Heh! Overconfident and unlucky, good combination for cards laughs one of the men, Jake is his name. He and Benji both end up having excellent hands where Smitt and Wilfred lose far more than you and look grumbly about it. Jake wins overall and with a laugh orders another drink from Esther, demanding it quite rudely. She glowers at him and then at Smitt. You gonna let him talk to your wife like that? she pouts. Smitt just laughs. Maybe if you were as pretty as this stranger's meal ticket I'd put in for ya more. Just be glad I keep ya around woman Hey now! Her breasts are still somethin I'd say! defends Wilfred with a leer. You don't see their like very often! True, Smitt nods. If you just look her in the bosom she's passable I suppose. he turns to you then. I don't suppose you've had occasion to chance a look at your lady's goods have ya? How are they? How much is she worth anyway? Must have real rich and worried folks to have a bodyguard after her...You can clearly see the wheels turning in his mind.

Colin let his smile drop as he looked the man in the eye. "I'll take no further disrespect to the lady. She might be a prissy high born, but her family pays me to take care of her. I'll not let you bad mouth her. I still require money to survive, even if she doesn't need any more," he said. He paused for a moment before giving the group a rakish grin. "I'll tell you that they are not as nice has your wife's." He gave her an obvious and deliberate wink. He shook his empty glass a bit at her. He looked at his next set of cards, he palmed a good one, and Colin folded his hand into the pile. He was going to lure them into giving him money.

OOC: RL sucks.

Take 10 slight of hand, total 25

At first they seem irritable about your protests but the joke softens them as you intended and they give raucous laughs. The woman is flattered by your comment and gives you a smile, the first you've seen from her. Yes, she was pretty once and the smile is one of the last reminders of that.

The game goes well for you should you desire it. None of them have a very keen eye and half drunk as they are it is all the easier for you to manipulate the game how you choose. They aren't too careful with their money either, overconfident that you can be bested. When and if you choose to play your hand to your advantage they look surprised and pay grudgingly, eager for a chance to regain their loss. The whiskey flows strong though and in spite of their tough talk and villainous manners, they are obviously not the brightest for they can be reckless with their cash, making bets they ought not to. Jake ends up being the smartest one, drinking less than the others and playing more carefully. He watches you like a hawk, looking for any signs of a tell, or perhaps any signs of cheating. Yes, he is the one to be wary of.

Conversation flows easily enough. Fortunately Amelia finally stops being the topic and it slips into other things. Local gossip for the most part. A bar owner who owes Smitt money, a couple of pretty sisters Jake has had his eye on, that sort of thing. From time to time you hear them mention a Mr. Langton, likely their employer from the sounds of it, though it is only a comment or two here and there, such as needing to borrow money if they keep losing at such a rate or mentioning how disappointed Langton would be if he could see such luck, that sort of thing.

Colin slipped easy into his confidence man routine, losing a majority of hands, but dealing cards well enough from his tricks to win enough to break even for the most part. He plays it well and doesn't cheat if he doesn't have to. Colin did keep an eye on the various members of the poker group and a stray eye on the wife. Might as well look while he could. He enjoyed a few cigarettes and drinks, ensuring to not imbibe too much of the hard stuff. As the night lingered on, Colin waited until he thought the question was right. After the third time he is mentioned, Colin blurted out a question in drunken fashion, not having to try too hard to slur his words. "Who is this Langton? Ya keep mentioning him, but I haven't a bloody clue who you mean."

Ah! Langton is our employer! laughs Smitt in spite of the fact there is nothing remotely funny about the comment. If there's a profit to be made in all of Boston, Langston's got his hand in it. A right genius he is! You notice two things at his comment. First, Esther's face tightens at his name and you get the distinct impression she doesn't like the man. Second, Jake, who is still fairly sober, immediately gets on edge, trying to shush his companion with a black look but Smitt is too inebriated to pick up on such cues.  If he were here he'd take us for all the money in our pockets and then some! Ha! A very good thing he doesn't mingle with his men eh? Elsewise I'd owe him Esther by now! Jake puts his glass down on the table harder than necessary and Smitt drunkenly turns to face him. Perhaps Mr. Langston would not wish his business aired in front of strangers he warns his companion.

Colin gave a cautious smile as he raised his hands in an innocent manner. "Easy friend. No need to get upset." Colin did, however, give the man a stern glare. He had no clue as to the nature of the business that the man conducted, but the game had started. There was no going back.

