Her eyebrows raised a little, and her smile took on a trait that was akin to being amused. Some would argue that her profession made the the opposite of an honest woman. However, she caught his meaning, or she thought she did, “I do prefer being transparent in most things.” It avoided misunderstandings and horrific mix ups.

“Yes, Ona will have to give the final say in this,” she leaned back a bit, “But I don’t anticipate her being against this a bit,” especially if he’d be useful for the ladies of the tavern’s other job. She’d need to get in touch with Ona soon and have the two of them meet, “And until you have a chance to meet her, I’m going to go ahead and let you stay here per our agreement,” At his apparent interest in her other offer, she bit her bottom lip as she smiled. She wouldn’t be taking him for a ride that night it seemed, but she knew it was only a matter of time, “Oh it will be the best sort of fun,” she purred, “Just let me know when you want to have a go.”

She frowned at his question about the redheads. Not in displeasure on being asked, but in what she had to say, “Unfortunately, we are occasionally ‘rented out’ to Ishmael Eldouir so he can play his music,” she shrugged, “As for what goes on, Ona would be able to tell you. She has most of us leave when he comes around. Other than him though, we usually don’t suffer their presence,” a pause then, “If you’re going to help keep the peace in this place, I should tell you about Eirwen. She’s been coming by a bit more often. She’s nice enough, but…” she paused, considering what to say about the girl. There was so much and yet so little to tell him, “The first thing you should know is that she directly works for the Eldouir. The second thing is that she is…” scary, off, wild, “she seems a little unstable.”

A roof over his head, and such lovely company, who could complain? 

"I'm sure I'll get to meet the big boss in time." He answered, her statement. "In the meantime, I'll be the perfect housemate, don't you worry 'bout it." Seth intended to keep that promise. He wasn't a troublemaker by nature. He was a businessman, at least how he saw things. Whilst he might lookout for number one first and foremost - didn't everyone? He wasn't an unpredictable, and self-serving force of nature bent on bringing about chaos.

Again, Lovina was very good at making a tempting offer, which even he struggled to resist. "I bet you're the popular one around here." He couldn't help, but note with a sly smile. She was the only one of the girls he'd met so far, but if they were all even half like her then it was no wonder that this tavern was so busy. "I look forwards to it." Seth was being sincere. Here and now might not be the time, this was more of a business proposal after all. As much as the man might have wished for it to be otherwise, he knew that it wasn't a good thing to mix business with pleasure. 

Seth wasn't a fan of the Eldouir. Although he wasn't the sort to blame them for everything wrong which had befallen the Dresmondi. "Good. I can work with that." He hesitated for a moment. "I think I'm beneath their radar at their moment, and I'd like to keep it that way." 

"Eirwen? I might have heard about her." Seth questioned, the name rung a vague bell. Only a vague one though. The sort which came from whispers on the streets, rumors which could have been just as easily false, and it could have been true. They were bloody tales though. For a moment, it caused him to reconsider. He dismissed those thoughts quickly enough. After all, Lovina had said she was only round from time to time, that should be manageable, right? "If half the rumors are true, I'm sure that she keeps things interesting enough." There was a slight note of humor behind the man's voice, just enough to make it clear that he wasn't terribly intimidated by the prospect.

Poor fool.

“I’m sure you’ll be just perfect,” she smiled, “Just what we need in fact.”

She let out a husky laugh. Ah yes, he was interested. This pleased her, “I’ve not had complaints yet,” she promised, “I too look forward to it,” she made a point to scan his form. Very good looking, seemed healthy to, “Although, with a handsome and mysterious fella like you, I have a feeling that we ladies of the Dyr might just fight over you. I’m considering giving you a stick so you can keep us at bay.”

“We also like to stay under their radar when we can,” she especially liked to stay away from them. They’d taken everything decent away from her, and she didn’t want to know what they’d take from her next, “I’ll try to give you some warning if I hear that Ishmael will be gracing us with his presence so you can choose if you wish to be around or not.”

