Room at Flounder's (Sakura, private)

[Stephan Woulofen]

After unlocking the door with Sakura waiting behind him Stephan entered the door and left it open for her to close behind herself. As he looked around the room he found it to be of simple, but efficient design. It was just meant to be a place of rest anyways. Seeing a small table in a corner of the room near the window Stephan set the glasses and bottle upon it and then took a seat. Looking up for a moment to see if she would join him he smiled and then poured two glasses of wine and slid one over to her. Let the drinking begin.

"So...what kind of merchant business are you looking into? I'm not gonna arrest you, I'm not officer of the law," he said with a smile. Sitting back he sipped his wine and listened closely, studying her features and manner while he did so. What fine features she had.

[Sakura D'aron]

Sakura silently followed in and closed the door behind her and looked around the room, it seemed a bit more simple than her own room at the headless orc, but she didnt mind it.

Sakura nodded as she took the glass he offered and sipped some of the wine and smiled, then laughed at his comment. "I dont fear arrest, it's a risk yes, but i know what i get into before i get into it. I know the ups and downs in this business. But i will also not take unnessesary risks if i can help it.'' She said solemly and made her way over to the widown and stared outside for a momment.

"Well, as I said, it's a sea merchant business, but much to explain about that. You transport goods from one port to the other, buy and sell and all that involves into a merchant's line of work.'' She said matter of factly.

Sakura took another sip of her wine and grinned. "It's the side business of it that is a little bit more complex to explain. Well maybe not, but it isnt something that is said lightly.'' She said and then turned around to face him and smiled.

"Well Mr. Woulofen, I'm not what one would consider the lawful, decent and law abiding citizen that I should be.'' She said and chuckled. ''I'm not all bad, I'm not a cold blooded murderer or anything of the sort.'' she said and it was true, she may have killed before but it wasnt intended and she didnt consider herself a cold blooded murderer.

Sakura walked over to the table and sat down on the spare chair putting her glass down on the table. ''I live in Imperia, and there's a reason for that. I like that city cause it suits my purpose perfectly. I havent really done anything illegal yet, i've only one crime to be judged for. But we each have our ways of life, and I've chosen mine." She said and smiled looking at him. "I dont think there is anything for you to worry about though. I'll be the one doing the work, you are but a finacial partner so to speak. I dont see how anything I do would affect you in any way other than not bringing in your share of the profits.'' She said lightly and finished the rest of her wine.

[Stephan Woulofen]

Stephan watched her closely as she picked up her glass and walked for the window as she began to talk all about her desired business. At first she was playing around and avoid the point of discussion until finally she worked her way to it. Staring at her as she looked out the window he studied her curvatures and such and only when she turned did he look into his face. Giving a smug smile he watched as she sat and then continued, finally getting to the good part.

As she finished speaking he didn't say anything for some time as he refilled her glass along with his own. Well there wasn't really any need to get her drunk considering she was very open to telling him what business she really desired. Making sure to touch her hand as he had poured her wine for a mere moment he sat back and watched her closely, taking a sip from it before speaking. "I see...so what do you plan on running? Drugs, stolen cargo, slaves, weapons, or something else?"

"You said you weren't all that bad, killer, or such, but surely you are getting yourself into some very shady business here. As your business is legal you'll be dealing with people who are less than legal as well." Looking directly and deeply and hard into her eyes he wanted her to realize this. "That is why I believe you should hire some bodyguards, shady characters, who will protect you and your company. This is becoming a larger burden on me than I had hoped and its gonna take a larger chunk of my assets."

Stephan was trying to be much more shadier and hardline than he really was, he simply wanted to see how she would react, everything was a game to him anyways. Getting up from his chair with his glass of wine he walked towards her and offered her his hand. "Join me by the window," he said knowing she would agree as he was paying for everything she would have. As she joined him he stared out the window and spoke to her yet again, but not as friendly and nice as before.

"Your enterprise I believe is much riskier than you believe, I am going to need something from you, much more than what you have offered thus far. Surely there must be something more you can offer me," he said being very serious, very very serious.

