Mila's First Outing (Completed)

[Mila Glade]

Mila knew how to improvise, and so did he apparently. "It wasn't my fault!" She sounded sufficiently bratty. Then she took his hand and got up, giving one last dramatic scowl at the drunk, who was apologising profusely.

She allowed himself to lead her, making her way as instructed.

When they were inside, she turned to him with a glimmer in her eyes. "That was fun! What'd we get off him?"

The half-elf hoped it would be enough to afford the services of a healer. So far no one had been interested in helping her once they found out he had nothing to offer. Weren't healers supposed to heal? Did the whole world revolve around silver and gold? It was a naive question, to be sure.

[Artemis Black]

He clapped her on the shoulder gently, very aware she was weaker than she appeared. “You’re not the wettest fish I’ve seen. That was good work,” he said as he moved to lean against the wall. After a moment of fiddling with the coin purse he added, “Though you’ll want to avoid using the helpless brat too often. It draws a lot of attention and I imagine with regular food you’ll be memorable.”

Artemis shook out the purse and felt the pleasing clink of a quarter-silver and two coppers. “Well, given that this was a teaching moment, I’d say we can work with this,” he said, rolling the coins in his palm. “So next if food, get you some of your strength. Look at your throwing arm, and get a sense of what is keeping your pa down besides age.”

“Come on, there’s a fish fry place a few streets over. Good ale too,” he said over his shoulder.

[Mila Glade]

Mila followed him, but not without protest. "I need to get a healer to see my pa!" As she spoke, her stomach rumbled loudly, as if in protest. She frowned. "Maybe something to eat, but no throwing or anything until I find someone who will see him. Everyone turned me away cos I ain't got no coin. Now I have some, someone will see him!" She said that more in hope, as some of the people in the alchemists and such had not been so inclined to talk to a scruffy looking half-elf.

They stepped into a place called 'The Gutted Wife', Charming name, she muttered, but didn't mind the atmosphere of the place. Her father had been a guard in Ajteire and they tended to be a loud lot. This kind of place didn't daunt her.

"I'll just have something quick," she said. She was chewing at her nails, impatiently. All she could think of was her father at home, alone and so ill. "Then we find someone who'll treat him. Or I will. You've done enough for me. So, thank you for that." She was grateful to the man, and she added him to an list in her mind of people she would repay, if ever she could. "What's good?"

[Artemis Black]

Artemis nodded at her continued insistence that she run off to get her father aid. “Wouldn’t do to have you collapse in an alley and freeze to death halfway to the healer’s,” he said, sliding into the chair against the wall. “The fish is the best you’ll get, soaks up the ale well too.” He raised a hand toward a passing wench and gave her his most brilliant smile. “Two fish for us, and an ale for me if you’d be kind enough.” The woman returned his smile and paused for a moment to take Mila’s drink order before nodding as she continued on her way to deliver mugs.

“So, we get your pa some attentions, hope that goes well. Interested in something to pay for food the day after next, or think you’ve got this yourself?” Artemis asked as he leaned into the table and gave Mila the same smile he’d given the wench. “I’ve got some time to teach and things that need delicate fingers if you’re interested.” Artemis began to tap his fingers on the table to a rapid unheard tune.

[Mila Glade]

Mila looked at him and sat back. "Those kinds of smiles don't work on me, mister." She said, though her eyes had strayed to the woman who had taken their order. She looked back at him. "I don't need training, I need work. Pa can't even wash himself nowadays, and I gotta get him food and a regular healer to come take care of him, someone who doesn't hate elves and can work for coppers." She shrugged. "If you can get me that, I'll do whatever."

When the woman returned, Mila dived right in to her food, not waiting on formality. She was starving, and she wasn't here to impress anyone. "What's your story, anyway?" She asked, between mouthfuls. "Why you helping me? If you think I'll drop my pants for you, you're gonna be disappointed."

It wasn't as if she looked quite the catch in her current state anyway. She looked as poor as she was, and then some. Men had tried to take advantage before, but before her ma had left, the Kerasoka had managed to teach her a few ways to put a man off when he was intent on trying something. Before she had abandoned them, anyway.

[Artemis Black]

Artemis smirked at her rebuke, but hadn’t missed Mila’s wandering eyes. “A shame, will have to keep you from Deb,” he said quietly. He listened to her talk and even watched her devour her food with some small amusement. “Try not to inhale it, doesn’t get to the stomach any faster.”

He started in on his own fish, enjoying bites between sips of ale. The flavors blended perfectly and the cool ale took the edge off the burn of the freshly fried fish. “I can give you work, even something regular enough. On the healer I’m not certain. The best one I know is most certainly elf friendly and might be convinced to work for something besides coin. Though she’s likely occupied with other matters, I can reach out to her.”

“As for your pants,” he motioned with his cup of ale. “I’ve got friends that could likely get you out of them faster than you can toss a knife, but that’s not my interest in you. As I said, I’m bored, doing well, and see a bit of young me in you, hunger and all. Besides, I’m due returning some good for all the pain I’ve been handed.”