There is a palpable tension between you and Jake and he stares you down without blinking. The other players don't seem to notice, Smitt and Wilfred have drunk themselves to great distraction but Jake is looking at you calculatingly. How long are you and your woman in town for again? He cuts the deck with dexterous fingers.

Colin stared the man down just as easily as looking at a person can be. "Just so long as the lady has it in her head. She will come down from her tantrum eventually. In the mean time, I find work to supplement my pay. I quite a renaissance man, actually," Colin could start to feel uneasy about the whole situation. Before him was a man that knew how to play a room, just as Colin did. The only difference was that two confidence men could not co-exist in the same game.

Work you say? And what kind of work do you think you are looking for? You won't find many nice jobs this side of town. A man in these parts can't be afraid to get his hands dirty, in all sorts of ways he gives a small smirk as he tosses the cards out and takes a long drink. You get the impression he is trying to decide just how streetwise you really are. Langston can always use another hand, if the man is tough enough. Babysitting pretty girls isn't the sort of work he's interested in though, you know? Smitt slurs, also thinking you over. You ever seen any action? Bein Irish I'm sure you get into your fair share of scuffs eh?

Colin gave his signature grin as the man evaluated him. He kept his stare locked with Jake, even as he leans in to speak to Smitt. His voice was calm and cool, even save for his Irish inflection. His butterfly knife came out in a flash and did a slick demonstration of his skill and dexterity. "I've seen my fair share of blood. Mine and others in even swaths. You wouldn't think that it be just me on the babysitting detail if I wasn't capable of protecting her? The Yanks here, they are soft as pudding when it comes to proper fighting. I'm tougher than a coffin nail and fast as greased lightning."

Heh! I'll bet you are! Smitt laughs and thumps the table. He turns to Jake. Whatdoya think? Langston might like him. Jake's eyes narrow as he stares you down a long moment. At last he nods slowly. Maybe. Maybe. Hm. If he doesn't like ya though, keep in mind he may take it out on your hide. Doesn't trust many people. Of course you don't exactly seem the stellar type to go poking your nose into stranger's card games in the basement of the worst hotel in the city. You're either very stupid or you're used to men like me making it hard for you. Tell me, you ever killed a man? Not sayin we're murderers mind you he takes a drag on a cigar, but sometimes deals go wrong and people get hurt. Permanently hurt. If you want in you'd best mean it. Unless you really are here for a poker game? The arch of his brow tells you he knows you're here for a job, or at least he thinks as much. Yes, Jake is definitely the one to watch out for.

Colin rolled his shoulders after Jake asked his question. Now was the time to pounce. "I've taken a life and I'll have to answer for it, whether from the people left behind or the good Lord above. I'm not afraid to do it again, if there is enough to convince me. "

Jake listens with a small smirk but Smitt's grin splits his face. Ah, sounds like a good fit! We could always use some more muscle on our little jobs. I say you're in! he raises his glass for his woman to refill. She watches you with a frown, not liking that you've become involved with the likes of her husband. She seems almost disappointed in you. Meanwhile Jake glares at the other man. Now now, we need to wait and see what Langston says on the matter. Besides, I still don't trust him. We'll let Langston vet him, see what he thinks. He turns to you. There's a restaurant, fancy little place on the other side of town. I forget the name but it has flowers and overpriced food, it's on Clint street. Langston will be there tomorrow morning. So will I. You think you can get away from your wench long enough to stop by?

ooc: Go ahead and answer him and then let me know your plans for the rest of the poker game and afterward too.

Colin gave a look of understanding to Jake and then continued with the poker game. He played it straight, not caring about the money anymore. "I just hope that I have enough money left to pay for a meal tomorrow," he quipped. He finished with a chuckle and went about the night as a friendly sort of fellow. He would remain that way until he could pass a note to Amelia about the meeting. She would be more than capable of finding a way to accommodate the plan.

The game ends soon after, they laughingly decide to leave you some money for your needs.

You slip a note under Amelia's door and in the morning you find one under yours:

Fine, just be careful. Ruffians can be as bad as demons you know and either one could get you killed. I won't be around to help you either. I'm going to do some searching of my own. I may be able to find a network here, I have my means. I'll meet you back here around two o'clock or so. If you're not here I'll assume you did something stupid. Don't do something stupid. You can imagine her rolling her eyes as she writes it, her penmanship flawless and unbelievably straight. You wonder if she used a ruler to write it, you wouldn't put it past her.