[Sakura D'aron]

Sakura smiled some as he served her another glass of wine but she only toyed with it as she listned to him then laughed. "No no, nothing like that. No slaves, nor drugs nor anything like that.'' she said amused. ''You've missunderstood somehow.'' She said quietly as she blankly looked into her glass of wine.

Sakura frowned as she continued listening to Stephan. "Mr. Woulofen, you must be completely missunderstanding the whole point here. I dont see how any of this should be such a burden to you at all other than financial. And I am not taking more than we've already agreed on. And I wont be needing bodyguards right away. You see, I intend on keeping my business very legal until it has been settled and is well balanced and brings in a comfortable profit as well as a good and legal front. It isnt until after that that i'll be doing what might be considered illegal.'' she said matter of factly

She was about to continue but he'd offer to join him at the widow and as much as she would have loved to refuse she did not purely out of gratitude and politeness.

It was then that her temper rose and the only sign of it was in her eyes. For they had gone from a softly blue to a dark and cold blue. She turned to face him, ''Mr. Woulofen, I know what I'm getting into, this is not something i thought of this brightning when i woke up. It has be thought over and over, for a few eras if you must know. You are thinking it is riskier than it actually is. Yes i know it is risky, but with all due respect, I will be the one taking the risks. Like i said, you'd be nothing more than a financial parter and that is it. Your only part on this will be providing what we agreed with and recieving your share of the profits as agreed.'' She said coldly. "And unless you tell me what else you want from me, there is really not much else I can offer.'' She said and walked over to the table and placed down her glass of wine and turned to look at him.

"My business will be mainly legal transporting goods, buying and selling, just like any other sea merchant. Every now and then when the occasion arises, I will go treasure hunting, and artifact hunting. What can i say? I like adventure, and if that happens to be a bit shady, then so be it. You've missunderstood my business for something else. If anything, it might be distantly related to piracy in a small way. But other than that, i assure you, it will be mostly legal. Unless i have the opportunity at something else weather it be legal or not, so long as it provides the thrill of it I'm all for it.'' She said still in a cold voice and took a few steps towards the door.

"So either we have a deal or we dont. I've made an agreement, I told you what my business is really about both, legal and illegal sides of it. Yes you've been very kind, and I am most grateful for such kindness, but do not try and toy with me Mr. Woulofen, I can promise you, it is not easy to toy with me. I usually know what i'm doing, especially when i've taken the time to think it and plan it out. Now if you wish to call the deal off, it is ok with me, simply inform me and I'll be on my way.''

[Stephan Woulofen]

Stephan watched every action and reaction she made, no smiles, cold stone face was all that she got from him. Now the real Sakura was coming out, she had acted so hard and tough before, but she really wasn't, her business wasn't even as shady as he had hoped it would be actually. But, he was glad to know her now and her personality. When it came down to it she was good hearted, he knew it before, but now it had been confirmed. Everything was a game to him.

"Of course we have a deal," he said as he walked over to the table, refilled her glass of wine and carried it over to her. Looking up at her as he offered it he smiled, "A test, that was all, sorry. These are my crowns at stake you know, however I do believe they will be in the hands of a worthwhile partner." He could understand if she was alittle ticked off at first for him being such a jerk and saying such things, but she had to understand seriously how much he had invested, 100k plus.

"You should guts there, I like that, a strong, powerful, moral, and dedicated woman. I have no doubt that my money is well invested," he said as he finished his wine. Much alcohol consumed he was alittle more than loosened up, but he had drank so much he could hold his liquor well. "Will you stay? I would like to get to know you better, business purposes of course," he said and gave a apologetic smile for what he had done. Offering her his hand politely he smiled, "You are quite a mysterious woman, that interests me, surely you'd wish to know more about me as well?"

[Sakura D'aron]

Sakura glared at him coldly. She didnt like being toyed with, tested, or tried. But she did understand his side of things. It stilled angered her though. Only she knew to what extent her 'shady' business went. She saw no real reason why Stephan had to know every single detail of it. The way she saw it, it was bad enough she had to have some one else's help, it would be even worse if that some one would feel with a right over her and her business and what she did or did not do with it. And so she refused to let any one person know every single aspect of her business.