On the subject of Eirwen, she’d watch his face to see if she could glean any reaction from him. She really hoped what he’d heard of the girl wouldn’t put him off of the Drunken Dyr. Eirwen scared her a little, but only because the girl didn’t seem to understand the horrors of what she’d been tasked with doing. Or perhaps the girl didn’t want to know, “Oh, she keeps things interesting alright. But she’s harmless enough when she’s had a few to drink,” Lovina hadn’t heard of her killing anyone in the building yet. If she had, she’d have to offer to throw in a massage or perhaps a private dance for him on top of her company.

It was a business proposal that suited both parties then, that was perfect.

Seth had decided that he quite liked Lovina. There was something about her that was very enticing. It made resisting her advances, almost impossible. He tried to focus on what few principles he had - business related of course - to avoid giving in. "You're very good." He couldn't help but note with a fox's grin. "I bet you're the most popular one here." She continued her flirting, and he played along. It had been a very long time since he'd last enjoyed banter quite as much as he was now. He had to chuckle at her offer of a stick. "I can certainly think of worse company to be in." 

It almost sounded like they had a protocol where the Eldouir were concerned. Seth waved a hand at her offer for him to make himself scarce if they showed up. It was meant to be a reassuring gesture. "I'd just have to be on my best behavior." He gave her a knowing wink, as something almost like a tease. "I guess we can cover for one another when we need to."

Eirwen turned into something of a joke. Seeing that Lovina was taking it lightly enough, Seth allowed himself to relax a little bit in turn. He'd already accepted that this was the sort of establishment that was likely to attract some of life's more "unusual" characters. "So we actually want her to get drunk?" That sounded a little counter-intuitive, but who was he to judge? "Noted." He looked around the building, taking a few steps as he inspected the joint, as if he was discovering it for the first time. Seth folded his arms across his chest. "Yeah. I'm liking it here already." He declared.

He told her she was good. She knew exactly what he meant. There was a game being played, or perhaps it was better to say a transaction was being proposed and pushed. It was a sales pitch, and she’d been in the business long enough to know how to sell herself. Literally, “Yes I am,” oh yes, she had a feeling he’d ben one of her favorites. She liked that he was going right along with her obvious attempts to lure hi into her bed, tossing flirtation right back at her. It was almost like being chased, or giving chase.

She gave a coy smile at his wink, “Oh, feel free to be bad,” she couldn’t help but say it. Their verbal banter was all too fun, “At some point, we may have to take cover together…we’ll have to find something to keep us occupied until the Eldouir decide that they’re done with this little tavern.”

“So far, it seems to be the answer,” Lovina thought of how she and Ona had gotten the girl very intoxicated, how she had spilled her secrets, “As far as I can tell, she’ll fall asleep before she can do anything. That’s what happened when she tried to go to bed with Ona,” it had been sweet in a sort of funny way. The girl was unhinged in a sort of scary way, but she had looked so peaceful in her sleep.

At his declaration of how he liked it at the brothel already, her smile would return, “And I feel safer already with a big, strong man looking after us.” Of course, there was the other bouncer, and Lovina had been trained by the Adoi in some fighting, but she wouldn’t point any of that out.

Was it a game? Seth liked to think that it was. Of course, he hadn't forgotten whose company he was in, and just what her profession was. Her entire job revolved around enticing men into her bed, charms were a requirement for that. So, he tread as carefully as possible. He was relaxed enough to allow Jezebel to slither back down off of his shoulders, and onto the table. The snake was uncoiled, at ease. It would be a while though until the man truly felt that he knew Lovina enough to say one way or another just what she might have been thinking.

For the time being, he took it to still be fun.

Seth returned her little smile with a grin of his own. "Well, you've gone and done the impossible... Now I almost want those brutes to turn up." It sounded as if the residents of the Drunken Dyr had their heads screwed on straight where their resident red heads were concerned. That came as something of a relief. It was a long time ago that Seth had learned that it was always best to keep out of the way of an Eldouir.

The idea of filling someone up to the brim with alcohol just to keep them somewhat manageable struck Seth as being so absurd as to almost be amusing. "Well, I guess that I've heard worse." Although he couldn't exactly have said just when. "If she doesn't give you girls any trouble, then I guess that I'll manage somehow." 

Oddly, Seth couldn't help but feel that his mother would have been proud of him. Perhaps, she would have rather he chose somewhere other than a brothel, but at least here he could claim that others would be benefitting from his presence. "Well, I'll do my best m'am." His tone was a slight tease.

