Book 1, Part 3, Side Thread: As Iron Sharpens Iron (Kjersti, Temperance, Ada)

[Fletcher]

Kjersti Volden

AC: 20 | Fort: +9 | Ref: +7 | Will: +9
HP: 36/36 | Focus: 1/1 | Hero: 0/3 | Perception: +7
Conditions: None

---

It was nearing a week since the Silver Ravens had scaled the ramshackle hideout of the Red Jills and confronted them for their recent, more bloodthirsty deeds in and around the Nursery. Their willingness to talk once their demagogue had been dispatched spoke volumes to their sense of self-preservation, but did not guarantee that they would move from one master to another - even if the other was more a movement for good. In all honesty, it is a pleasant surprise when Laria tracks down Kjersti and presents a young tiefling boy bearing a note from Ada. Sending him on his way with the generous payment she has promised any of the young ones who bear their messages, the farmgirl collects Temperance from her work that evening - as requested by the letter - and they head out on the trek across the city to Redroof.

Surprisingly - or perhaps not? - the Raven pair were not directed to return to the Jill's territory, but rather a warehouse at the very edge of the Yolubilis River, within sight of the bridge. On first inspection, the place seems to be locked up tight - likely due to the recent closure of the harbor - until they find a side entrance that has been left open a crack, a small shred of crimson cloth blocking the latch from fully engaging in the door. Once inside, a trio of evenly-spaced skylights cast pools of ambient afternoon light into the building, only one of which is situated where it strikes the ground rather than stacks and pallets of crates. The smell of timber and dust is heavy and a soft, repetitive 'ting' sound carries down from the high roof. All manner of markings are on the crates they maneuver through, lending no clues as to what this place specializes in storing. In that central pool of light stands a very striking, bowler-hatted figure leaning against a single crate in the center of the warehouse floor. Ada's long legs are crossed over casually at the ankle, and that menacing firearm is prominent on her hip. One hand is thrust into a pocket while the second is the source of the soft sound - thumb-flipping a silver coin over and over again into the air.

Their approach does not startle the cool woman, who continues her rhythmic toss until they are close. Kjersti opted to leave the Falco's hammer at home, which she imagined drew a narrowed glance from Temperance, but felt it important to arrive in a much more sensitive manner compared to the first time. Primarily meaning no Guy. Secondarily, only her words. It remained to be seen whether her tiefling companion had such discretion, though the tall redhead had not insisted she follow suit. Remembering the look between the two, bringing along at least that handcannon seemed as much a valuable talking point as anything.

Thumbs thrust into her belt, Kjersti strolls up til it feels 'close enough' and then stops. "Evenin' Ada," she says, simply.

 

 

[ripleycat]

"Evenin', Kjersti. And friend. I never did get your name, gunslinger."

The outlaw nods at her guests, flipping and catching her coin one more time before sitting herself down on one of the many stacks of crates. It's a motion of trust, though she can still draw her gun readily enough.

"Peace offering?" There's a fancy decanter of whiskey, and a matching set of crystal glasses sitting nearby, fine enough that it's obvious Ada didn't buy it. "Help yourselves."

"You've honored the truce, which counts for a lot. State the Jills were in, you probably could have run us all to ground, but you let us be. Now, not stepping on each others' toes is a good start, but you've got grand goals and high hopes, and from what you said a week ago, it'd be in your interest to get us all tied up in your crusade. Now, I've got no love for your Thrunes and their devils, but Scarplume talked a big game too, and look where that got her. Business end of a breechloader."

"I've got no interest in being someone's cannon fodder, and that goes double for all the spooked cats I've got to herd to keep the Red Jills together. But you seem like sensible sorts, and I'm more than willing to hear you out. So how do we meet in the middle, here? What arrangement lets both our bands profit, and maybe even walk away to enjoy that profit?"

[Toraka_Stormheart]

Temperance - Sheet

---

AC: 20 Fort: +7 Ref: +11 Will: +7

HP: 35/35 Rebel Points: 4/3 | Perception: +7

Ammunition: 20/20 (40 Reserve) | Alchemy PreparedAlchemical Cartridges: 20
Tanglefoot Bag: 1 | SpotterKjersti Volden | ConditionsNone

---

"You didn't. Temperance." The nephilim's measured voice broke the silence as she slid up beside Kjersti, her serious demeanor only broken up by the height difference between the two Ravens.

