(OPEN) Just another day

[Seigmand Dezmar]

"Hello there," Seigmand extended his hand to the newcomer. "the name's Eric and I was just talking to Andy about hiring his services as a bodyguard. And what is your name?" His eyes narrowed a bit examining him.

Hmm... a partner maybe? This could prove annoying if he comes along.

[Andy Jammer]

"Kevin Uruhane," he replied, "I'm Andy's teacher, so you want to hire him huh..."

"I dunno if I-"

"All business matters go through me," Kevin cut him off. "If business if what you want then we shall discuss it, Jasmine dear, do you think we could have some of your mother's delecious tea while we talk business?"

[glitters]

Jasmine stared at Seigmand cautiously - she wasn't going to say she didn't trust him, however she wasn't going to say she did trust him, either. And so he received "the stare" from Jasmine, the one where she watched him carefully, and constantly searched the way he spoke, how he sounded, and how his body moved to further determine what type of man he was.

"Of course, Mr. Uruhane," Jasmine gave Kevin a warm smile, grabbing more cups and pouring them each some tea. She gave an ever-gentle smile to Andy as she asked him, "Would you like some more tea yourself, Andy?"

She looked down into the pot that she held and raised her eyebrow. She then turned and stepped across the room saying, "I'll need to boil some more water..."
The whole time, she kept glancing back at Seigmand, every now and then checking on Andy as well to see if she could somehow read what he thought of this man and what was going on between him and Kevin.

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Crude, this Kevin looks a little sharper than Andy does. I'll have to be a bit more cautious. Seigmand's eyes turned to the slender girl making the tea, their eyes meeting for just a moment before she turned away. It was all it took for him to see the look of mistrust in her eyes. She'll be another one I have to worry about. She doesn't trust me and by the way she looks at Andy I'd say she knows him.

Never letting his false persona fall, his attention turned back to Kevin. "Of course... Kevin was it? My request is simple. I'm heading towards a city two days away on foot and I need protection against the creatures along the way. I'd be happy to pay for your services of course. Do we have an agreement?" Seigmand extended his hand forward, the simple smile still on his face.

[glitters]

"Andy, Kara, and myself, actually," Jasmine's voice was clear and stern and she never looked back towards him the whole time she spoke, "Andy wouldn't be alone, he travels with us..."

She didn't want to interrupt, didn't want to interfere, but she didn't want to give this man the idea that he'd get Andy all by himself in case something happened. If anything, she would have preferred if either Kara, herself, or if even Kevin was with them.

She didn't put it past her that Kevin wouldn't allow Andy to be alone either, but she spoke up as just a precaution.

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Seigmand stole only a moment's glance at the blond girl, his mind seething with contempt for her yet trying to keep his guise perfect. "Whatever you say girl, but know that I'm only paying Andy for his blade. I won't be charged for... tag-alongs, understood?" The last remark made towards Kevin. "Now, what say you Andy? Would you care to escort me on my travels?"

[Andy Jammer]

Andy folded his arms and looked at his teacher, Kevin seemed to be writing something on a napkin.

"It sounds all right to me, Andy could use some training anyway," Kevin responded in his usual jovial voice, holding the napkin for Seigmand to see. "Here's what the pay would normally be..."

The napkin read: I know you are the Sumata and for now I'll allow Andy to play in your game if you intend to observe him, a caution though: if you make an attempt to harm my student, I will kill you. If you think I jest, mention my name to Trucido or Xisa Tyrant. I will be watching you and remember that even a 'pawn' can take down a 'king'.

"We have an accord?" Kevin asked as if what he wrote never existed.

[glitters]

Jasmine felt truly offended by Seigmand's words, yet she tried to hold it all in and kept her face calm as she quickly made her way across the room with the teapot.

Setting it down with a loud 'thud', she said to Seigmand with a clear bitterness outlining her voice, "I don't do my job for money, sir."

She then quickly turned on her heel and marched down the hall to check up on her mother.

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Seigmand was confident he had played his part perfectly as Kevin wrote down what appeared to be a price for Andy's services. However when he scanned the details in it his felt his stomach sink. Unable to suppress the surprise he felt he looked up Kevin trying to read the man's expression.

Who the hell is this man? It'd be one thing for him to see through my fake intentions, but to know I'm part of the Sumata? Me and Trucido will have to talk about this. Seigmand scowled briefly at the thought of being completely trumped by the bizarre stranger.

He quickly remembered the present company in the room and tried to play off his reactions as best he could. "Hmmm... That's a pretty steep price there Kevin. I mean, if this is what I'm paying he'd better be good. However I am in a pinch and if that's what it'll cost then so be it." Seigmand tucked the napkin deep in his pocket and fished out a bag of gold, tossing it next to Kevin. It was a paltry sum for a king, but considering the size of the bag he wasn't surprised to notice Andy's eyes widen a bit at it. "That should cover it. However, if I'm to pay such a sum then I have a few conditions I want met. Perhaps the two of us could discuss this during a walk privately?" His voice taking a very serious tone with the last word. "I've heard the Shimmering Lake is beautiful this time of year and I've had little time to sight see on my journey."

[Andy Jammer]

Andy's eyes did widen indeed, but he was more focused on Jasmine right now. And he was grateful when Kevin pushed his chair back.

"Why of course we can, the lake is very beautiful." Kevin walked outside, grabbing his cane and leaning on it.

When Kevin and 'Eric' walked out Andy stood up and looked for Jasmine. "Jas?"

[glitters]

Jasmine appeared from the room at the end of the hall, carrying a couple of blood-soaked towels and tossed them into a giant bucket for washing later.

She saw right away the empty table, and Andy coming down the hallway. Her eyes, which were so angry just a moment ago softened incredibly as she took a deep breath.

"Andy," she said quietly, "...I...I don't like him."

She had nothing else she could think of to say about Seigmand. It had nothing to do with whether or not she trusted the man, though.

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Seigmand and Kevin headed out the door, following the graveled pathway leading up to the lake. When they got out over the lip of a hill so the house was no longer in view, Seigmand dropped the goofy smile and stared hard at Kevin. "I don't know who you are, or how you know me, but I didn't bring you out here to fight. I want information, namely who you are and what part you're playing in all this." His voice was calm, cool, trying his best to extract what he could from the man before him.

[Andy Jammer]

"Kevin Uruhane, I teach warriors, including Sumata, how to fight." Kevin simply answered.


"Oh, so you also think he's kinda annoying?" Andy asked, "Or do you REALLY not like him?"

[glitters]

"I don't know about annoying," Jasmine was still quiet, folding her arms and leaning against the wall, "but I'm not sure...about him. I couldn't tell you whether we should trust him or not, but my heart tells me I have no respect for a man who has the nerve to insinuate that I, or my mother, help the sick and injured merely for a couple of useless gold coins."

She bit her lip, feeling the anger rise up in her again. She took a deep breath to try to calm herself down.

"I don't know about him. I just worry that he's trying to get you alone with him, and you know Kara and I won't let that happen," she said this with a smile.

[Seigmand Dezmar]

He raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Teach or taught Kevin? You wouldn't be willing to take on anymore pupils would you?" Seigmand chuckled just a bit at his own remark. "So what you're just a man on the sidelines? What's really your angle? You're way too defensive with that kid in there to be just a teacher to him."