No violent reaction came as the man had been expecting. Instead, those tense shoulders dropped in some mix of disappointment. A sigh pushed past parted lips. The roll of those amber eyes off his drink and up towards the speaker was as slow as molasses in December, finally sticking onto the offending lips. His own curved ever so slightly downward as he watched them move before lifting to meet Ace's gaze. Dane looked as interested and enthused as a wet cat; he hadn't found the man's description of him very appealing nor endearing. He was sick of being called out at every damn hole in the wall that he tried to stuff himself into. What was it with these lowlifes? Better question, what was it with him that made him easy to pick out to every half brain with a chip on his shoulder?<br/><br/>With a deep breath, he sat up straighter and just looked away. He didn't intend to dignify Ace's question with a response and that was clear both in the lofty expression and posture. He swiped his drink up and brought it up to his lips with a certain air of disdain. It was one that clearly stated that this man had nobility, be in through breeding or schooling and Dane had the features to match. Something about the sharpness of his cheeks, the cut of his jaw, made him seem so much more arrogant than he really was. His expression naturally flat-lined into something that looked aloof and it only worsened the more annoyed he became. Right now, he was hitting at least a nine on the 'You're not good enough to be speaking to me' scale. There was no doubt that Ace could push him to a 10 if he continued to test him.<br/><br/>He huffed into his glass to make things crystal clear, tipping his head back and swallowing another mouthful while his mind chanted a mantra in his head. He wasn't worth it. He needed the coin. He couldn't pass the job up.<br/><br/><br/><br/>Caine's boots were already tapping at an even pace across the floor. He'd considered, for a moment, leaning back and watching it play out between them. Sort of an early glimpse into the game to come. His better judgement had won out over his amusement, in favor of not watching one if not both of them walk away from the job should a fight develop.<br/><br/>"Well, well, well," came the roll of a silky voice over a silvery tongue. It carried a slight rasp to the end, one that didn't fit well with the well enunciated words. A smile curled onto his lips and Caine lowered his head, opening his arms as he made his way through the path lined with tables. "Gentlemen," it was then that Dane looked over his shoulder and towards the spectacle the man was presenting them with as Caine continued. "I'm having a rare moment of prophesy. We've got here," he looked to Dane, "a sort of ethereal clarity. I see two men, one come for the coin. Drudging through the dirt, he's here for the outcome. The other," he looked towards Ace, " has come for the fun, the accolades to be had. His eye's on the true but immaterial prize. And, a third." He put a hand to his chest. "Come drawn to both out of some dark and dingy corner, but why?"<br/><br/>He let the cliff hanger drop as he reached into the belt of his armor, pulling out a piece of rolled leather. With a snap of his wrist, it unfurled into the small note. Both of them would recognize the little 'contract' that had been given to show they'd been chosen for the job. With a waggle of it, he began to roll it back up with a widening smile and brightening eyes. He broke the show, rolling it back up.<br/><br/>"Well, at least I hope. Or else I have just made a very, very great fool out of myself. Not the first time-,"<br/><br/>"Nor the last, I'll venture." Dane's voice matched the dull look in those eyes. With a heavy sigh, he reached down into the front of his armor, lifting his head up and out of the way before he pulled out the contract though he kept it rolled as he slapped it on the bar. Caine's smile widened in amusement before he looked to Ace, lifting a brow.<br/><br/>"Come now, don't keep me hanging in such suspense. Was I right?" Those icy and crystalline eyes locked on his, head lowering as if to say 'be honest'. At such a close distance, there was something about Caine that just seemed to demand attention. It was written in the intensity of his stare and the curve on his face. Even the way he stood, stance with one foot forward toward him. All of him aligned to create a very...unique character. Caine was one of those individuals who walked into a room and stole the floor from bards and barmaids alike. If he so pleased, that was.