She did object to Kjersti traveling Unarmed but relented. For all appearances, she herself looked the same, thanks to a certain ring, but Kjersti likely knew that at least the new pepperbox was stowed and readily available.

Glancing at the decanter, Temperance would lift a hand, politely dismissing the offer as she found some crates to lean on, tail flicking under her coat as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"This one can lay out how Jills and Ravens can interact. I'm here for insurance. And personal. Assuming you still use flint on your hammer, and was curious if you'd be inclined to switch to something more reliable"

 

 

 

Show Mechanics

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[Fletcher]

Kjersti Volden

AC: 20 | Fort: +9 | Ref: +7 | Will: +9
HP: 36/36 | Focus: 1/1 | Hero: 0/3 | Perception: +7
Conditions: None

---

Not one to turn down the offering of good will, Kjersti steps over and pours a measure into one glass, then hesitates over the second when she sees Temperance politely decline. Perhaps that is for the best, that one of them stay one-hundred-percent clearheaded. A soft clink of the crystal stopper finalizes that. Then following the cue from the other two, Kjersti settles in on a crate with one leg tucked up in front, supporting her arm and the glittering liquid swirling gently in hand. Her bright blue eyes watch Ada speak attentively.

"First, ain't no one gonna be fodder, long as I have'a say. We are precious few, all'a us, an' sendin' people to foolish deaths just ain't good math. An' more importantly, don't sit good in m'head or m'heart." She glances over the Temperance, who has ever kept her mindful of their limited numbers and limited capability. Hope is good, but if it outpaces practicality, they'll fall off the tracks. "If lives ain't got value, we ain't no better'n the ones we fightin'."

"So how do we meet in the middle, here?"

"Disruption," Kjersti finally says after a brief pause. The Jills and their capabilities had been on her mind since the moment Ada agreed to meet with them. The recent escalation to bloodshed told her that her spooked cats still had claws and were no strangers to violence, even if they had been goaded on by a scarier and more violent leader. They could handle themselves, though it seemed clear from their interim- or new-leader that they were still a group out for spoils. "The uniforms an' the armor suits are easy 'nuff to spot - an' avoid - but it's them Citizens been the worst, cause they just slither 'round among the good folks. You find them sorts, pick'em apart the way you reckon is best... maybe do it in random parts'a town... an' you're doin' us the service of keepin' 'em nervous while also keepin' whatever y'find..." She can almost sense the look going to come from Temperance. "Less it seems important to share or... I dunno, return to an owner. But orders, secrets, letters... we got a friend jus' dyin' to read everythin' he can get his mitts on. Takin' the wind outta their sails could take a lotta pressure off... well... everyone."  

The idea of letting the Jills keep everything they find might seem foolish or drastic, but Kjersti hopes that it is more a show of trust. While it didn't seem like these Citizens would be entrusted with truly valuable gear or wealth, it was certain that they were running their own neighborhood-level rackets and pinching at the common people around them. Perhaps not the biggest scores, but maybe safer ones which might appeal to the Jills right now. And hopefully, if they found something truly important to the cause, they might share it.

"I also ain't proposin' to be tellin' y'all what to do, less it's somethin' direly important to us all. But I sure would like t'hear from y'all periodic-like. Brag on your hauls or jus' shoot some shit..." She gestures over to her tiefling companion. "Exchange ideas with a kindred soul, mayhaps."

[ripleycat]

Ada's pistol looks to have come from Alkenstar with its owner, a beautifully, confidently made device of polished brass and steel, but it is a flintlock, the unwieldy "standard" mechanism for most firearms, regardless of where they come from.

"More reliable than... No, a cap-lock? I could count what I've heard about on one hand and have fingers left over." Ada doesn't try to hide her enthusiasm for Temperance's proposal, or her weapon. She bounces up like a giddy schoolgirl. "Probably be the only one in all of Cheliax. Could I... take a look?" She unholsters her weapon and offers it to Temperance butt-first, in momentary trade.

