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Sivara	Mornings in Nexus are much like any other time in Nexus- bustling, wild, and liable to get one swindled or robbed if one is not careful. One pair that are taking perhaps less than ideal care are a thin, unhealthy-looking woman and her slighty older, more sedate companion. They pore over maps and a small journal of some sort at an outdoor dining house table, planning one thing or another as they chat over a half-forgotten breakfast. The older woman excuses herself after a few minutes, heading inside while the sickly-seeming one jots some notes onto the maps. To a discerning eye she might even be recognizable- the minor servant of a prominent scavenger named Ardent Censer, who was nearly killed by some disease-like curse before rebounding seemingly miraculously to rescue a failed expedition that nearly did not make it home.
Ignis	A moment or two passes before the sound of booted footfalls begins in a steady approach towards the entrance to the outdoor patio. Eventually a male figure emerges into view. Hooded with an ornate cloak wrapped about a jacket with signs of light armor beneath. A peace bonded weapon at his back and a visible firewand, also peacefully holstered, at his sides. Nexus is no stranger to mercenaries, armed travellers, and the like so his presence doesn't necessarily send anyone into a state of alarm and he spends an additional moment looking over the patio before beginning to walk again..moving with unhurried confidence and an unthreatening gait towards the sickly looking woman. "You are..a servant of Ardent Censer?" he asks, slowing his approach as he nears her table and stands slightly off to the side. "I apologize for the intrusion but..I was wondering if we could arrange a meeting with her?"
Sivara	Despite her less than well appearance, Sivara is quick to respond and moves animatedly, sizing up the man for a longish moment before answering. "I was, not so long ago. He and I parted ways, since, though we'll talk from time to time. Something in particular you need?" Another curiousity- her knuckles bear the telltale scrapes and cuts of recent bare-handed violence, yet she hardly seems fazed by any sort of resultant pain or injury. As she speaks she closes up the small journal- and while ostensibly it's a gesture of clearing the table for a newcomer, somewhat pointedly rolls up the map before her.
Ignis	"He." repeats the man, acknowledging his early mistake, "It would seem some of my own contacts were in error and led me to the wrong conclusion." The man looks her over curiously..noting the juxtaposition of her appearence to her movements and then the signs that her hands have seen considerable use. His eyes flicker over the map but fail to glean any particular details and he nods his head and then bows slightly to her while offering a smile, "My name is Ignis. I was the retainer of a Lord that may have had some business dealings with Ardent Censer some years ago. Ardyn Runefaust was his name..originally out of Ysyr but he had relocated and found some success within the Scavenger Lands. I'm afraid a conflict with rivals ended his dealings prematurely.." He takes a seat and rests an arm on the table comfortably before making a helpless gesture, "I'm afraid my information may be out dated now but I was hoping to secure permission to investigate some matters in some ruins that I had thought had been under the care of Ardent Censer. I thought it best to make arrangements before simply barging in.."
Sivara	A shake of the head, and Sivara waves it off. "Well, unless Censer has already set up camp there, he'd be the first to tell you it's all fair game. Not sure what Runefaust's thoughts on the matter might be. Where exactly are you intending to go? And what you looking for, if you don't mind my prying?" Her fingers tap idly on the small, well-worn journal, still seeming to carry a remarkably thick layer of dust in some untouched spots.
Ignis	The answer is in the form of a gesture at the map that was rolled up. Perhaps he did see something, or enough to trigger his interest in it. Ignis offers a smile though there's the faintest hints of a roguish smirk tugging at the edges of it, "There's an entrance to an ancient tomb, perhaps city, that I have some knowledge of. What I'm looking for is..information that may be archived within. I'm sure there's treasure to be had. Perhaps some old sorcery or bound demon but..I've little interest in that at the moment. I probabl don't look it but..I'm abit of a book worm, so to speak. Craving knowledge that may lead to a future goal.."
Sivara	It seems Siv takes the meaning, and she shifts to sit back in her chair instead of leaning over the table. She sizes the man up for a few moments. "You'll forgive me if I'm measuring my words a little with an admitted associate of Runefaust's. Man had a reputation, after all. Condolences, by the way," she says, thoughtful. A few moments later she leans forward again. "So what kind of information makes a man talk to an active rival and speak so freely about the company he keeps? Outdoors in mid-morning on a crowded Nexus street rules out some kind of ambush to take my maps, so."
