[IC] The Shanty Town
He threw back his hood, revealing his features to be pockmarked and weather beaten. Reaching into his cloak, he drew out a sealed scroll case and cracked the lid, emptying the contents onto the table. A half dozen rolled leafs of tobacco fell out, as well as nearly twice that many matches. He gathered most of them back into the scroll case, but offered Gaja one if she wanted it.
"Oh Signora, is this not what I was wearing on the road? So many faces, so many stories, I lose track of them after a while. It's why I try and keep it to just the one name, when I can."
He winked at her, and struck one of the matches along his boot heel, drawing up one of the loose leaf rolls to his mouth and cupping his hands around it. A moment later, a puff of heady smoke emerged. He took a long draw, then leaned back in his seat.
"Speaking of, I see you learned their names after all!"
He chuckled at that, though in this body the laugh seemed more sinister than jovial.
"And you speak Kasirutan, that's quiet scholarly for a barbarian. Though you've missed the mark slightly. The Raja's Eternal Flame tells the story of the king of kings, a great man who wasted his final years seeking vengance after his most precious secret was stolen from his very tongue by a devious scoundrel. Now, of those two figures of legend, which do you think I'd have chosen for my namesake?"
He flashed her a grin that looked more like a grimace at first glance.
"If Signora Roberta Falchetto knew of my indiscretion, then she certainly was slow in doing anything about it. I use the singular there quite intentionally though. Yesterday was in fact my first heist since stepping out of retirement. Any recent thievery, while I would be only to happy to add to my story, isn't mine to claim. Perhaps I can find the culprits for you though, that might be fun. More secrets to share betwixt us, always a good time."
He laughed at that, and despite his grim features the sound was resonate and pleasing.