In her excitement, Ada hasn't completely forgotten Kjersti. She mulls the proposal over in silence for a moment before granting her approval with a nod. "That's fair." Ada seems a bit surprised that Kjersti's first offering is so even-handed. "I'm used to hard-nosed bartering. You're serious about all this, ain't ya? We can pick at the Citizens, sure. Everyone needs a hobby, right? They come into neighborhoods where they're not welcome too easy, these days. Most of the Jills will be happy to remind 'em to be afraid again."

"We've got a couple of hidey-holes like this where someone can lay low when things get hot. Nothin' big, but you're welcome to 'em. Not much else to offer on our end, 'sides thievin', but if we come across a dagger to stick in Thrune's back, we'll pass it along. Lots of things that'd be useful to you that a fence won't take."

[Toraka_Stormheart]

Temperance - Sheet

---

AC: 20 Fort: +7 Ref: +11 Will: +7

HP: 35/35 Rebel Points: 4/3 | Perception: +7

Ammunition: 20/20 (40 Reserve) | Alchemy PreparedAlchemical Cartridges: 20
Tanglefoot Bag: 1 | SpotterKjersti Volden | ConditionsNone

---

The sidelong glance to Kjersti from Temperance was brief, but not admonishing. Despite her conservative tendencies towards asset management, the opinion of the proposed arrangement seemed fair. The blonde made a mental note to keep an eye for opportunities to pass along, should they arise.

"At least two, now." Reaching into her coat, the nephilim seemed to produce her own sidearm out of nowhere, the three barreled pepperbox held deftly in her hands. Immediately, the differences between the two arms are clear, pointing out the style differences between Alkenstari and Chelish make. Forgoing brass, Temperance's own featured longer barrels and additional metal fittings in the handle, not to mention the differences in the action already indicated, the hammer a blunt end and the ignition ports narrow for the percussion cap to fit onto.

Pointing the barrels down first, then opening the hammer to show that the firearm wasn't primed, Temperance offered the momentary trade in kind, taking the Alkenstari pepperbox with her other hand. Fingers gently passed over the engraving work, eyes taking in the compact design, the octagonal rifling, the subtle differences in the barrel rotation. Interest and appreciation filled her expression as she looked up at the gunslinger.

"Astounding. So this is Alkenstari make...truly an art form. I thank you for letting me see and appreciate this piece."

 

 

 

Show Mechanics

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[Fletcher]

Kjersti Volden

AC: 20 | Fort: +9 | Ref: +7 | Will: +9
HP: 36/36 | Focus: 1/1 | Hero: 0/3 | Perception: +7
Conditions: None

---

As the products of Alkenstar and Cheliax change hands between the two excited (at least, she figures Temperance is excited, but hiding it) gunslingers, Kjersti laughs softly with a smile and addresses her drink for a sip or two, bright blue eyes only for the blonde tiefling as she does what she does best. While her own accent doesn't come across so differently from the Alkenstari woman, the redhead is absolutely clueless about this craft that the two women share - only that those irons are loud and dangerous. It comes briefly to mind that it doesn't seem like much of a thief's weapon...

"Serious as sin," Kjersti confirms with a nod, finally looking over to Ada as her offer is addressed. "Ain't no reason t'be stickin' folks with bad deals, then assumin' they be willin' to do favors, y'know? Same thing with tryin'a pull y'all outta your element. Same as usin' the right tools for the right jobs. I ain't sneakin' 'bout with that hammer'a mine like y'all can." She continues to watch the two as the exchanged weapons are inspected, critiqued, made better for the conversation. She wondered about the rest of the Jills, especially the young ones she had seen. Wondered all of their stories and... what kind of mess she might be getting them into by helping.

"Speakin' of sneakin' 'bout..." she muses, remembering the sort of symbolism of them dropping their reds when Scarplume was killed. "Dunno how frequently y'all made a thing about callin' signs an' whatnot, but y'might consider ditchin' the memorable colors - if'n y'haven't already. If y'all make your way abroad in the city, be all the more confusin' to the Citizens when they're just picked on everywhere." If they traveled beyond the Nursery and Redroof in general, it would certainly do wonders to protect the places they operated.

"As for hidey-holes," she repeats the word with a bit of a smile. "Much obliged. Maybe Temperance can write down those spots for future 'mergencies?"