[Location] The Raven Club

[Heikou]

The three-story building was located in the first plane of Har'oloth, the mercantile plane. The building stood in a strange corner of the city. It seemed to be an extension of the cavern wall itself. The exterior was made of Limestone. It had no windows, except for the ones on the top floor.

A grand, black marble staircase leads to a large door. Carvings of various designs were imbedded in the wood. Steel hinges attached it to the wall. On either side of the door were two torches that glowed with a strange blue flame. Underneath these stood two cloaked guards. Both were large and kept their eyes hidden. Their race was undeterminable, as was most else about them. They checked the people entering. The one to the left held a scroll and seemed to be skimming it as the other guard checked those trying to enter. Aparently this establishment was very paticular about the people it allowed through the doors.

Upon passing through these doors one would have found a large high ceilinged room. This obviously took up the first two stories, of the building. The whole place was lavishly decorated. The main entrance leads to a balcony, on the second floor that wrapped around the large dark lit room. On which a bar and tables were scattered. Many patrons could be seen drinking, talking, making "business" transactions, smoking, and lingering about participating in various other activities. The walls in the bar area were scattered with paintings and artwork. Coming down from there was another marble stair, lined with silver banisters that ended in sculptures of Ravens, carved out of the black marble.

Many of the same dark guards watched from the shadows, like specters.

This first floor was where the party was.

A stage on the far wall was lit with various lamps. Musicians of all types graced this platform. They played huge drums, violins, and other strange instruments. One such was a five stringed instrument that stood on a wooden leg. The neck extended upwards. The body of it expanded outward, in an hourglass shape. It was made of wood, and the player had to stand next to it to play it. His left hand worked up and down the neck of the instrument, while his right plucked the strings. It seemed to be amplified by the room’s acoustics. Its sound was low and booming, the notes pulsing through the room. Accompanying it was also what looked like some sort of organ that produced strange noises. Not that they were unpleasant. They were just different.

The room was lit by the same blue flame, as outside, from both torches and chandeliers, that hung from the ceiling. The light danced across the floor moving without anything to hinder its motions, creating spoltights that danced with the patrons. The dance floor was filled with dancing people, moving with the beats of the drums. Their movements, unlike any that could be seen anywhere else in the empire. All of the dancers seemed to be in some sort of trance. Smoke of various scents wafted down from the balcony above.

Another hallway lead away from the dance floor, ending at a door that was heavily guarded. It was the door that lead down into a tunnel, an enterence to the imfamous Shadow Market. This ended in a corresponding little cafe.

A bar and tables were set up, in the same decore as the main club. Waitresses served drinks and food for hungery customers. It was a much more legitimate business.

The mysterious third floor seemed inaccessible. Only those who knew could access it. Its door lay behind the bar. It was a secret panel that slid open at the touch of a small painting that hung next to it. A small wooden stair leads up from there. It ended in a long dark hall. The only light coming from the windows and a few torches. The walls were a dark green, with wooden molding along the floor. The ceiling was green as well. Hanging from it was a solitary chandelier that hung in the middle of the hall.

Rooms spawned off of this. Various offices and a large conference room. This room held a large wooden table that sat upon an ornate rug. Five chairs sat around it. Two large lamps lit the room, with only the windows adding any additional light. A fireplace sat on the far wall and various portraits lined the wall. All of these were of various people, all of which could be linked back to this room and the group that inhabited it.

[Jynx]

Jynx had followed the mysterious personage into this building, for herself she did not understand why she was dragged her and was utterly irritated by the fact that she had been searched on her way in. There were various people just lingering it would seem in the room, discussing deviant business and smoking.

Jynx did not like this atmosphere, there was too many people but she remained vigilint and extremely wary of what was around her. In short If something spooked her, she would not hesitate to leave.

She remained in the entrance of the building, and would not budge from this spot until she was certain she was safe.

[Heikou]

The cloaked figure lead the two to the second floor. They moved along the wall past the dancers and up to the bar area. He brought them to the bar and told Jynx to sit at the bar until she was called for. He left and took the kimite drug dealer behind the bar and disapeared.

This would seem strang considering that there were not any visible ways out from behind the bar other than the way they had gone in.

