"Ali the Adventurer. Ha! I am Eric Thorvaldsson... And I will pray that Odin watches over your journey. For it will be a great one." Eric smiled. He watched her go, then huffed cheerfully. He was in a good mood after the encounter. The blacksmith sang with his hammer and anvil for the rest of the day.<br/><br/>The Punch-Drunk Fool was in the common quarter. It was a well-known inn, but one that catered to both sides of the coin. The sign was painted with a motley fool, who's motif was a black eye. Songs and drunken voices came from inside the inn. It was happy hour.<br/><br/>Inside was a sight to behold. There were five dancers on stage holding each other's arms. All Human. All female. All dressed in fishnets, high-waisted skirts and busty shirts. None of them were particularly attractive in the face, but as beer and coins soared onto the stage, it was clear no one was here to look at their faces.<br/><br/>There was gambling going on at several tables. Dice mainly.<i>If she favoured her luck (or sleight of hand), she could bet the coins she had and buy some better equipment with the winnings... </i>That could help tilt the balance of the labyrinth in her favour.<br/><br/>There were also other options in the inn. The bartender looked like a knowledgeable man, although not very friendly with his strict brow. He could be bartered or charmed for information pertaining the labyrinth. Who knew more about the city's rumour mill than the man who served half the population? At the moment he was free, cleaning a mug with a damp rag.<br/><br/>In the center of the room, a<a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.interviewmagazine.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F07%2Fimg-idris-elba_150324456486-763x1000.jpg&amp;hash=b72be3765de2266c87f7423aa8ad8bd6" href="https://www.interviewmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img-idris-elba_150324456486-763x1000.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">nobleman</a>sat. He was with a friend drinking and warming up to a game of cards. Still laughing from a joke as Alessi entered, his eyes glinted with cunning but softened as he saw her.<br/><br/>"Look at that woman." He said to his friend.<br/><br/>"Finest woman I've seen in some time, which means I'll be winning the next few games if you're already this distracted, Strand."<br/><br/>Strand laughed again, but he could not keep his eyes off Alessi. Elves caught his imagination like nothing else. He exoticised them in his mind, built them up as otherwordly. It likely had something to do with all the Human butterfaces in Knossos. He wore a pin on his lapel, it showed that he was a member of the political office here in the city.<br/><br/>Strand was a powerful man with many things. That often meant he couldn't take no for an answer.<br/><br/>He called over a waitress and spoke with her, then wrote and folded a note to be given to Alessi. The<a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dialteg.com%2Fphotos%2Fwhat_attracts_question.jpg&amp;hash=b58000999585c9a9af2be74b95bed538" href="https://www.dialteg.com/photos/what_attracts_question.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">waitress</a>took it and nodded, accepting the coppers she received for the service. She was average-looking and in this inn, she took all the opportunities she could get.<br/><br/>Olivia slipped behind the bar. "House red, hon." She told the bartender. As she waited for the drink to be poured, Olivia looked around to see if the nobleman was watching her. He wasn't. She was forgettable and that suited her fine. Olivia opened up the note meant for Alessi.<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 15px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(255, 255, 0)">'... You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, which means you must be new to the city, and with my luck -- not staying very long. Why don't you make a powerful friend while you're here? I can provide you with coin or favour for certain </span><i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(255, 255, 0)">services </span></i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(255, 255, 0)">rendered. If you're interested, head upstairs into the closet. I'll follow. It's the last door at the end of the hall, next to the master bedroom.</span></span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00"><span style="font-size: 15px"><br/>
Consider it. You can trust me. It's a very <i>special</i> closet, after all.</span></span><br/><span style="font-size: 15px"><br/>
"That red?" The bartender prompted.</span><br/><br/>"Oh!" Olivia exclaimed, snapping out of her daydream. She slipped the note up her sleeve and took the wine, smiling at him as she passed. Olivia made a beeline for Alessi.<br/><br/>"Hey. This is for you, from the gentleman at the table over there." Olivia nodded to the handsome, black nobleman. She leant in beside Alessi and offered her the wine. There was very clearly a note between her fingers. The waitress' nails were on their last legs of old, cracked red paint. Her eyes held Alessi's.<br/><br/>"Listen... I could do it." She nodded at the note. "For half of what he's offering. Read it, then come find me. Or don't. ... We'll make it seem like it's you in the closet. He'll never know the difference." Olivia smiled a little. She then went off to the bar to continue serving.<br/><br/><b>Once Alessi read the note, she had a choice to make.</b><br/><ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">She could decline the nobleman and carry on her business, which could lead to consequences.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">She could consort with Olivia and learn her plan, but that meant giving up half of what the nobleman would owe her.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">She could go up to the closet herself and earn the full amount.</li>
</ul>Strand was likely capable of accessing maps and city records, amongst other things. He was also rich. Coin would buy her equipment and supplies, which could save her life in the adventure to come.<br/><br/>Another option presented itself, which was both scheming and manipulative.<br/><ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Alessi could send Olivia up into the closet, then never split the nobleman's pay. Screwing them both over could lead to further consequences.</li>
</ul>