OOM: Garyn's First Assignment

[moonandstar]

[OOM: Garyn finally arrives in Balmora.

What he finds there isn't exactly what he expected.]

Garyn storms into the bar, his expression grimmer than usual - a notable accomplishment for anybody who knows him. He doesn't even stop when he recognizes that this isn't the Eight Plates. He isn't in the mood to pretend to be surprised by it. Right now, what he wants is mazte. A very large jug of it.

In time, his glare subsides, and gives way to a thousand-yard stare. You'll find him at the bar, drinking deliberately, if not slowly.

Comments

[last_kallig]

Ibani feels the emotional chaos as Garyn storms into the Bar. That's....not a good sign.

Sometime around when he reaches the thousand-yard stare stage there's a familiar face sitting next to him. "What needs stabbing and can I help?" she asks with a grim smile.

[moonandstar]

An unbidden smile crosses Garyn's face.

"Sounds tempting," he says. "But it would probably do me more harm than good this time."

He takes a drink. He leans a bit closer and lowers his voice. This isn't something he'd tell anybody else.

"You were right. I've been drafted into the Emperor's secret service. The man who received the package is my handler. But it's worse than that."

[last_kallig]

Ibani is rather pleased with herself for being right, for once.

"Worse in what way?" she asks, her own voice low. Ibani will be mentally entertaining some horrible options until she gets a little clarification.

[moonandstar]

"The man who's supposed to be my handler," Garyn says. "I don't think he's...trustworthy."

[last_kallig]

"Well, he IS a spy," Ibani replies with a small smile. "Deception is their stock and trade."

[moonandstar]

"Not what I mean," Garyn says. "When I found him, he was shirtless, his eyes were bloodshot, and he reeked of skooma. If that's deception, he must be a very good actor indeed."

He shakes his head and takes another drink.

"He didn't tell me what my mission was. Told me to find a cover identity and come back to him when I'm ready. But I'd bet the clothes off my back it's a suicide mission."

[last_kallig]

"I would think he would have been killed or removed from the post if that was truth and not deception, but if the change is recent his superiors might not know of it yet."

Not a pleasant thought.

"If it is a suicide mission, we'll think of something," she reassures him. "What are you pondering for your cover identity?"

[moonandstar]

Garyn rests his hand near hers. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he says, "and worry about it when it happens."

He knows they can both count on each other, now. But Imperial espionage is a dangerous game no matter how powerful you are.

"I think 'mercenary' is as good a cover as any."

[last_kallig]

Ibani moves her hand to cover his. "A sensible plan."

Ibani grins. "And one you've quite a lot of experience with, should make it much easier to maintain."

[moonandstar]

"It gives me an excuse to be traveling, if need be," Garyn says. "No one will ask why I don't stay in the same place."

He smiles. "But then the thought occurs to me that I ought to get myself tied down somewhere."

[last_kallig]

Ibani nods. "And a reason to be headed toward trouble, which I expect you will be."

Somehow, she doesn't think Garyn's work as an agent will involve paperwork or sitting and watching a target.

Ibani tilts her head in curiosity. "Tied down in what sense?"

[moonandstar]

"Oh, some post in another city they'll have trouble dragging me away from," Garyn says. "A town guardsman, maybe. Or, gods help me, a bureaucrat. Can you imagine? I'd like to see them try untangling me from that."

He pauses for a moment, meaningfully. "You know, someplace quiet. Very, very far away. Where the sun sets over the sea, the sand is warm, the wine is free, and clothing isn't allowed."

Garyn's valiant struggle to keep a straight face ends in defeat.

[last_kallig]

"Not an bad idea, though I can't picture you as a bureaucrat. A settled position would make it difficult for them to just send you off on whatever errand they like."

Ibani's eyes sparkle with repressed laughter as she realizes that what comes after the pause is a joke. When his straight face fails, hers does as well, and she laughs.

[moonandstar]

Garyn was going to continue - something about an army of mudcrab servants - but he's already cracked himself up.

He exhales contentedly and leans in to kiss her on the lips.

"I'm glad you're here."

[last_kallig]

Ibani feels quite content herself as she returns the kiss.

Ibani's cheeks color a little at his quiet sentence. "I'm glad I could be here."

[moonandstar]

They're silent for a moment. Just as well - Garyn once again finds himself struck dumb. Instead he puts an arm around her.

"And, you know, I'm...here, too," he murmurs.

Then, smiling, and a little louder. "You know, in case you need someone stabbed, too."

[last_kallig]

Ibani likes the feeling of his arm around her, so she returns the favor, putting an arm around his waist.

"Thank you, Garyn." For being himself, for trusting her, for being willing to take a chance.

Ibani chuckles at that last. "A very kind offer."

[moonandstar]

"I do mean it," Garyn says. "Whatever your Empire throws at you, or your enemies set before you. I'll be at your side if you need me."

His brow raises for a moment as he recalls something. Then his smile resettles.

"Just remembered I've brought you something."

[last_kallig]

"Thank you," she replies, her voice catching a little from emotion she would probably deny. "I'll gladly stand by your side too, if you want me there."

Ibani tilts her head in curiosity. "Did you? May I ask what it is?"

[moonandstar]

"Better if I show you," Garyn says.

He tilts his head toward the back door.

"Let's go back to the lake. It'll be more impressive by the water."

[last_kallig]

Ibani grins broadly. "Now I'm really curious."

Thankfully the trip to the lake doesn't take long and it's rather empty out here at the moment. Nobody to get in the way of the demonstration.

[moonandstar]

No, indeed. Nobody at all. They are, as far as anyone can see, alone. One would almost think that's exactly what Garyn had in mind.

He is still cradling the jug of mazte with him when they arise. Funny thing - it's just occurred to him that it's big enough for two.

He sets it down for the moment and begins rummaging through his pack. He pulls out two stoppered vials from near the top.

"Remember when you asked me about how alchemy works on my world?"

[last_kallig]

It is indeed big enough to share, which would probably be wise. Unless he WANTS to wake up hung over again. (To be fair, that worked out pretty well for him last time.)

Ibani peers at the potions, tempted to reach out and examine them through the Force.

Ibani grins. "I do. Are those made with alchemy?"

[moonandstar]

"They are," Garyn says. "I made them."

He holds the vials at eye level.

"Alchemy works by the attraction and opposition of like and unlike things. Inside everything there exists a spark. When two things with like souls come together, they release that spark within them and create magic."

He smiles, pausing just long enough and no longer.

"This is a mixture of extracts from a violet coprinus fungus and a marsh ampoule pod. Ask me what it does."

[last_kallig]

She smiles broadly when he pauses, remembering their accidental sharing when she healed his hangover. Two things with like souls coming together indeed.

"What does it do?" she asks, happy to oblige him.