Ignis	"Perhaps I'm confident that the information in question is of little use and value to the vast majority of others. It would do them little good to lay hands on it and would be largely meaningless and yet is possibly of some personal value to me so much that I'm willing to take the chance." Ignis shrugs lightly, relaxed still, "And thank you for the condolonces. He was..an ass..but he also took me in, educated me. I used to run these streets.." Ignis smile returns, turning into a full on grin that speaks of past mischief, "..I wasn't exactly a 'good boy'...but yes.." His smile fades as he grows more serious, "I know of Runefausts reputation. I think the Ysyr in him had him somewhat addled. He had a major domo that helped keep him in line most of the time but...the sorcerer kings of Ysyr and the noble houses were..something else.." Ignis frowns, voice trailing off and then he opens both of his palms up, "What can I do to make you more at ease?"
Sivara	"Oh, it's nothing behavioural. But it's a cutthroat business sometimes, as I'm sure you know better than anyone. And I'm very careful about my people's safety," says Sivara plainly, head shaking a little. "Most of them have nearly lost it all on one of these trips before. Don't need them going through that again- least of all because of some vulture swooping in." "So I guess my second question is- if you're not here to fight, and you're not here to take anything we'd care about... what -could- that be? And what would you be offering if I did get you in on this one? I can only guess that's what you're after here."
Ignis	Ignis pauses..considering matters and looking thoughtful. He studies Sivara's hands briefly and then finally shrugs and says, "..Protection. Where I believe you're going may have built in defenses that can only be countered or responded to be very specific things. Something that all..that we all are aware of as possiblities when in this sort of business but I have reason to believe that this tomb..possibly a necropolis of sorts..may have belonged to a god-king of old. I'm sure you know what that means." Ignis drums his fingers on the table and then says, "I'm not without some magic tricks of my own. I can be an asset and help keep the people you're concerned about alive. What I want..is..information about this king and his nation which may lead me to the next stage of my personal endeavours. The type of content that would be disclosed in a tomb. Exploits. Heirlooms. The like. If we find anything of monetary value.. Treasure. You can have it. Fair? Or do you need more?"
Sivara	"Oh, I might know better than most how dangerous those places can be," Sivara says with a vague smirk, head shaking a little. "But if you knew to speak to me you probably know that, don't you." She waves it off. "But if you're claiming to be some kind of sorcerer or god's son or what have you... perhaps we can work this out. Conditioned on myself or my retainer getting a chance to read whatever you find before it's in your care for good- never know when it might hint at an upcoming danger, after all."
Ignis	"Fair enough." says Ignis, "I can't fault you for that caution though I'm sure you're aware that even looking upon things not meant for you can be catastrophic..but.. you're also right. If I thought it more prudent to just go at without your permission and that you weren't capable..then I wouldn't have come to you at all." He smiles and leans forward, extending a hand, "Have we got a deal, then?"
Sivara	A pause, then Sivara nods. She extends her hand- her handshake grip is nothing impressive beyond the average person, but certainly more than someone that looks like her might be thought to have. "Well, I've seen my share of bad things out of those places- but at the end of the day I'd rather read the wrong thing than step on or put my hand in the wrong thing. I didn't get to look the way I do over nothing."
Ignis	"No arguement here on that." offers Ignis, finishing the handshake and then withdrawing in order to slowly stand, "I'm not looking to get myself turned to stone, dinner for the fae, or any of the wildly exotic ways of dying or being eternally cursed that may lie inbetween. Probably involving the wyld in some fashion. I think we're in total agreement there and that this partnership will do well. Perhaps, lead to more."
Sivara	"Well I didn't start the day expecting to be flirted with," quips Sivara with a wry smirk. "We'll be leaving in a few days. We do some hunting and such along the way but stay smart with provisions for the trip- we like to travel light and quick and then hunker down and take our time with the 'dig'."
Ignis	"Ha!" Ignis laugh is sincere, amused but short. He seems to have enjoyed the quip but he says nothing to it, allowing Sivara the last word. He nods his head to her, adding a respectful gesture with his hands and then, seemingly satisfied, he turns and begins to make his way out of the patio.