Ronald
*The salty breeze of the misty waters crashed up again imposing stone docks. With a cliff face like drop running it's way along the edges. With stone staircases cut into the large stone blocks leading down to smaller wooden peers with various ships tied to the posts. Ships as large as first rate 4 decked galleons moored in specialised bays, all the was to small sloops and schooners that rocked on the light waves that treaded this far. The wind was moderate breeze blowing southeast. There was countless small venders talking amount eachother trying to sell various goods. Ranging from fancy rugs to dried salted fish fresh from the ocean. There was a small girl who was resting on the edge of the stone wall, starring into the deep blue waters not so far. This was a deep water port and Issotha knew this... The safety of the city was a nice comfort. She kicked her legs back and forth, she had 6 tails all fluffed up and curled around her waistline. She wore some very expensive fur coat with clean red silk. Issotha wore a fur hat with a large feather tucked in the side with a flower slightly dried clipped next to her ear. She sat there humming to herself. Quietly nibbling on some bread and a half eaten portion of dried fish. She held a docking permission form on a leather belt. A ship owner, she seemed undisturbed on her small ledge. The sun was mid day, perhaps a little past noon, the cloud cover cast a deep shadow in the ocean. Issotha finished munching on her food and took a small silk cloth and wiped her mouth, she placed what remained next to her and simply starred out into the deep blue sea.*
Cindy
**"And what the hell is THAT supposed to mean, *Elf?*"**

A deep, morbid growl resonated across the port, breaking through its bustling midday rhythm. Several idle prattle between crowds promptly ceased, turning to regard its source; a tall, dark-furred canine beastkin. He's tall and lean frame was covered in an inconspicuous raven cloak, only exposing his angular facial features and digitigrade lower legs. His glare was focused upon a middle-aged wood elf captain that he was arguing with, currently standing his ground in front of a formidable galley. 

**"Exactly what you heard. No filthy *Mutts* On *My* Ship. I don't care about your coin or your destination,"** The elven captain retorted, which prompted a snarl from the beast, so scornful it felt like searing the air around him. More and more curious stares were roused towards the argument and for a moment the canine gestured as if to procure something under his cloak. However, the fearful eyes of a wood elf child peaking behind the captain at the galley's entrance caused him to stay his hand, lips pulling back to bare his fangs briefly before turning to leave with a 'tsch', cloak waving behind him.

Disgruntled, the canine padded his way to escape further prying eyes towards the more humble side of the port, where some of the smaller ships were docked. Soon, the crowd would lose interest and go back into minding their own businesses. Arguments that echoed across the entire port weren't a rare circumstance, after all. His brisk steps halted a small distance from the ledge Issotha had seated herself, pulling a flask of strong-smelling amber ale from his hip, uncorking it with his teeth and spitting the top out before taking a vigorous chug. 

*"Damned knife-eared pricks. There goes another chance to set sail today..."* He muttered in frustration, all the while trying to drown it in liquor.
Ronald
*Issothawould hear the distance arguments. She had fairly good eye sight, since she was still fairly young at the age of 180 years old. Watching the small argument break out she sighed. It was time to get back to the ship. It wasn't very impressive, a small schooner. It had only 2 slanted masts. However the small bodied ship had some impressive rigging and sails. Probably a very fast ship in the right winds. The hull was a black pain with a dull gloss running across the span of the ship. It was one large white glossy stripe running across the ship with small slits for bows and crossbows to shoot from. There was some gold and silver lining bearing the stern by the captains quarters.*

*Issotha trotted over, the ship was poorly crewed and had some weathering. She gave the ship a quick inspection from the safety of the peer. Before running back up in a gleeful jog. Running up the stairs almost falling due to her small hight she began to make her way around street level. However she struggled to navigate due to her short hight. Standing only 1.6 meters tall or no more then 5 feet and 3 inches she was quite small. However she was definitely beautiful, still this did not stop her from trying to get to the foreman's house to requisition some paperwork for her upcoming trip to Gachtuni. A port city to the east.*

*As Issotha trotted her way she would glance over trying to see between the crowds. As she got closer she heard him gruntled "Damned knife-eared picks. Voguer languages she might add. Suddenly there was a smack, as she blindly ran right into what felt like a impassable wall of fur. It was the man that argued with the elf not so long ago. She stumbled back in concern and a bit of fear. She was quite small and frail.*
"I'm so sorry sir, I didn't mean to."
*She said in a soften yet shaken voice. She seemed closed and definitely energetic. But tried to remain calm as she glanced up at the towering being.*
Cindy
Even while indulging in his alcohol addiction- one of the far too many vices he possessed- the canine's attention was no less focused. His gaze regarded most of what the docks had to offer, from boats to trading stall to people. And while his keen sense of smell was preoccupied with salted sea air, fish and several brands of liquor, some smelling far more pleasant than others, his hearing peaked upon anything of interest the idle conversations among crowds had to offer.