"I dont like to be tested in that manner Mr. Woulofen. I do understand your position. But it is your choice who or who not to make business with. And usually, one doesnt agree to a business deal until after one considers that person worthy or not. Not the other way around.'' She said firmly.

Sakura silently listened to his last remark and raised a brow. She wasnt so sure about her being moral, but if that's how he wanted to see her then so be it. "Well Mr. Woulofen. I dont know what else there is to talk about...business wise of course. '' She said ironicly. '' And about me being misterious...I make it a habbit to let people know only what they need to know about me. If there is anything else you dont know about me Mr. Woulofen, I assure you, it isnt anything that you need to know. And I know what I need to know about you. I see no reason for taking it any further, business purposes or not." She said with as even a voice as she could manage. She was more angry that she let show.

Sakura let out an irritated sigh and walked over to the window turning her back to Stephan. She did not want to part under such conditions. Still, if she'd had it her way, she'd at least attempt breaking his nose for testing her the way he did. But she kept her temper in check for the time being and kept silent.

"What else do you want to know about me?" She asked still keeping her back to him.

[Stephan Woulofen]

Stephan could feel Sakura staring right through him, if looks could kill, he'd be dead. Looking at her with eyes that had been confused more than once he broke a smile, "I do believe with my money I can question at anytime," he said taking down the smile. As she passed him to make her way to the window he continued to face the door, realizing that he had screwed up more than once so far. What was he to do now, could he really save this situation?

As she asked her final question he turned and asked her sincerely, "If you don't want to stay you can leave, nothing is keeping you here besides my desire to get to know you better. I'm a politician and so I like to know the story behind a person, I'm sorry if I am dwelling too personal with you. But, I do assure you I am neither a hard critic nor does anything ever leave my lips."

"I do understand your anger, but should you really hate me? If you hate me so tell me, attack me, get it over with. I am a man, human, I make mistakes, but I assure you that my tactics were genuine, sincere, and never meant to offend you personally. But please, if you feel necessary, attack me."

Walking over to the table he looked at her back as she stood there by the mirror. "I'd much rather drink and talk though, but there is much you don't know about me. I am not a simple politician, nobleman, nor businessman, I am also a warrior and very skilled fighter. I started as a mercenary and worked my way from the bottom up, I have seen much in my life." Standing by the table he raised his glass and took a sip, oh how he hoped she would attack him.

[Sakura D'aron]

Sakura turned around and glared at him, ''Money or not, you have no right to questiong anything you want and at any time you want!'' She said angrily. "It only entitles you to asking anything that is directly related to the business. Anything else is out of your reach Mr. Woulofen." she said as she turned around to the window again.

Sakura frowned, she some how seemed to have a knack for getting involved with politicians. Weather it be business or personal. So far, she'd much rather deal with a business situation than a personal. She very much still remembered her last encounter with the half elf that was partialy responsible for her being the way she was now. Shoving the memmory aside she smirked.

"Mr. Woulofen, I may suffer from an ill temper, sharp tongue, and impulsive. But I am very much capable of handling myself. This is a business matter, and I am fully able to keep it a business matter in as proffesional a way as possible. My attacking you would not only be unwise, but out of line. You havent given me cause enough for me to attack you, and so I wont." She said evenly.

Sakura then smiled amused, ''I dont hate you at all Mr. Woulofen, I hardly know you enough to even hate you or otherwise." She said quietly then took in a deep breath and let it out and turned around to face him and smiled. ''If it is drink and talk you want, then it is drink and talk you shall get. It is after all, the least I can do for such a kind person is it not?'' She said half sarcasticly. She could be accused of anything, except of ungrateful. And so she would indulge him for the momment for it was harmless enough.

Smiling she walked over to the table and served herself a glass of wine. "We are all, more than meets the eye Mr. Woulofen.'' She said lightly and sipped her wine.

[Stephan Woulofen]

Stephan didn't say anything the whole time she squawked at him, he was really enjoying this, but didn't want to piss her off more. Sitting before her, not worrying of an attack as he didn't think she was a danger, he took a sip of his wine and let her go on and on and on. As she sat he smiled, "I do believe the alcohol has done us well, don't you think?" As he sat there and looked at her he found himself for the first time wanting her. Actually he had hoped she had attacked, but the strength in her anger and ability to blast him with uncontrollable emotion was amazing. He really was enjoying it oddly enough.

