@FalkiThomas@Sleeth@GingerBoi123@King Tai@Raptra
Griffin hadn't had much luck with the rumors regarding the newest threat to the city. Everyone agreed it wasn't the group who did the heist. Which was interesting. He didn't agree the heist had been this new guy's way of testing the city. The heist most have been successful enough for the man to continue his plan. But if the rumors were true how would this group handle the new arrival? Everything he had heard indicated that this man was a criminal bigwig. He would be a threat to everyone not working for him. It was said that he had taken the Black Widow out because she had refused to work for him.

He was wandering when a commotion at one of the taverns. He saw a tall black man talking to a nervous boy. Now this in itself wasn't unusual. Nor was the fact that the two seemed to know each other. No what drew his attention was the others that responded to the pair. There was something going on here. He just didn't know if it had to do with the heist or the new crime lord that was trying to move in. There was only one way to find out. He headed into the tavern.

Isago was a little annoyed that Eryx would call him out not knowing who could listen but now Ratte was close by too? Along with some other person. Isago didn't want to risk speaking too much in this place so what he did was look at Kai "Kid...I didn't expect Eryx to call me out like that so...how about we go to my old partner's spot instead and we can all talk there." He offered. He looked at Ratte and gestured his head to beckon her to meet out the back along with Eryx so they could discuss what he's been hearing and his concern of the matter.

Isago did realize something else. "hey kid...do you know that guy that's with Ratte? You've staring at him for a moment. Making me wonder if you two were once lovers or something or he came after you..." He mentioned. "Anywho...let's just head out back and we can talk there..."

@Raptra@FalkiThomas@KatherinWinter@Sleeth@GingerBoi123

Kai was relieved when Isago suggested going elsewhere to speak about the matter. In addition to what was already on the boy's mind, the tavern's crowd and noise as well as the presence of the pirate he recognized were making the current situation extremely uncomfortable for him. What he needed was a quiet place, and perhaps some fresh air for him to calm himself.

"That's an excellent idea, Sir. I'd rather anywhere else but here," he replied eagerly while nodding.

Isago's question after he signaled to the other group members present then caught Kai off guard. The child had not realized how obvious it had been. He was also rather confused at the man's first guess being that they had been lovers, though, he figured afterwards that it was probably just his sense of humor. Kai took one more glance at the mentioned individual before letting out a sigh.

"No, you... don't want to hear about it, and uh, I only find lasses beautiful, but I've never loved one either."

@King Tai @KatherinWinter @FalkiThomas @GingerBoi123

@Raptra@KatherinWinter@FalkiThomas@GingerBoi123

It was already possible they were already drawing too much attention but with the head motion to Ratte to follow where he wanted them to meet up, Isago already started making his move for Kai to follow and turned to him. "I'm just kidding, my young friend. I'm not concerned about your romantic preferences...but if that guy you're looking at poses a problem, I'll just have to confront him myself but not in this crowd." He said.

Isago walked towards the back to find their way out of the building to start their conversation as Isago opened the way to let Kai through first. "I'll tell you what, kid. If this new guy is only here to cause problems...he'll have to deal with us both...how does that sound?" He asked while waiting on the others to come to the back.

@King Tai@Raptra@KatherinWinter@sleeth@GingerBoi123

Ratte stood and waited for 'Pirate' to make up his mind and her eyes followed Isago as he made his way away from them with Kai. She caught his eye and recognised the nod he gave her to follow him. She leaned her weight onto one foot, weighing up the options. Did she risk this man turning out to be a murderer or did she risk losing a potential ally in the future? She had spent most of her life being paranoid of allies and her recent encounter had opened her eyes a little. She groaned and shook her head, "Look, just.. follow me, okay?" She turned and started walking to the back of the tavern, whether he was following or not. Briefly, she caught sight of the tavern door opening again and a man she didn't recognise walked in @KatherinWinter. He wasn't a local, she knew that for certain, but she had other things on her mind and simply brushed him out of her head as she caught up to Isago and Kai.

At Isago's response, Kai wondered if he had revealed a little too much information, though, that was the least of his worries. The older man's offer to protect him was a pleasant surprise, seeing as how he had nothing to gain from doing such a thing. Considering the type of people he had worked with, it was rather unexpected. Unless of course, Isago did expect something in return. However, the possible problem was not totally external.

"I appreciate the offer, Sir, but it might just be me. Aye, something did happen in the past, but I don't even know if he recognizes me. It's just that I still remember, and..."

That was when the boy decided to stop sharing. Besides, Ratte had already managed to make her way out to meet them, and he was relieved to find that the other pirate was not with her, at least not for the moment. Isago had something to tell them, and it was serious. Kai looked to him to lead the way to the place he had suggested for them to go to for their discussion.

@FalkiThomas @King Tai @KatherinWinter

@FalkiThomas@Raptra@KatherinWinter

Noticing Ratte and Kai showing up, Isago listened to what Kai had to say. Yeah, Isago have not known these people very long but since they didn't try to kill him or set him up or screw him over, he could sort of trust them and sort of was better than not trusting at all. Isago lead them to a back street before speaking to the ones that made it.

