his throat, ready for a lengthy exposition.

"Its a big port city in the south Slender Sea on the island of Pocatellage. It is famed for pearl harvesting mainly but is also known as a favored spot of sailors, sea merchants, and a huge haven for pirates and other rough folk. Organized and unorganized crime runs rampant with many of the local authorities turning a blind eye, aside from the brothel pimps run ladies of the Night, plenty oc cuthroats creep about along with several crime syndicates... And yet the ample trade and sheer beauty of No Name Port's location continues to bring people in."

The slanted eyed succubus placed her hands on her hips.

"I'll enjoy cutting those scum down to reclaim our product..."

The handsome bearded man let out a sigh and stretched out, letting out a sigh.

"And here I was enjoying a few days without having to fight and cut people down..." Venser said rubbing his beard.

"Come now, Venser, where's your sense of fun?"

"Right. Right. Let's get this over with then." The handsome bearded man said offeding his left hand to her, his strange mark glowing greenish white and emitted steam.

"What... Are we going to teleport?" Gloria asked.

"You guessed right... Come on. We haven't got all day. I acually need some of thise cigars now that I think about it..."