He took several appreciative bites of his fish before he continued. “If you want another just catch her eye. See what your smile does maybe, the food’s cheap enough. When you finish, I’ll go with you to find a healer, make sure you’re not getting hustled. Then we can talk later about how you can earn more coin. Eventually maybe I’ll give you my story. For know, eat your fill.”

[Mila Glade]

"I didn't know there were any elf-friendly healers in the damned city." She sulked. She had made short work of the food, and even shorter work of the ale. She had a strong stomach and had been practically raised on the stuff.

"So you're just a friendly thief who wants to help out another from the goodness of his heart?" She drank the last of the ale and placed it down, pushing her plate aside. Little food for so long had caused her stomach to shrink, she had eaten less then she usually did. "Let's say I believe you. I'll work for you if you take me to see this healer, today. If I can get pa help, I'll be the best girl you ever had working for you. I can pick a lock, simple ones only. I ain't gonna brag. And I know how to stay out of sight. I'm fast, and I'm smart."

She scratched her head, then pushed her lank hair back over her shoulders. "This healer you spoke of ... sounds too good to be true. Friend of yours?"

With the food gone, Mila was near twitching in her seat. She wanted to go, but he was so laid back, so calm. She knew she should be too, it wasn't smart to show her desperation but that was just it, she was desperate! "Ready when you are." She said, impatiently.

[Artemis Black]

“There’s a whole batch of them I imagine, just not the sort of thing you’ll find wandering the street,” Artemis said as looked at her cleaned plate. “And I never said anything about goodness, but sure let’s go with that.” he said flicking his fingers as if brushing the particulars aside.

“We’ll go to my friend today, worst case the folks there can point us in the right direction.And I can show you how to work a more difficult lock. Still want to your toss though, maybe have you fire some bolts.” He gave her another grin, this one less designed to entice and more to show amusement. “You should be careful what you promise a Black. I’ve had a lot of girls working for me and we always collect on promises.”

“As for the healer, she is often too good to be true, and I would hope she’s a friend. Though things are perhaps more complicated than you imagine.” He watched her practically vibrate out of her chair for a moment before finishing his final piece of fish and draining his ale. “I’m always ready,” he said rising from the table with a wink. He slipped past the wench who’d served them on the way to the door and passed the woman the coppers to cover the meal.

Once they were outside he looked Mila over and rolled his shoulders. “Think you’ve got enough in you to hop up high? Lot faster to skip over a few streets if you can keep up,” he said bouncing on his booted heels.

[Mila Glade]

Mila felt pleased that they were finally going, but she was also grateful for a full belly. "Thank you for the food ... which I helped pay for, I assume." She said, hinting that she hadn't got a copper bit after their joint theft.

When they stepped outside, Mila took a deep breath. The world wasn't so bleak with ale and fish in her stomach. When Artemis issued a challenge, glancing up at the roof of the tavern, it didn't take the half-elf a second to know what he was suggesting, and she actually smiled. "Let's go," she shrugged.

Growing up in a tree-city for 40 years, one knew how to climb. One had to know how to climb! So, despite not being able to outrun the more experienced thief, she at least was able to keep up with him. In fact, she marvelled at how he so expertly navigated his way. His movements reminded him of the Kersoka scouts, flitting from branch to branch with the ease of cats.

It was exhilarating, and she even let out a laugh as she took a leap across the gap of an ally, landing with a roll and was back in her feet in a heartbeat. In a way, she needed this, as if letting go of some of the tension that she felt. Up here, there were no distrustful stars, no snooty looks at her dirty clothes ... she felt a sense of freedom.

Then, he came to a halt, standing on the very edge of a building like a bird perched on the slimmest of branches. She moved to his side. "You didn't do too bad." She said, giving a half smile. Looking down, she saw an large tavern with a sign boasting a white stag; the words in Eevish. "The White ... something." She said. Her elvish had grown rusty. "This where that friend of yours is at?"

[Artemis Black]

As Artemis led Mila along the rooftops he marveled at her speed and efficiency. Typically people stumbled or slipped as they followed him in his domain. Yet, there she was, weakness and all, following him with only minor effort. She’d even let out a joyous laugh. When they finally came to a stop he smiled at her, a friendly and open smile, as he settled his place on the shingles. “I’m going to need to race you once we’ve gotten meat back onto your bones. And it’s The White Heart, or sounds that way to me at least.”

Artemis moved over to the side of the roof, looking down the building for the usual wall, drain, or pile of goods. “She’ll be here, or at least the folks who can get you some help,” he said over his shoulder. “Here it is, come on,” he said as he spotted the outbuilding he had used in the past. Once she’d joined him in the alleyway he gave her a quick once over. “You’ll do, be polite, if you know enough elvish to reply it’s probably not the worst idea, but don’t stretch for words.”

He walked up to the White Hart and pulled open the heavy front door, sweeping his arms to allow Mila in. Following in her footsteps he immediately bowed to the room. He was less stiff this time, showing a bit more flair with a movement of his arm. He’d seen a performer do similar and it just felt right. “I understand I am not to be here unescorted, but I have a woman with a desperate need. Is Almá Katarya available?” he asked.