He looked around first and finally started to speak. "Okay...I know this is sudden for me to ask of this and well I'm sure we've all had to be cautious as of late. I don't know if you all have heard but lately there's claim that someone killed off the Black Widow. One of my former contacts...spoke rumors about a possible mercenary being here in this city. Not saying the mercenary is the one who took out Widow but..this will add more problems. My full concern is if Widow really is dead and if she is, who did it? And even more so....are WE next? Widow is hard to find but for someone to find her and take her down..... I find that as a serious threat. Then...there's a possibility that there's another group like us out there. Which would mean...we'd have a rivaling group seeking to make things difficult. I have a wanted poster. The picture is inaccurate but my existence is known here in this city and I could be next if someone knows that I'm connected to Widow and the heist. I'm just giving you guys warning and seeing what steps we'd need to take to ensure that we stay alive."

Isago sighed and looked around. The former slave felt that not only his life but his very freedom was at stake and he would never wish any terrible fates like those to fall on his comrades. Isago don't have friends or family but these people he worked with was the closest thing to any of those and felt they will have a higher survival rate working together.

"I know I'm putting us at risk being gathered together like this but you all need to know these things so that you can brace yourself for what comes next."

Ratte followed Isago outside and listened to him. She had heard whispers that the Black Widow was dead but she had never believed them. Now she was beginning to doubt herself. She looked at Isago as he came to an end and felt a small warm feeling for the man. He could have run away and left them to their fate, she knew that she would have done, but instead he had come to warn them. “Isago.. thank you. You didn’t have to come and tell us.” She glanced over her shoulder and dropped her voice. “Since we are sharing.. I have had a lot of people asking about us.. have you? This pirate guy I was just talking to even offered gold just to find us. Clearly our wanted posters aren’t accurate enough for us to be recognised easily but people are really on the lookout for us.. we need to be careful. I don’t normally suggest it but.. maybe we should start thinking of a way to get hold of each other. Just in case someone attacks or lets slip any information.” She watched each of them in turn.

@King Tai@Raptra@KatherinWinter@Sleeth

Hearing what the others had to say, Kai could only feel that he had been really out of the loop since the successful heist. It was not as if his age helped him to blend in where such information was being discussed, and as for contacts, the people in the group that Roxy had put together were the only ones he had. Perhaps the deckhands down at the waterfront might be talking to one another about recent events. He should try to listen in on their conversations one of these days.Naturally, the soldiers they had left alive would recognize them and would be looking for them. Still, there were so many unanswered questions. The status of Black Widow was also something that had often crossed his mind. The rest of the group had just agreed that it was best to be able to contact one another, so if she was still alive, why would she just disappear without a word to any of them?

"If that's the case, you're all welcome back to the basement should you need a place to lay low, or plan on what to do next."

Kai had been the only one what had stayed at the base where the group had their first meeting, and it had been a safe place for him so far. He had not been disturbed there, and it was sometimes even too quiet for his liking.

@FalkiThomas @King Tai @KatherinWinter @Sleeth

@KatherinWinter@FalkiThomas@Raptra@Sleeth

Isago was grateful they listened and didn't laugh or decided to run away. Ratte showed her appreciation and then shared some of what she's been hearing. Isago raised an eyebrow. "Hmm...that pirate guy...." Isago looked at Kai. "For all I know, he could be working for another group. Besides the people that have worked with us on the heist, I'm not sure if we can trust him. That's just my take. If we were going to be set up by people on our team, we all would've been taken out a while ago. I have heard from someone that somebody was asking about me...but that was it so far. But I agree that we need to keep in touch.

Turning to Kai, Isago looked the bot up and down. "How safe is your basement, kid? Have you seen or noticed anyone watching you or officials come to the building often? I'm asking because if we need to, maybe we shouldn't just have that as our main hideout. Possibly another place just in case. There's no telling who all we have to look out for but tomorrow...I'm going to try and figure out who are after us? And if any of us get information about Widow...please...we need to share it with each other."

Ratte nodded in agreement with Isago. They needed a place to stay to be safe and their old base had been big enough to keep them hidden once, it could again. She watched Kai with thoughtful eyes, then Isago as he finished. Ratte nodded then glanced around, making sure that nobody had been listening into their conversation. She remembered the stranger entering the tavern before she had left he bar and carefully stepped away from the small group to face the door so she could monitor anyone that came through it. “It would help us a lot, Kai.. if you’re sure it’s safe.”
@King Tai@Raptra@sleeth@KatherinWinter

"I've been there since our last meeting, and the owner has been keeping me safe," Kai responded to the concerns of the two. "Officials come to the tavern because crimes and other events are commonly discussed here, but so far, they don't suspect that any of their sources originate from this place. That's what I believe as nobody has come to check the basement, at least not when I'm around, and I'm fairly certain that they would be happy to have you back."