By the time you read it she's already gone having left at an ungodly hour to do whatever it is she is going to do. Hopefully she takes her own advice about stupidity. In the meantime you find Clint street easy enough thanks to the seedy man at the front desk and soon you take a cab to a much finer part of town where you feel a tad out of place. Amelia would probably love it here. The restaurant is called "A Veritable Quandry" and when you enter you feel surprisingly self conscious. A waiter gives you a barely disguised sneer but leads you to Langston's table as though he's already been expecting you. Jake is there too, looking a bit hung over but he nods a stiff greeting anyway. Langston is a portly fellow in his middle years. Impeccably dressed and smoking a cigarette from a long holder. He's just the type of fob you would make fun of on other occasions. He sees you and gestures for you to sit, pointing at a menu. You simply must try the eggs benedict my boy. You'll think you've died. Now, Jake tells me you are in need of some work? he arches a well groomed brow.

With a fresh day ahead of him, Colin looked to start it on the right foot. Surprisingly, his wardrobe included a fresh waist and shirt. His pants were a little old and worn, but they fit right and he couldn't complain. The tailor had called it jade or india green.Colin thought it looked close enough to his beloved emerald green. Placing his knives about his person and tucking his cigarette case in his waistcoat, Colin set out for the eatery in question.

Not finding it particularly difficult, the search came to an end and Colin sat in front of the fop called Langston. Colin nodded with a smile and noted that he was getting don to business quickly. Colin retrieved his cigarettes and offered a fresh rolled one to Langston and then to Jake. "Aye, your man has the right of it. Truth be told, I'm not so much looking as offering my services. I have a living already, if you pardon me being frank about it, and love to throw in the odd job or two. My employers, well, they are old money and a bit too prim to call me what I am. But, I'm the best there is," he finished. His annunciation is much clearer than he was letting on in the poker game. He still had his very pronounced accent, however. He leaned onto the table with a deadly grin. "Now, sir, what can I do for you today?"

Confident. I like that he politely declines the cigarette though Jake takes it wordlessly. Do you take coffee? They make the most wonderful stuff here he chuckles. Without waiting for an answer he gestures for the waiter and promptly orders all three of you coffee, eggs Benedict and an enormous side order of bacon to split. Jake makes a slight face when the man isn't looking and you judge something on the menu is not to his liking but he clearly isn't about to complain about it.

Old money eh? Then you're used to dealing with the upper crust. Good. If you're serious about the work I have a shipment tonight coming in and I'll need all hands on board. It's bound for Harvard, I'll need an escort for it from the docks straight to the school, you've surely heard of it even where you're from? There's a certain professor who is very...particular about his merchandise. He gives a sniff and puts the cigarette out. You get the feeling he's not particularly fond of the man. Now, tell me about your employers, anyone I would know?

Colin stared at the man for a second, trying to determine what the merchandise was. He would need to find out if he was going to know if his lead was a dead end. It never occurred to him that his poker game might have led to a simple introduction in to a normal crime syndicate. He was musing on this when he realized that he had let the question about his employers linger. Colin's mind raced to come up with a plausible story, in the end, he decided to go with an answer that, if it was found out to be a lie, it would only serve as cover that he was trying to protect his normal employers. "Well, you might know them. The Smith family out of North Boston, Lady Julia and her husband Jonathan. Point of order is that I'm not known for my cheery demeanor, if you expect me to sweet talk this customer, it'll cost extra. That said though, once I'm paid, I'm your man. Through and through."

22:33, Today: Colin Browne rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  Bluff.

Heh. A man who knows what he wants. I like that. I also like your loyalty to your employers, whoever they may truly be he takes a confident drag of his cigarette as though showing off the fact that he knows you're lying. I will pay you half now and half when the job is done. That's more than fair. I've got some decent men but they can be a bit...distracted. Jake's just about the only fellow I can trust not to mess anything up. Now, I hope you don't think me overly cautious but since I really don't know you I'll have a little...incentive for you to follow the plan as I specify. Your charge, the woman. I'll make sure she's well looked after while you're gone. If everything goes well she'll be in the same condition you left her. If not...well Lady Julia and her husband may be a bit upset with you he says their names with amusement but his eyes are cold as steel.

