New Deals and Tattoos - Celina Zabinski

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Celina thinks back to The Patriot after their last encounter. What happened that evening left her stunned. The Patriot knew everything about her and everything about her fellow adventurers as well, or so it seemed. But what really and truly stunned her was learning that Sammy was working for The Patriot.

Sammy had been the one that alerted the Silver Vipers about her presence unintentionally. However, he had also selflessly made a deal with The Patriot to help Celina get out of her debt with her old gang. He did it for her and now he was trapped working for The Patriot. Celina had never had anyone do something like that for her. For someone to be so selfless on her behalf. She didn’t even trick him into doing that, he just did it. She couldn’t even imagine Ludwig doing that. Ludwig was not a person to be selfless. Sammy was, it would seem. Good, simple, and naive Sammy.

And Celina did nothing. She just stood there in her stunned silence, trying to process what this halfling had done for her as he walked away. Was there still hope for them?

After hours of thinking and going back over everything, Celina comes to the conclusion that she must talk to The Patriot.

—————

One evening, Celina makes her way over to the Red House. It almost has a haphazard look to it, like a child’s mismatched building blocks smushed together, hiding the true form of the original manor house underneath that probably had been rather beautiful once upon a time. As Celina walks in she spots Cluq sitting at the bar just like last time. Celina heads directly over and asks to see The Patriot. The young goblin girl gives the tiefling a once over, smirks, then leaps down from her stool, leading the way up the twisted, winding stairs to the double sliding doors of the same room they had met the Patriot in before. Cluq throws one last glance over her shoulder to Celina before sliding the doors open.
It was the same as the other night, only Celina was alone this time. The spot of light illuminating the centre of the room was bright and it still made it hard to see into the darkness beyond even with her darkvision. It was a clever trick. Celina could tell there was no one else in the room except the figure sitting on a wooden chair, her flamboyant hat with it’s pink feather the only hint at the personality of its wearer.

“Welcome, Miss ‘Zabinski’,” the Patriot says, gesturing for Celina to come forward. Her white eyes almost seem to reflect the glow of the light in the room but there’s no malice in them, just simple amused curiosity. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Celina grins, hiding the uncomfortable feeling she gets whenever she says her name. Celina walks further into the room, closer towards the Patriot. “Well, I just wanted to…. chat. You know, one on one after our last interaction. You mentioned you wanted me to work for you and of course, I am eager to help someone who has helped clear my debts. I am very intrigued to learn about my fabulous new employer and the ‘company’ you have. Would you have some moments to talk or is this a bad time?”

“Oh, you are not under our employ — yet,” the Patriot says with a grin.

She stands up in one fluid motion and struts over to the dark side of the room to Celina’s left. The Patriot drags another chair with her right hand as she walks back, coming right up to the young tiefling woman standing in the light. With a nod and a gesture, the Patriot indicates Celina to sit as she returns to her own chair.

The Patriot picks up the conversation as if she hadn’t stopped. “As I said, there is an opportunity for you to join us should you wish. But it is not a decision to be made lightly, Miss. ‘Zabinski’.”

Celina smiles again at the Patriot knowing that being here is both exciting and dangerous in equal measure. She sits down on the seat offered and begins again.

“My apologies. Well then ‘potential’ employer, with an offer so tempting let me jump right into it. Would you care to tell me more of what would be involved in joining? What would I be required to do exactly?”

“You run a quaint little Apple shop in Port Ffirst, right? Tell me,” the Patriot leans forward, her gloved hands coming together in front of her mouth, hiding her hungry smile, “what sort of apples do you sell?”

“My precious special apples. Of course…” Celina smiles back trying to copy the Patriot’s smile. “I’ve been freelance for a while now. So you’re saying I would do that type of work for you… exclusively? What about my shop?” Celina leans back on the chair and pauses for a moment before asking curiously, “Would I be working with any of your other employees?”

“Is there someone in particular you’re looking to work with?” the Patriot asks.

