The fact that Doryn enjoyed the teasing as much as she did only made her chuckle. They had been dancing around this subject for months now. At first Hani had merely been her sweet friendly self, offering the handsome Captain her services only as a waitress. Her father seemed to like the Captain, which made it easier for Hani to slip occasionally into a mild flirting tone. She knew from experience that men like Doryn would tip generously when complimented on their skills and looks. Her father was well aware that she did this, and only admonished her when drunken men wanted more. After all, he did not want his precious daughter hurt.<br/><br/>As time went on, however, Hani and Doryn developed a business arrangement of sorts. He asked her questions of the gangs and crime bosses in the City, and she cooperated when she thought it was safe to do so. In point of fact, she had helped him to locate and bust a human slavery ring that she, as well as many of the merchants and business people in the city, wanted out of there! It was only the major players who got too devious and deadly with their dealings that Hani would find out things for Doryn and pass them on. She had to be careful, as if it was found out her role in his cleaning up of the city, her life would be forfeit. The fact he paid her for this information only made it sweeter. Her flirting became like a game, he was not willing to mix business with pleasure. Perhaps because it would leave him vulnerable? Whatever the case, he would never do more than casually offer her compliments and innuendo. He was cool and coy, letting her flirt and returning the playful banter without following up on it.<br/><br/>Of course this only made it a challenge for Hani, to see how far she could flirt before he gave in and at least gave her a kiss. Something she often dreamt about. She enjoyed the chase, and felt at times he was thinking of doing just that, only to back off and make excuses. He used Meerika or one of his other bodyguards to provide him with an excuse to leave. Business calls, he was needed elsewhere, etc. It was to the point now that Hani would tempt him even further by offering the massage as she did tonight, fully confident he would not do anything but sit back and enjoy it like some tomcat who loved affection. She fantasized about managing to get him alone sometime and....well...perhaps she would not go that far. But it was fun to dream about!<br/><br/>Tonight however, he wanted to relax and enjoy his wine and his new friend. Now where had he and Ethirdir been hanging out that they shared the chase of women? Oh, that high society that Hani was not privileged to enjoy. Not that she wanted to. She found the nobility in most cases were so haughty and stuck on themselves that she would not be caught dead at one of their parties! Talk about boring! That included most of the Elves. However, some of them were not so bad. In fact she admired the Elves for their honesty and integrity in general. What she had not expected, was how charming they could be.<br/><br/>This Elf, Ethirdir, was not only a handsome specimen, but he looked at her with a certain keenness of expression that indicated he was interested in more than her value as a tavern wench. This intrigued her! Not only did he smile at her, he encouraged a further indulgence by offering to help her sell her goods. This was good! It gave Hani hope that she could get rid of the cursed gem before the previous owner could find out it was missing.<br/><br/>It was only because she knew of the gem from a mutual friend who was not going to be involved anymore than she could help. Britta was a servant of the Lord Berenholt, and his cruelty and criminal doings made him a target for Doryn some day. But for now, the dangerous bloodstone was out of his study safe and replaced with another red crystal. At casual glance, it would appear to be what it looked like. Until the Baron wanted to use it, then it would be very obviously a fake. It was a dangerous item to have, and in the wrong hands, it could cause a lot of grief. This was why Hani removed it from the Lord's possession.  He was powerful enough without it. Though he was not a Mage, he knew how to use the gem to influence the minds of his enemies. A real Mage could have leveled the city with the focus power of the illicit gem.<br/><br/>Doryn made some remark about a gang of thieves, stealing from the wealthy. Now Hani knew there were several such thieves working the city. Mostly petty thieves who stole simple things like jewelry and gold, or precious antiques and paintings. She used to be one of them! The fact that she had stopped going out to steal due to her father reminding her that if she was caught it would harm not only her, but his business and welfare. But that would not stop her if she thought there was something that needed removing from someone evil, like Lord Berenhold. She had taken a huge chance to do so, and it was only because of her skill that she got away with it. It was Doryn's casual remark about a single thief hit a little too close to home!<br/><br/>Hani smirked at Doryn, "I would tell you that the gang of thieves is real, but you will have a hard time catching all of them. Where one is put in the dungeons, another moves up to take his or her place. But they are crafty and subtle, only the poorly skilled and unlucky get caught." It was her way of letting him know that she was not about to admit to being a thief, not in front of witnesses anyway. That he would suspect her in any case would be a stretch, as the information she passed him had to be picked up somewhere. Not all of it would be bandied about in the open in the tavern. If he wanted the information she provided, he would have to allow her to gather it as she could. If that involved sneaking around in dark places unseen, well, there was hardly any other way she could get some of that without higher risk to herself. She was not a harlot, and that vocation was one of the most dangerous. Not all men were kind and generous, some were outright cruel.<br/><br/>"As for a bodyguard, I hardly think I will need one to meet with Ethirdir. It is strictly business, of course. I will not bore you with it further, Doryn." She chuckled, then sipped her wine. Changing the subject, she added, "Is this one of your wines, Doryn? I do think the reds you produce are very tasty. Though I prefer the lighter white wines or even the blush, as they are a bit sweeter. I know my father is very happy to serve any of yours. They always get plenty of compliments."<br/><br/>Hani was not going to neglect Ethirdir, and turned to him with a coy smile. "So you are a merchant? Do you deal in antiques and fine art? Perhaps an occasional precious gem? How intriguing! Yes I would love to meet with you and show you what I have. It will have to be tomorrow. Where can we meet in private? I do not want to show this to just anyone. I trust you as Doryn vouches for you. I have never known an Elf to be dishonest. With the exception of some Half Elves who are not as honorable. Would lunchtime serve? I can meet you here and we can travel by horse to a private location. That will give me time to get it out of hiding." She was certain that this would be a business deal. She knew that Elves were smart enough to know what the gem would be worth.<br/><br/>Whether Ethirdir was a Mage or not, she could not tell. Though it was probable he knew several. Elves were particularly astute at the craft of Magic. Those who indulged in it were some of the best in the world. What she truly hoped was that he could arrange for the sale of the gem to a responsible buyer. Someone who would put the cursed thing in a safe place, far from the evil ones who would use it to cause chaos. To her, this meeting would assure her that he would give it the careful handling it needed. If he was not aware of how rare and dangerous such a gem was, then she would have to explain it to him. Thus why she wanted a private meeting. It never occurred to her that Doryn might become jealous, though it did make her smirk that he might realize that Ethirdir could steal her away from him, due to their ongoing competition.<br/><br/>