Sipping his wine he didn't speak for a few moments and instead stared her down as she did him. "I guess it would do me no service to say how beautiful you are, correct?" He was jesting knowing now was not the time, but he hoped to make her smile or laugh as he smiled. "So, do you have any weapons training or combat training at all? You surely don't look like a threat physically, but you never know," he said and smiled. Making sure the wine kept flowing he hoped to loosen her up much more, make her happy and make her willing to tell him anything. A woman of her stature surely couldn't hold liquor that well.

"So, what drives you so much that you decided to get in this business? The adventure, wealth, danger, or a combination of all?" Keeping eye contact with her as they drank he wanted her to stare into his deep blue eyes, he wanted to try whatever to get him to take at least a slight liking to him. He hated the tension.

[Sakura D'aron]

Sakura smiled coldly. "Actually, I havent had that much to drink so I dont believe it has done anything to me'' She said simply, fortunately for her, she was used to the drinking and could manage more than a few drinks before making a fool of herself. Also, she knew when to stop drinking.

Sakura chuckled lightly, and decided to ignore his comment about her being beutiful. Unfortunately for him, most males said that wether it was true or not. "I have basic training yes...nothing too advanced'' she said stiffly, she hated the fact she wasnt more trained in combat, and she hated even more having to admit it. 19 and you've only had basic dual blad training Sakura...for shame! She told herself ironicly. But quickly shoved the thought aside. She at least knew she had common sence if anything, she know how to pick her fights.

Sakura blinked at his last question, she couldnt help but truely smile then. "One of the reasons I want to be a Sea Merchant is because I love the Sea.'' She said softly and smiled thinking about it. "I lack both the experience and the skill to be a pirate for the momment, so being a Sea Merchant seems well enough for now. It at leat will keep me out at Sea often enough." She said and smiled. ''And well, wealth really has nothing to do with it, if anything it's the adventure of it all that drives me to be what i want to be.'' She said and took a small sip of her wine then placed it back on the table and bliked just then looking at him and raised a brow. "That's about it.'' She said not know what else to say.

[Stephan Woulofen]

Stephan enjoyed her chuckle, he'd much rather see her happy then pissed off at him again. However, as she explained her little training he was surprised, he would have thought more of her, but he was wrong, very wrong. She still however seemed to be a capable fighting, she had a fiery fierce fight about her. He'd so like to see that in more ways then one for sure. "Well, I am an expert swordsman, and if you'd let me I'd be glad to train you in a few techniques," he said with a smile as he continued to look into her eyes.

He liked the fact that adventure drove her and nothing much more than that. She sounded much like a younger self of him, he was at a time simply adventurous and seeking danger, but not anymore. Now he was looking to settle down for good, possibly even hanging up his sword. "I was much like you once, seeking adventure and danger, but I've pushed my luck way too much, can't be lucky forever," he said and smiled. He laughed alittle and continued, "I have more stories than a man twice my age, but they'd probably bore you," he said with a smug smile.

Sitting up in his chair he let her get a better view of his shoulders and upper chest as they pressed against his tight silk shirt, loose when standing, but as he sat it fit snuggly against it. He made sure to draw her attention by placing his hand on his neck acting as if it was stiff and damning it. The games had continued, he was losing, but he had not lost yet, he still had his looks and power to back him up.

[Sakura D'aron]

Sakura smiled brightly at his offer for training. It was one of the few things she so wanted. Training was becoming so hard to get and combat training she always enjoyed. And she couldnt help but be happy for such an offer. But she said nothing about it and kept on listening.

Sakura silently listened to him and smiled, ''Nah, I dont think it'd bore me." She said truthfully. She blinked as she noticed him tending to her neck and then sat up. "Oh you must be tired, if you want to get some rest, I'll be out of your way then.'' She said thinking he was worn out and probably wanted a good night's sleep.