“No,” Celina blurts out immediately and far too fast. “I guess... I am curious about my hus-” Celina stops mid-way through that sentence, catching herself. “What I mean is- That halfling, what’s his name, oh yeah Sammy. That’s right, he works for you. Funny that. So it would seem he’s been working with you for a while now? Interesting stuff. What type of work does he do here? Similar to what you want me to do?”

The Patriot let’s out a soft, throaty chuckle.

“You know Miss ‘Zabinski’, I like you. You’ve got balls — or should I say apples,” she confides. The Patriot leans back as she continues, “Young Mr. Plumstead has been working with us for a few weeks now. Quite keen he was to join when he found out what we could do to help you. I’ve never seen anyone throw themselves into it as much as he has, except the Boss. Mr. Plumstead has had some growing pains, which is understandable when starting a new job, but he has adapted quite well. I think he may even pass the probation period with flying colours. He has that kind of face that others just wanna trust.”

Her white eyes seem to shine with amusement.

“But I must ask, why do you care? I thought you didn’t want to be with him? The poor man put up posters searching for you, for heaven’s sake! Yet you sent someone else to speak to him, telling him to back off. And he did.” She shakes her head, amusement and slight confusion written clear on her face. Celina cannot tell if it’s genuine or not though. “Then you suddenly have a change of heart? I hope you conduct your business in a much more consistent and professional manner than you do your love life.”

Celina is taken aback for a moment. She stares at the Patriot for a few seconds debating what to say before answering, grinning as she speaks.

“Well, if you must know, other people interfered in my life. They got involved and took it upon themselves to do things without consulting me. First with my friend talking to Sammy not knowing anything and now with Sammy… coming here. I am not really a fan of that. People thinking they can help me with my problems and thinking they know better than me. I am an independent person and I don’t like owing anything to anyone. It would seem Sammy is here because of me and I owe him a debt. So I guess I want to ask you what can I do for you that will make you let him go? I can’t work here knowing he’s here. You mention you protect your own, can you do that with him out of the way?”

Celina reaches into her bag and pulls out a plum. She takes a bite of it and continues talking while chewing. “Oh I hope you don’t mind me eating something. You know I love apples but lately, plums have been my new favourite snack. I skipped lunch today, so I’m feeling a bit peckish.” She pauses and looks towards the Patriot. “Oh, where are my manners, would you like one as well?” Celina quickly reaches into her bag again and holds out a plum.

The amused smile is still on the Patriot’s face but it comes nowhere near her eyes. There is a coldness in the white of her irises that would set anyone’s nerves on edge. Celina can tell that this woman sitting across from her is holding back a lot, like a coiled mountain cat that knows its prey’s habits, but enjoys seeing how it tries to dodge its artful ploys. Were she not putting in the effort to be extra nice and genuine with the offered plum, the hand that reaches out to accept the fruit might not have been so gentle.

“What a coincidence that I like them too.”

The Patriot takes a slow and deliberate bite from the plum. Suddenly appearing on her shoulder, the same striped field mouse from the last time wiggles its little nose, sniffing at the fruit. She says something in a language Celina doesn’t understand to the mouse, her eyes never leaving the tiefling’s face.

“Juicy. They’re good. And you Miss ‘Zabinski’ are very good. If I did not know about your love for apples I would have believed you.”

Then she laughs companionably. It’s infectious and surprisingly airy, like quick wind currents across the open plains, that Celina finds herself joining in, even if only a little hesitantly.

“Now, as for your questions,” she sighs, taking another hearty bite of the plum, “let me answer them by presenting an offer to you, one that we can… perhaps, negotiate on.” She takes another bite, giving little scritches to the mouse on her shoulder. “Would you like to hear it?”

Celina smiles widely. “But of course. I would love to hear what you have to say.”

The Patriot inclines her head, sits up a little straighter and tosses the plum over her shoulder. There’s a distinct thump, as it hits the lip of what Celina assumes is a metal bucket, quickly followed by a second, echoing thump from hitting the bottom. The woman gives a little satisfied smirk and laces her fingers together in her lap.