Of course, the talk in most people's mouths had been the same over the past month. The fall of Mistmoore keep, one of Ulnoor's oldest and most formidable forts, as well as rumours of the black beast that orchestrated it all. News of the fort crumbling down in an arcane blast had spread like wildfire across the Silnari empire, and if prejudice towards beastfolk was insufferable before, now it outright paranoid. Upstanding elves feared that their own beastkin slaves would murder them in their sleep inspired by this event. And regardless of the consequences in disposition that might have wrought, the jackal was never more satisfied with his handiwork.

His train of thought came to an abrupt halt when the kitsune girl bumped into his back. Luckily for him though, she was petite in frame and light enough to not throw him off balance; but startle him all the same. His ears perked up immediately, coarse fur on his head standing on end as he turned with an irritated grunt. For a brief moment, the glare in his mismatched eyes was nothing short of mortifying. His left eye was a seething scarlet, iris intense as a summer flame, while his right eye was a pallid silvery-grey, lacking a pupil with a vertical scar across either side of it, cold as death.

.



He stood an entire foot over her, enough so that he had to arch his muzzle down to regard the girl. His expression all but immediately softened upon seeing her so shaken. "Watch your step next time," He snarled lightly, though his tone lacked the morbid aggressiveness from the previous argument. The distinct scent of booze in his breath might had played a part in it.

He didn't fail to take notice of the girl's rather elegant and exotic clothing though. Expensive outfits were far from rare in the city, especially among the ever-haughty elves, but not as fitting on the docks, on a small and seemingly defenseless oriate. "What's a kitsune doing in this hell-hole anyways?" The canine asked with a drawl. "You a tourist or somethin'? Trust me, the elves greatly oversell the beauty of their lands, *Almost* As much as they do for themselves."
Ronald
*At first Issotha was scared shitless, her pale blue eyes dilated slightly. She was definitely in a sense of fear. As she was a tiny twig compared to the canine. She took a small step back so she could more easily look at him. Issotha was curious on why such a creature was here. They were normally enslaved in these parts. She didn't believe it was moral. If she could push reforms she would but her days of power ended over a century ago after her mother's death who was a influential figure at her time. Still she lost a lot ever since she committed "Treason". Like minded left a stain on her trust to her country. Issotha took note of the strange clothing he wore. He was clearly an interloper to this city. Perhaps from the far eastern lands that's she used to visit before well.. It happened.. For a brief second she drifted from reality before the chatter of the surrounding people snapped her to reality.*

*As the man talked Issotha listen, this place was far from a hell hole. Well at least in her times it wasn't. It had been in decline for a long time now. Maybe she was blinded by the luxuries provided off the backs of the poor.*
"I- I am not a tourist!"
*She said in a underlying tone, clearly a bit snappy at the statement. Perhaps she was a bit on edge.*
"Trust me the sane sights get boring after a century or two. Even the so called Elven beauty isn't so beautiful. These clothes did cost my a fortune, twenty or so gold if you ask me."
*She seemed less afraid now and more just down in general. Perhaps she was just in a down right poor mood. She removed her hat and placed it on her side holding it with one hand. Her ears twitched briefly as she listened in on the many sounds that filled the air.*
"What are you doing here 'eastener'. Seems like you have you're reasons to hate my homeland."

*She said curiously, Issotha was definitely on the closed doors end. She wasn't trying to be rude. Perhaps she just held a deep grudge against the outside world. Maybe some traumatic event forced her mind into this closed like state. No matter, her clearly distracted mind was one overstatement to this. She tried to put on a faint smile as she spoke but to no avail.*
Cindy
"Didn't think you for a native," The beastkin admitted in an almost apologetic tone. "Too fuzzy and petite compared to the pole-proportioned bastards that think they own the world." 

He eased his posture with a shrug, briefly averting his gaze to survey the surroundings once more, like ensuring no further onlookers. For one reason or another, the canine seemed overly cautious and alert with so many elves around. He shifted uncomfortably before leaning back against a nearby cobblestone wall, covered by the shade where his raven black cloak reflected no light. 

"I reckon 'southerner' would be a more accurate assessment," He corrected in the same heavily accented drawl, his voice a deep, gruff growl one might expect from a sentient canine. His expression had split between one of mild bemusement a subtle, predatory grin, his intense mismatched eyes judging the kitsune's every word as if measuring her value. 