[Stephan Woulofen]

Stephan could see her smile at his offer but yet she didn't reply and let him continue and continue he did. Glad to hear that she didn't think it'd bore her he decided on his best story and was about to begin as she noticed him rubbing his neck, but took it in a way he had hoped she wouldn't. "No no, I'm fine, just a sore neck, I just arrived today and the horse ride was rough. You wouldn't happen to be good at massages would you?" He smiled and laughed alittle, it was more of a joke than actually being serious.

"Now, my story. Actually this is my favorite story cause its what got me started to where I am today. Lets see, 6 patterns ago I believe, time has gone fast, there was the Port Alyxandrya War. It came from nowhere and I had just entered the city and all hell broke loose. So there I am, walking down the street at one point, and then next thing I know skeletons are running at me in all directions."

"So I did the only thing I could, I busted some bones," he said with a smile, "I couldn't even begin to guess how many I took out. But, the worse part was the civilians, I couldn't protect them all, but I remember this one young boy, he had been running from a skeleton, tripped, and was about to be killed when I stopped the blade and took out the skeleton. Wouldn't you know it at the same time a skeleton was about to strike me from behind when a rock hit it in the head and it turned, long enough for me to take it out, who saved me? The same boy I just rescued. Of course, he never saw the arrow, but I did at the last minute as it came from the rooftop. Fortunately, it only brushed me, but I got one nice scar for it," he said and smiled.

"So there I am, hacking and slashing, saving people and so on, and then I run into his horrible black beasts. I'm fighting it and my blade goes right through the damn thing, next thing I know it stabs me in the heart, but I don't die, and next I know it disappears. Talk about being lost and confused, I thought I was dead," he said and shook his head. "I consider that one of my lucky moments, thousands upon thousands dead, city on fire, guards running everywhere, and what do I get for it, not only the Star of Anna but the love of the city, and to think I had just come to visit a friend," he said and laughed.

Looking into her eyes he smiled, realized he had been talking way too much and brought up the training idea again. "What do you say, how about you let a war hero train you? Tomorrow morning, I'll give you a lesson or two, what do you say?" Smiling he took a sip of his wine, he was really enjoying her company, much more than he had the Andares cousins. There was something about her and her race that enchanted him so.

[Sakura D'aron]

Sakura chuckled and shook her head, "No actually, I dont think i've ever given a massage'' She said and laughed. She never quite gave any one the chance to get close enough to do even a simple massage, but she knew Stephan was only being funny so she said nothing more and silently listened to his story.

After he was done telling his story she simply smiled. It had actually be an interesting story, and then she wondered just how old he was. But did not ask beacase he started talking again.

Sakura again, could not help smiling happily at the offer of a little training. Not being able nor wanting to refuse she nodded smiling, ''Ok, I could always use a lesson or two.'' She said lightly.

"You've had quite the life. And about you pushing your luck well... I think most of us get our time. We can only try and make the best of what time we have, and then comes a day when the time to settle down comes, and if you did all that you set out to do, you get to live knowing you accomplished what you wanted and there are no regrets. Wich leads to a peaceful life when you're ready to settle down.'' She said and smiled staring blankly at her wine as she spoke.

[Stephan Woulofen]

For some reason he was brought back to the massage, maybe it was the pain in his neck, but whatever it was it came back. "Never given a massage?" He laughed lightly, "Well, in my travels I picked up a few techniques from a couple of places, should you need a massage you know who to ask. Actually," he said cracking his fingers and smiling brightly, "I'd be honored to give you one now." It was late, alcohol brought more happiness than usual, surely if she declined she would only take it with humor and smiles and laughs.

As she accepted his offer of training he could not help to hide a bright smile, "Good, I'm glad you have accepted. I'm sure you are a strong skilled fighter, maybe you'll even show me up," he said and laughed lightly. "Yeah, there is a time to settle down, I'm getting near to that, start a family before I can't and regret it, but it will be hard to leave my old ways of adventure of course," he said and smiled. Lots of smiles tonight.

"I do believe the decision to sit, drink, and chat was a good idea was it not? I'm greatly enjoying our conversation," he said as he rose from his seat and walked for the window. Looking out he smiled, "We both seem to like this window or the view do we not." Pausing he rubbed his sore neck again, "If I granted you 35000 crowns, do you believe that would be enough to get you where you want to be?"