"As long as we know what's important. Fake dustmen main priority, Pariahs minor..." Garemello itches to ask a question about those in front of him, but without a sure way to ask about he stammers and finishes with a grunt in frustration.

Hexion shifted slightly underneath her robes, tilting her head ever so slightly under her hood.
She soon straightened herself, however, and when she addressed Grum, there was a tinge of a challenge in her voice.

"Forgive me if I sound callous, but these imposters you speak of seems to be of but small inconveniences. Have you done nothing to drive them out before?"

"You realize you're hiring mercenaries, right?" asks Sparrow. "We're.... well, I am a fiend and a killer for the highest bidder. And yet you welcome me into your district and ask for me to help. Seems contradictory at best."



"And while keeping your prices hidden sounds great to you, I need an actual contract to do work. And a contract requires actual terms, not vague hints at compensation. I mean no harm, but is this your first time hiring mercs?"



~SE++

Grum sighs and nods at Hexion. "It's a fair question. We have attempted to apprehend these imposters before but the process proves... difficult. They may not look much - comical even - but they are fast and agile like nothing I have ever seen. They use chaos as their weapon; when things begin to look bad they disappear into the crowd amid the confusion that follows them. Worst still the dustmen do nothing. They tend to their own and pretend nothing is happening in this district. We have a few warriors and mages here who could defeat the imposters but..." He trails off for before continuing. "Let's just say that they are not people whose services we can buy with coin and whose debt we would not wish to be in."

Mother Xero is visibly twitching as Sparrow addresses her and when he again brings up the matter of payment he jumps to her feet and storms from the inn howling all the while. "I will not be condescended too by a sodding child and addle-cove godsman to boot! Do whatever you want Grum! I will have no part in this madness! Filthy mercenaries! No better than sodding bloodcrows!" Even after she slams the doors shut behind her you can still here her ranting in the streets. Silent Brom frowns at Sparrow while Grum just sighs again. "I am sorry for Xero. She hasn't been herself lately - I feel whatever is effecting the people here is affecting her also. I will speak to her tomorrow and try to make her see reason." He casts a glance towards the door before remembering the question at hand. "Ah yes. The matter of payment. Very well - if you want solid figures I can give you that much. You understand that this is something of a long term contract yes? That you will be expected to serve your duty until such a time as the district returns, as much as possible, to it's old self? That said your payment will depend on both your being visible and friendly to the people here and taking your duty seriously. We're hiring you to act as problem-solvers not murderers. Assuming you can abide these terms I can provide an average of 25 gold a week as well as additional payments for dealing with major issues - consider that a bonus if you will. As mentioned you will also be staying here free of charge so you needn't lose any coin on those expenses. This will be adequate?"

Taking a long draught from the temporarily forgotten mug of ale in front of him, the scaley Doomguard spoke up, "So it isn't just Godsmen, Sensates, and mercs that have her all riled," He smiled another toothy grin. "But I intend to earn and be worth every coin of that stipend. Can't say about the rest of us, but we'll find out soon enough," The gold was more then some common berks made and that didn't come with bonuses.

"About seven silver a day, give or take," Sparrow mulls over the words out loud. "Not the worst pay one could get I suppose, though it is fairly low in the end. I suppose I could stick out a few days and see if it's all worth it. Guess I'll be taking that room key then."

~SE++

Bald Grum smiles widely at Sparrow, clearly relieved that the amount proves satisfactory for the halfling. Getting up from his seat he makes his way to the bar and, after a few moments, returns with two large iron keys in his fist. "While your here you will be staying in my private rooms - best in the Whispered Word I assume you. Each sleeps three people so you'll have to slit them as you see fit. When your ready simply head up the stairs at the back; rooms are at the end of the corridor." He hands both keys over to Sparrow.

Sparrow takes the keys and sits up on Ripper. "I'll be turning in then, I trust you'll have marching orders in the morning for those who stay?"

~SE++

"Very well," said Hexion, nodding to Grum. "I am here on behalf of my brethren out of friendship; There is no need to ensure my cooperation with compensation."

She then turned to sparrow, raising a hand. As the sleeve of her robe sagged, it revealed a silky, white hand, motioning for him to hand over a key.
"I trust we can agree to split the rooms by gender?"

Sparrow passes a key over to Hexion. "If you insist, though Claw and Talon won't be splitting from me. They're ladies, after all."

~SE++

"Just make sure your ladies allow me a full night's rest. Some berks just never get the idea that it isn't a matter of asking some spirit for spells and its over," Garemello said as he quaffed the rest of the mug.

His yellow eyes turned to Bald Grum, voice lowered as to avoid unwanted ears, "One last question, when is the best time for patrols? Is there any pattern to these dealings?"

"Hmm. If your looking to cover the most ground you would have to make a couple of patrols around the district each day; at the very least one during day and one at night. For the most part the troubles tend to happen after midday heading into the evening but that is by no means a sure thing- the barmies in particular hold no schedule that I can determine. The only thing I can tell you for sure is that the assaults in Rattling Alley all took place after dark so it may be worth heading there then." Bald Grum nods in the direction of the bar patrons. "They may be able to direct you a little better then I - the chant comes to me but they all see it first hand. If nothing else it couldn't hurt to mingle a little. Unless your too tired to share a few words that is."

"I'll see what they know, with some help please," Garemello said, the latter part sounding less like a request and more like a command to his new companions. "Either way I'm staying up for a while longer and it wouldn't hurt to keep a tab on my drink expenses while I mingle. Evening Bald Grum,"

With those last words he turned his eyes to the patrons of the bar, as Grum said one of them would likely know more and would be willing to share. However, they had to be at least not too many drinks in to be of use. He scanned the crowd for patrons who were not only looking there way, but capable of maintaining their posture, and maybe itching to say something, but nervous to approach.

Talon beats her wings a couple times and hops over to Garemello's shoulder and pecks him on his earlobe hard once before taking flight again and landing back on her perch on the back of an empty chair. Sparrow gives a small laugh and says, "You really shouldn't insult a lady, you know."

~SE++

Making a shooing motion with the hand on the same side of his scaled head as the bird had pecked he growled, "Noted,"

Garemello's eyes noticed a couple of interesting figures in the crowd, "I'm talking to the Gith making his way to the door, I don't think the human lass in the back there would take very kindly to my ways," He pointed towards the young woman sitting alone over the shoulder opposite of his pointing hand.

He stood and hastened his movements towards the yellow skinned man, one of a race that he had been introduced to within Sigil, a Githzerai. When he got within several feet of the man he called out in a voice loud enough to carry over any noise in the Whispering Word, "Gith! Perhaps you'd like another drink before running off?"

The Githzerai pauses for barely a second before shooting Garemello a scornful look and heading out of the door.

Seija responds to the offered payment. "That sounds fair enough. We've got a deal, as far as I'm concerned."

At their suggestion, she begins to move among the common patrons, attempting to find out as much as she can about current events

Sparrow stows the key and heads out into the crowd, still riding on Ripper. He leaves Fang, Claw and Talon to rest at the table.



~SE++

Ram leans back in his seat and enjoys his drink.