The vysstichi barmaid aproached Jynx. "Uou want something to drink hun? They'll probably be a while."

[Darilic T'Kon]

Darilic entered the Raven Club, after being searched and having his weapons confiscated of course, and looked around at the interior, noticing everybody and sizing them up as was his habit. He had lived a long time because he was careful, and he was not going to take the chance of slipping now.

Darilic went to the bar and ordered a drink, and after paying for it he wondered around the club, mingling, even dancing with a beautiful vyssie female.

After a time Darilic saw a female at the bar who was rather stunning in her apperance. But other than that there was something about her that made him want to approach her, the way she moved proved that she was dangerous, and that she would not hesitate to do what was needed to protect herself. She was on edge and that made her muscles stand out well against her outfit, showing she was ready to move in an instant.

Rather than move away from the dangerous female, Darilic moved towards her, drawn like a moth to the flame. When he was close enough to speak the vyssie waitress had just asked if she wanted something to drink.

Walking up Darilic placed some crowns down on the bar and said," Give her whatever she wants, and be quick about it."

Turning to look at the female that was now beside him Darilic said," I noticed you from across the room and thought I would come over and see what such a deadly creature is doing in Vortex,"

Darilic's tunic had the symbol of the First House sewn onto it and he was dressed in his accustomed black leather with blood red trim. He wasn't trying to pick her up, but he was quite curious about her, and he was wanting to satisfy that curiosity.

[Jynx]

((Sorry about the delay.))

The funny thing about the moth when its allured by the flame is it becomes enveloped in the fires temptation but inevitable burned by the fire, slowly burning to no more then ash as its relentlessly consumed. And Jynx was the fire, a fire she felt would cleanse the world of the worshipers of Ionna's in favor of another pantheon Jorel.

She hoped to spread his influence further into the more respectable regions of the world as they knew it. Her cunning her viciousness, her relentless onslaught she was not going to be stopped until an arrow had breached her heart and she lay dead on the ground in a pool of her own blood.

As Darilic made his approach Jynx remained vigilant of him, almost as if implying that she was ready to strike out and lash at him with a ferocity more bewildering then anything he had come across hitherto. Despite not being armed, Jynx could still wield a many number of objects as a weapon to protect herself if need be.

Jynxd had then taken advantage of the free drink and ordered herself some sort of wine, and when the bartender wandered off to go get it. Jynx turned her head and looked at him, gazing examining, scrutinizing for weaknesses as if she was planning to cut him down then and there.

But suddenly a warm smile crept upon her plush red lips and she whispered a hushed sentence towards him. " My name, oh its Jynx.... What do you want? If your just going to stare at me, at least do so from afar... thanks for the drink, now hit the road!." her smile turned into more of a snicker as she seemed to tense herself up even more then relax.

As she relaxed she leaned back just a little before talking in a more arrogant manner and posture, she was obviously not impressed even though his jacket had the symbol of the first house written upon it. It was simply because Jynx cared not for the riches of others, only herself, as her nature was greedy and self serving in short it was all about her or it was about nothing at all.

Well if you must know, im about to do business and make myself super rich, how rich you might ask? More crowns then you can probably count. That’s assuming you can count, dark elf. Now if you want to discuss business, you can have a seat and talk with me... but if your another worthless street urchin you can peddle your wares somewhere else... because if your not going to make yourself the least bit interesting I will remember this encounter and I will promise you... maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day I will have my vengeance and I will rain misery and pain down upon your aggravatingly cordial heart.

It was apparent that Jynx was not a friendly individual but such arrogance was warranted, because who knows where she came from. For all Darilic knew she was dark royalty, at least she acted like that. But if Darilic did make himself interesting, and he did have something useful to offer her, Jynx's turbulently benign attitude was bound to change.

[Darilic T'Kon]

OOC: Out iof curiosity, are you a dark elf? your profile just says an angel and I did see your specifications that you got permission for. Just curious. And no problem about the delay, I have been somewhat busy lately myself.

IC: Darilic looked at the female before him, a smile playing upon his lips as he listened to her words. She was a fiesty one, and there was no doubt about that. And she meant every word she said as well, which made Darilic smile all the more.