Kai would have liked to add that he had been lonely staying mostly by himself for the past few days, but figured that the adults probably would not be interested to hear about it.

Taking into account Isago's words, he then added. "Looking for another place seems like a good idea, but for now, we could go round the back to the basement to discuss further steps."

Normally, the grown-ups had no issue with entering the basement from the front, but with all the suspicion going around and the possibility of anyone in the group being recognized, it would be better for all of them to use 'his' trapdoor.

@KatherinWinter @FalkiThomas @King Tai

Viewing from just outside the Tavern Jason spied on the people in the tavern that were talking in a big group, Jason was slyly looking in the windows reading their lips even though he couldn't hear them, but he only got bits and pieces because it was so dark.

Hoping they didn't see him he slowly crept in the Dark and Musky Tavern as one wrong move could alert someone of his position.

As he got in he tried to come up with a plan to use the info that he had learned, for his use of money and potentially a job. He ordered some Fine Apple Cider and sat in the old rickety chair, thinking of a plan.

Hearing the two out once more, Isago could do nothing more than to take Kai's word for it. If it was an issue, he would've heard something by now and he didn't seem like the type that would intentionally put them in any danger. "Alright...we'll stay at the basement for now. Kid, if you hear anything or run into any trouble at all, I know you can handle yourself but contact either me or Ratte." He mentioned. "And lead the way..." He said to Kai to take them to the basement. Isago took another look to Ratte to see if she picked up on anyone suspicious.

@FalkiThomas@Raptra@CoolHwiff@KatherinWinter

Ratte’s eyes darted everywhere and they caught a glimpse outside at the window. She frowned and focused on it, then saw it again. She stepped back away from the conversation and over to the window where she saw a shadow darting from the alley outside. She slowly gripped the handle of her dagger, then flicked her head to the door of the tavern. A shifty-looking kid not much older than and similar in stature to Kai entered and she was certain that his frame was the shadow that she had seen. Quickly, she stepped back towards Kai and Isago and kept her voice low, “We’ll have to rendezvous later, I think we’ve got company and I don’t want to lead it to the base.. let’s meet there tomorrow at sundown..” Ratte shifted her eyes towards the potential spy to try to point him out to the others. She wasn’t sure what they would do with the information, but any little helped.

@King Tai @Raptra @KatherinWinter @CoolHwiff

@FalkiThomas
Jason saw someone from the big group eyeing him down, the dark lighting of the Tavern didn't help with the information he was trying to find but he still tried. The parts Jason could make out were "rendezvous", "base", and "sundown tomorrow". Jason was going to follow one of the group members to their home tonight, and follow them in the morning especially the one who pointed Jason out to the others.

At Isago's advice, Kai nodded. "Of course Sir, if there's anything at all-"

He was then distracted by Ratte suddenly taking a step away from them. He quickly glanced to the door, where she had gestured to with her head, and caught sight of a dark figure, but only for a second. He would have doubted if it was real and not some figment of his imagination of he had been the only one to have seen it. Thankfully, he was not, and began to tense up again as Ratte shared her suspicions and a change in plan. If it was true, if someone really had tracked them down, a whole bunch of bad things could possibly happen. They could not allow that.

His hand swiftly wrapped around the grip of the flintlock at his waist as he responded in an urgent but hushed tone. "But Ma'am, if they're watching us and they know what we're talking about, we can't let them go! Is it not best that we deal with them now?"

@CoolHwiff @FalkiThomas @King Tai @KatherinWinter

Ratte looked at Kai and raised an eyebrow, “You’re a pretty smart kid... I guess you’re right, maybe we should just confront the guy. We’re the bigger group so far.. we don’t exactly have to hide in the shadows.” Ratte didn’t add that this is what she was used to. She was used to handling her own operations and maybe the extra manpower meant that she could start confronting others, rather than stabbing them from the shadows. She glanced back at the stranger and could swear that she had caught his eye. She caught sight of Kai’s hand on his dagger and her hand automatically went to her own beneath her cloak.

@Raptra @King Tai @CoolHwiff @KatherinWinter

Listening to the two, Isago gave a nod about meeting up tomorrow at sundown but to his annoyance, there was someone watching them that Ratte pointed out. Frowning, the dark skinned warrior couldn't help but to agree with Kai about confronting this guy here and now because there was no telling who this was or who they worked for or what their intentions were. Isago whispered. "If either of you want to chase him, I can cover the lower grounds and I assume you both are faster than me so if you want to pursue him by rooftop, you take him hi, I take him low. We just need to find a way to cut him off just in case." Isago said ready to pull his weapon out.

@CoolHwiff@Raptra@FalkiThomas@KatherinWinter

The new threat in town was a crime lord know as Black Demon. No one knew if it was the man's last name or simply the color he was associated with. He was known for his cruelty. It was said that there was nothing he wouldn't do to get what he wanted. Rumors stated he and the Black Widow were associated by more than name even though she had never been known to be as cruel as the Demon. Some said that the widow had been targeting the Demon ever since she first appeared because of his cruelty.