Colin met the gaze of the man with a look just as steely as his soon to be employer. Sensing he might unravel the charade if he kept up his bull headed stare, Colin turned his eyes away and gave a signature grin. "Right then, nothing like a bit of motivation for me to start off a job. I understand the sentiment and trust that I can get your man his merchandise," he quipped as he lit a cigarette and joined his newfound employer for breakfast. "If I'm not mistaken, you said they make a right decent cup o' tea here."


OOC: I'm ready when you are.

Langston watches you with a twitch of amusement, sensing he's won, though you feel Jake's gaze on you, ever contemplative.

The rest of breakfast goes as well as can be expected. Mostly the banter of a powerful man eager to take every opportunity to flaunt it. Jake says little, just chokes down his food with a look of disgust. Langston was right about the quality though, very good, even the tea. Langston eats an enormous helping before leaving you with a nod, looking to Jake to give you your orders which he does. You are to meet at the docks that night come ten o'clock and then ride with the shipment via wagons. There are about four massive crates to expect and therefore you will man one of the wagons along with Jake while the others from your poker party will deal with the other three. It will take roughly three hours with your cargo, which is apparently fragile. Getting back will be much faster. Meanwhile Amelia will be kept under close watch, though they will keep her ignorant of it so long as she doesn't make trouble.

ooc: If you have any questions or anything to add to all this just post it

Later you make your way back to the hotel. By now it is early afternoon. You manage to kill some time until two o'clock at which point you get a knock at your door. It is Amelia, dressed impeccably as always, quite the contrast to the seediness of this decrepit place. Well, I don't have names yet but there's definitely something going on here she immediately sets into talking, carefully removing her dove gray gloves as she talks, removing her hat and straightening her hair as well. I found a shop, a little herbalist to the layman, but I recognized the hunter signs in his window. Rowan, mistletoe, that sort of thing. He said there's been a lot of disappearances lately. Murders and other nasty things. Could be the preparations for a ritual perhaps. Or- she sighs and sits down on a rickety chair with her back so straight and proper you're sure someone would be impressed, perhaps this place is just so full of bad eggs it's completely normal. This hotel for instance, she wrinkles her pretty nose. Humans are just as bad as demons sometimes if you ask me. Now what about you? Did you have any better luck than I?

Colin inhaled deeply. Seems that thing were getting interesting. "Looks like we both made progress. Seems that I have been hired to deliver some cargo to some Harvard professor. Gave little as to what it was, so i expect i will have to deliver it and interrogate the man to find out. In the mean time, keep close watch on yourself. The are using you as leverage against me. I'm sure they won't be a problem for you if things get nasty, but don't hold yourself like the Men of Letters you are. They are sharp enough to know that it is all suspicious," he finished. Colin then made to his cigarettes, but stopped for some unknown reason, suddenly not craving one anymore. He then proceeds to go into detail about the encounter and how Amelia able to do to help.

She listens thoughtfully, making a face that they are trying to use her to manipulate you. I see. How villainous of them. Well alright, I suppose I can play the unwitting damsel in distress if need be but if they pose too much of a threat I make no promises for their fate she adds darkly. If they are half so lecherous as the man who runs this dump I would be happy for an opportunity to censure them...In the meantime what of you? You're going to be surrounded by churls and far away from me. Do you think you'll be alright? I wish I could go with you she shakes her head in frustration. I'm sure they'll have a tail on me. I could lose them, make it look like chance, and follow behind if you wish? We should hopefully have little reason for this charade after tonight.

Colin shook his head at her questions. "I took on a demon single handed well enough, I think I can take a few thugs if required. As for this whole endeavor, I will need you to stay here and keep tabs on those that hired me. They might be simple criminals, but the second of the boss I met seems off in some way, though I can't quite put my finger on it. Plus, one of us will have to be fit enough to take care of me if I get out of trouble with a few scrapes," he said with a Cheshire smile.

She arches a disapproving brow and folds her arms. You are a confident thing, I'll give you that she mutters. Hopefully you know what you're doing because I will be hours away if things go wrong. If you can drag your carcass back here I'll be happy to patch up whatever is left. She looks frustrated at your decision but with a sigh accepts it. Just...be careful will you? I don't want to have to break in a new partner. She looks genuinely concerned.

ooc: Ok, finish up here and let me know your plans until nightfall at which point I'll put you at the docks.