“Should you decide to join our little familia, there will be a Gift we bestow upon you, a mark that shows you as being under our protection. You like to throw yourself into dangerous situations a little bit. One might go out on a limb and say you’re a bit of a risk taker, yes? This tattoo would be a barrier between anyone who wishes to harm your person. It may be, as time goes on, that we give you an upgrade. Regardless I would always keep that close,” she winks and nods to dancing rapier at Celina’s side.

“Once a month you will be tasked with doing a job here and there,” the Patriot continues. “All proceeds you make go to us – your familia. You are a businesswoman and you have your successful Appley Ever After Shop to worry about too. It can be hard for anyone to run a legitimate business on her own, especially when she has more than one commitment. We would offer you an extra bonus that would help with the upkeep and costs every month – depending on how successful you are doing work with us, of course.”

Celina sits there in silence taking in everything. Listening carefully to the Patriot. Everything she is offering sounds very tempting. She’s nearly tempted to jump at the offer then and there but decides to see if she can get anything else thrown in.

“This all sounds great. I mean protection and contacts. My my, you know how to spoil a girl. So I am a simple shopkeeper.” The Patriot raises an eyebrow. “No one knows that I would be working for you and I am excellent at being discreet… when paid right. Is there anything else you can offer a person with my… skill set? Also, can you tell me what’s the name of the gang I would be joining?”

The woman across from her gives a small chuckle. “Ever hungry for more. That’s good. It shows drive, motivation, ambition…” She looks you up and down, head tilting to the side. “But Miss ‘Zabinski’ it is important to know when to push your luck and when to accept the offer given. It is very generous, nothing to be scoffed at.”

The little mouse suddenly jumps off her shoulder towards Celina, landing on her lap as the Patriot stands. The brief companionship the two had shared suddenly shifting gears.

“As for the name of our group… you will find out after you have joined I’m afraid,” she says, starting to walk around Celina’s chair. “But you asked about Mr. Plumstead… Tell me, did he explain to you why he joined us?”

Celina watches the Patriot as she circles her. “The short version, what he said was he joined in order to get me out of my old debt. So… you can see this is why I owe him now.”

“Hmm, interesting.” She looks down at Celina. “So you would take away his choice to stay with us because of some sense of… honour?”

“Well would you care to tell me, how does one leave your gang if they choose to? I’m assuming it’s not so straightforward?” Celina asks back curiously.

There is a small sigh from behind her as the Patriot stops walking. When she speaks again, her voice is dripping with sickly sweet honey.

“Miss ‘Zabinski’. I like you, I do.”

There’s a creak as a hand is placed on the back of her chair. She feels the Patriot lean down towards her. The little field mouse, which had been sniffing at Celina’s fingers, scuttles down her leg and away into the dark with a squeak.

“Understand that Mr. Plumstead’s Boon is his debt and his alone to repay. If he wanted you to repay his debt he would have to tell us. And if you were to repay his debt, you would first have to prove how useful you can be to us.”

Celina turns her head to look at the Patriot. Her eyes are stormy, excited, a barely contained hurricane that speaks of unchecked danger. She winks, straightens up, then finishes the circuit around Celina’s chair.

“So,” the Patriot continues, placing one hand on her hip as she plants herself in front of Celina, “what will it be, Golden Apple Girl?”

Celina pauses for a few minutes again thinking. She wonders what she’s actually getting herself into. However, she can’t see anything wrong so far. She smiles again towards the Patriot. “It seems I might take you up on your offer. However, there is one thing that’s not negotiable…” she looks the Patriot dead in the eyes. “I get to pick the design of the tattoo. Deal?” She grins widely and holds out her hand towards the Patriot, who grins back in kind.

“Then we have an accord, Natalia Petrova,” the Patriot says, her right hand clasping tightly to the offered hand.