Darilic pondered her words for a few moments, about what she said for her reason for being in the bar. Taking the seat that she had offered Darilic studied her for a moment longer and then said," Aye, I think I would like to talk buisness with you. And no, I am not just some street urchin trying to peddle my wares, I am the Security Master for the First House, and yes I can count as well."

Darilic's smile took on a cold edge that told little other than his teeth were showing and contiued saying," And no, I am not trying to impress you with my connection to the First House, it is just the means to an end and when I have accomplished what I need then I will quit their service. However, if you are trying to start making money and a buisness then perhaps I can be of some use to you. The First House, although held in less than high regard, does have quite a bit of knowledge of certain activities that take place in Vortex and in Har'oloth, and perhaps that could be of some use to you. Lady Rilvin hardly ever inquires about what I do so I have free run of the House and everything within. I make this offer from myself, not from the First House, if it can be of use to you then the deal would be between the two of us only, and would not inculde the First House or it's people other than me."

Darilic stopped before saying anything else. He wantd to see how she would react to what he had said and if she was interested before saying too much. She was a striking figure, and she was intelligent as well. Both together made for a deadly combination that would result in a bad day for people who crossed her.

[Jynx]

ooc wow thats the first time thats ever happened, jynx is a plain old human... >.> That @ngel thing represents something called Anarchy Angel. v.v...

IC: Jynx just sat in her seat, and smiled just a tad. At least he knew how to act around her, that was for sure. As had daliric been beligerent to her in even the slightest case, it was without a doubt a wine bottle would have been cracked open and she would have stabed him with it, as just a minor warning to tell him to back off.

His approach was smooth, though overly self concious but on the bright side it made Jynx more welcoming and pleasent then before. For Jynx she found it amusing, as well as pleasing that he did not have the gall to lash out at her. But he did seem interested in talking business, and it appeared as if he was making it very clear that if they were to do business, it was to be between the two of them rather then his current employer.

Continuing where Darilic had left off, she spoke.

Well you see, mystery man, I plan things big, and I have plans when I can find a bank large enough but left unguarded I want to to rob it. Not just as much crowns as I can fill my bags, but enough crowns to bankrupt an entire city. Though its easier said then done, because such an oppurtunity arises only once in a life time. But I figure if I can make some money doing business with these fine people I will be able to hopefully purchase some extra man power to get the job done. When in fact I am able to get the job done.

Jynx had suddenly stopped talking, but that was because the bartender had come back and handed her a glass of red wine which she picked up and siped every once in a while. It was obvious that darilic needed to respond to what jynx proposed.

[Darilic T'Kon]

Darilic listened intently to what Jynx was saying and thought about it for a few moments when she fell silent due to the arrival of the bartender.

Thinking of a way that he might be able to help in her scheme Darilic said," If man power is what you are looking for then I think that I may be able to help. I already have several dracons who are loyal to me for saving them from the slave market that I am training in weapons use, and I have the vaults of the First House with which to buy more slaves. I am somewhat adept with the weapons that the guards have at the entrence, and I can train others as well. Perhaps if you would tell me what exactly you are looking for then I might be able to accure them for you. And if you are looking to rob a bank of it's entire stock of crowns then I could be of some use to you as well. Since I have to keep the First House secure I have to be able to see weaknesses in it's defense and think how somebody would exploit them. I could look over the back that you are considering and give you my opinon. I could also lead the men that you wish to do the job, for a cut of the profits of course. I am also in the process of procuring a sanctuary that might be a good place for you to train your troops and house them as well. It would not be in the city proper and so you would be able to do what was needed without being bothered or hiding what you were doing."

Again Darilic fell silent, waiting to see how she would respond to his offer. He knew that his offer was very generous and would be attractive to her, if she was indeed looking to do as she said.

[Grak]

The cafe that Grak had chosen, had he but known it was the back part of the Raven Cafe. Supposedly it was the more respectable part of the establishment which was curious since it was the part that was actually in the Shadow market.

But for Grak it was an area that seemed a little safer and gave him some time to think about what he intended to do here.

One of the waitresses came over and he ordered an ale, as he usually did, though the effect on an orcs constitution was minimal to say the least. When she came back with the drink and he paid her, he asked a question.