"Though I've been around these parts long enough to despise them. And frankly, I'd be impressed if you gave me a single reason to *Not* Hate the self-righteous bastards that call themselves 'high' elves and treat my kin worse than feral animals." His composure faltered at that, the disdain obvious in his words. Though as quickly as the spiteful glare in his eyes flickered, it went away, fixing the position of his cloak with a light sigh. "I've got some business in Pinnacelia to attend soon, but as you show, no captain will take me there. Can't even tell if they fear me or the scrawny pirates more. Hmph," He grumbled in frustration. "Cowardly bastards, all of them. They won't even accept my coin and my word to defend their ship from assailants. And I can handle myself in a fight better than their entire crew combined."
Ronald
*She grabbed a small box near by. A wooden box that seemed to have been used recently. She grabbed a silk cloth and unfolded it. Covering the box for her to sit on without ruining her coat.* "I would take you, but I don't like the open water" *She said in a dull voice. It clearly bothered her. Something about the sea got to her. Something deep inside. That tore a hole that choked on crushing waves of the sea.*
"I have to go to the foreman's house to get some paper work for a transaction. Then load a few things, after that I can take you south and you can hit a ride north. I owe a ship, well it's barely a ship really." *She said as her tail swayed side to side. In a sense of lightened moods. She quickly glanced down and fixed her fur coat which had begun to slip down. Pulling it up with a gentle pull. In the corner cover by her coat was a fine rapier, a long thin blade wrapped in a fine cloth with the name Aravalur engraved in the hilt. She seemed uncomfortable with a long blade constantly poking her rear, sitting down must be a bother for her* "So why exactly are you heading to Pinnacelia, that's north of where I'm heading. A bit of a stones through into deep water..." *She paused on the deep water, quickly snapping back to reality she glanced back at him. She was curious but she definitely felt the need to learn more. She stood up and fixed her bottoms, then wrapped her fine cloth up into a nice folded napkin and placed it in a sleeve.* "We can talk while we walk. If that's ok with you." *She said as she motioned to start walking. The foreman's house wasn't so far, maybe a kilometre or two walk. Still shouldn't take more then twenty or so minutes to get there, and they would be back within the hour. Issotha stood a few feet, she waited for him to get his stuff ready. She was a small figure. Easy enough to lose in a small crowd. She could easily be a ticket out. How ever she seemed reluctant to travel there for some reason. Still maybe she could be convinced.*
Cindy
Her words *Did* Get a budging reaction out of him, one between amusement and surprise. "A woman captain, and a kitsune at that, in a sordid port like this, amongst elves... Fate must be playing a very crude game at me," The beastkin muttered, carving a vague smile at the corners of his muzzle. "I can offer the coin and fighting strength you need for a trip like that, as I've mentioned. And I *Am* A man of my word." 

The sheathed rapier on the kitsune's hip did not elude his notice and neither did her signs of obvious fear, however brief that might have been. Devil's always the details after all, for anyone that keeps their eyes open to *Truly* Sees. "As I said, I've got some business to settle there. Been a gladiator in one of their arenas before, and earned enough favour to get what I need. Most folk there is my kin that barely escaped slavery or worse. Some resorted to more illicit activities, but if they're faulty enough to try and board us... Well, they knew the risks," He stated matter-of-factly, confident and unfettered in tone.

He nodded at the girl's request to walk together, his arms crossed behind his back, padding his way through the crowd. He weaved between people with precise, meticulous steps, like a predator stalking prey. His footpads made naught but a single noise, even when treading upon weathered wooden planks. His gaze rarely needed to meet the kitsune's by now. Even if she did get lost in the crowd somehow due to her small frame, he had her scent. And his sense of it was keen enough to discern it for miles with little effort, as befitting of any member of his species.

"Any particular reason you wouldn't sail all the way there?" He asked, even if his voice implied he already knew the answer.
Ronald
*As they walked she shrugged at the notion. She paid a hefty some of money to get her ship, well over market value. As well as previous connections she made thirty years prior.*
"Well money speaks, paid way more then the ship was worth. Plus having connections in places is always a added bonus. If you look on the inside this place isn't actually half bad. Despite it's glaring flaws." *She said rather coldly, and oddly enough she was definitely more hard to smell. Her body sent was almost non existent. An odd quirk. Still he would be able to smell her strong enough to trail her by a few meters if need be.*
"Not exactly, I used to duel a few years back, well ok a few decades back. I've held onto it ever since. Been quite a while since I've left the safety of my homeland." *She paused to think about his statement as if something about it bothered her. She spoke up in a slightly sympathetic tone.*
"I don't exactly agree with slavery, but this country has gone above its honour for me in its more recent years. Maybe if my mother wasn't killed reforms could have been pushed a century ago." *She said towards his notion of slavery. It was clear she did not like the terms here. Issotha did receive some racial neglect due to her status and being a woman, it was fairly light, just bothersome. Especially around slavery. But she still held strong with her birth place at least. His mention of the deep waters or her perception of such seemed to bother her. She loved sailing and loved the ocean, however she held a deep deep fear of the deepest of waters. A mere thirty years ago they took her only true friends life. She wondered if he ever thought of that. They were nearing the house. She was trotting along comfortably.*
"It's a long story, why don't you ask the ocean what happened..." *She said at a slight pause as she walked up to the entrance of the foreman's house. She walked over and knocked on the door, before leaning back.*

"Stay here, I'll be back in a few minutes." *A few seconds later and the door creaked open as a old elf opened the door welcoming her in. The house was a small shack on the edge of port right near the larger galleons. It was made from a mix of cobble stone and old mortar. A very old house. So old the windows had started to droop. And the roof was off placed by a slight degree. As the minutes passed muffled arguments could be heard. The words couldn't be made out. She yelled at him followed by a slam, she came out slightly ruffed up with the paper work.*
"Sorry for taking a while..."
*She had slight scuff marks, nothing serious but it looked like she had been strangled briefly. Maybe she wasn't on good terms.*