Me look for narcotics, something small and easy to transport. Is dere somewhere here dat you could recommend? He added a large tip onto the coin that he had already paid, figuring that he had little to lose by asking and that someone who worked in the area would know it intimately and could save him brightenings of searching.

[Heikou]

The waitress was a female dracon. Her scales were blue, with a white scaled underside. Her sharp claws were well tended and manacured. Her blue tail swung back and forth behind her curvatious body, that any soft skin would stare at and admire. Her eyes were an emerald green. Her wings were folded behind her as she walked up to the Orc.

She took his order and came back with the Ale. "That'll be three crowns suga." Then after the inquiry about narcotics the scaly beauty responded, "Well aren't we blunt. It depends, suga, are you looking for a large amount or just somethin that'll give you a good trip this darkening" She gave a smile and a wink.

[Grak]

The voice got Graks attention and his eyes widened a little as he took in the sight in front of him, for the first time noticing the waitress as an individual. Of course, female orcs were what interested him and no one had ever accused any orc male or female of beauty, but still the dracon was an eyeful.

Dracons it was true he was not that familiar with but this one was special and his eyes tracked the tail as it swung daintily back and fro.

He smiled his appreciation of her question, though it did nothing to enhance his looks for it made the tusks show more.

Me not use da stuff myself, but I have shall we say an outlet dat I need to find some supplies for so its quantity dat I will want. But first me look for some samples and small quantities dat I can test. If ju can direct me to somewhere dat would be good to me den I will make it worth jour while.

[Heikou]

The draconess looked at Grak. "Well if it's trading that you are wanting you should go upstairs," She pointed a scaley finger to a door on the far side of the cafe. Two more black, cloaked guards stood on either side of the wooden frame. "You'll be wantin to talk to the bartender on the second floor of the club. Can I get you anything else to drink hun?"

The reptilian waitress shifted her weight and placed her left hand on her hip, waiting for the orc's reply.

[Grak]

Grak nodded to the information and was pleased that he had decided to ask.

Upstairs you say? Very well, and thanks. If I set something up then I will be back, for I remember those that help me.

It was even true, and Grak had built a degree of loyalty that way before with those that others would ignore.

This ale will be fine for now thanks. He passed over ten crowns and took his ale as cover and headed for the indicated door. Nodding to the bouncers who had seen him being directed through he passed into yet another tunnel, which he guessed was therefore taking him back out of the market and wondered where it was going to lead him.

Once out into the main club he paused and stood for a short while, drinking his ale while he scanned the large and high ceilinged room. His scan complete, he drained the glass and keeping it as some sort of excuse he headed over to the main entrance and then up to the balcony that wrapped around the room and stopped off at the bar there, dropping his glass down with a click on the counter.

Ale, he replied to the bartender, and when it was supplied, he continued, da waitress at da cafe out da back suggested dat I need to talk to ju about trading in da narcotics.

[Heikou]

Grak entered through the tunnel, passing the dance floor and band that was in the middle of one of their many sets at the Raven Club. A sea of partiers danced on the floor, their bodies mingling with eachother, like a never ending tribute toi the lustfull goddess.

Around the club, Grak noticed many of the same black guards, a couple by the main entrence and a few others scattered around the club. Anyone who was the least bit critical would suspect this place of being more than it seemed. The orc would make it to the bar to see a vysstichi bartender who got his drink.

"wait here." He disapeared withought a trace as grak was left with his drink.

[Grak]

Grak watched as the bartender disappeared and then shrugged and wandered over to the balcony with his drink.

He leant against the railing there and watched the activities in the club below. For certain this was an interesting place and there certainly wasn't anywhere in Imperia like it, though he had to admit that he hadn't had chance to explore all of Imperia just yet.

Seen from the viewpoint of this height the throng of partiers was just a mass of bodies that swirled and massed in time to the band that played. It all seemed a little pointless to Grak but then he was almost tone deaf and he was completly unfamiliar with these social activities that were just done for the enjoyment of it.

Enjoyment in the orc culture that he was used to normally consisted of inflicting pain on someone and preferably someone else. Grak still bore the scars from the games that he had played where he and another orc competed to see which one would give up first or collapse from loss of blood, as they took turns in cutting eachother. Such were the ways in which the orcs enjoyed themselves and he watched the activity below with interest but not a great deal of understanding.