If Lovina was able to see the snake, she would briefly watch it slither off Seth’s arm before putting her eyes back on the man. She thought he seemed relaxed, although she did not know him well enough to know his tells. Perhaps she’d know him that well very soon.

Her own Dyr was still perched on her head. Although his human companion was relaxed and not in any apparent danger, the cute little songbird would still appear to be a bit disgruntled, but his feathers weren’t as puffed up as they were before. If he was able to see the other Dyr slither onto the table, he’d hop on the table, keeping a good foot or two away from the danger noodle.

“We could always pretend they’re here,” her voice was low as if she were sharing a suggestive secret, “Have a little rehearsal…practice the encore?”

Lovina would nod at his seeming acceptance of Eirwen and the issues she might bring. She had nothing else to add, although she was certain he might have a thing or two to say about the girl if he ever got to meet her. She was someone that was difficult to forget. Or miss.

Jezebel settled down on the table. The snake would turn its attention briefly towards the canary as it settled down. To the serpent, the bird wasn't a particular threat. She watched her human partner, and the woman he was talking to. She had her own thoughts about the matter, but at least they weren't fighting or stealing, so the dyr remained quiet. She took advantage of the lull in the madness of their lives. 

She wasn't backing down it would seem. Seth had to smile, he even let out a little chuckle at her next suggestion. "Okay... You win." He slipped his hands into his pockets, and rocked back and forth on his heels. "I'll admit, you are very, very good." He's more than happy to bow his head, and hand her over the victory. There was no shame in losing their little game to her.

"So..." He glanced around the building, trying to get a feel for it. He would be calling it home after all.  "If I'm supposed to be keeping you folks safe. Maybe you can give me a tour? Where do we go and hide when the Eldouir come along?" 

At his admission to her victory, she laughed, but there was no sensuality in it. She leaned back, a genuinely amused smile on her face, “Ah, a man that can admit when he’s lost. We need more of those in the world,” she was almost disappointed that they weren’t going upstairs at that moment to roll each other around, but it was probably for the best. It was better to start a professional partnership without sex being involved. His resistance was actually quite interesting to her. Not a lot of people would reject a prostitute that was almost throwing herself at them. She would have to reignite the chase at a later date.

The request for a tour was brought up with decent timing. She heard more and more of the girls rousing, footsteps creaking around the building. There would be a small crowd of clients leaving the building soon, “Not too much to see, there’s this room,” she threw her hand out to indicate the one they were currently occupying, “and there’s the rooms for the girls when someone wants to buy our company, and I can show you those when more are empty…you can even pick the one that you want while we’re at it. As for where we go when the Eldouir impose on us with their presence,” she shrugged, “We don’t have any huge plan at the moment. Most of the girls don’t live here—not full time anyways—so they stay home when Ishmael comes around. The ones that live here like myself and Ona,” she shrugged, “ It depends. If I’m unable to leave before they come, I stay in my room and don’t come out. If I can leave, I just wander,” she’d really have to talk to Ona about letting her help with Ishmael. The thought of being around an Eldouir would likely bring back memories of that day when they ravaged her and her caravan, but it didn’t feel right to allow her to deal with him by herself.

Seth only smiled in response to her statement regarding his ability to accept defeat. He wasn't a hero, and whilst he did have some pride, the smuggler wasn't the sort to allow it to get in the way of his life. In short, he didn't feel any particular shame in yielding to her. Quite the opposite, there was a certain playful satisfaction which came from admitting defeat. It gave him a reason to play this little game again some time, and with luck, he would emerge the victor. Although there were certainly worse people to lose to. 

Perhaps, Seth mused, almost embarrassed by the the thought, he might actually pursue her. Just for fun. It seemed like they both enjoyed it.

When the time came for a tour, the smuggler would nod. Jezebel slithered off of the table, making her way back up her human companion and settling on his shoulders. "This isn't quite as bad as I thought." The serpent told him. Seth only have her a cocky smirk, as if all of this had been perfectly planned out, and he'd known that this was exactly how things were going to end up.

He accepted the tour, and would follow Lovina diligently along. It seemed as if there wasn't all that much to see here. Seth made a few silent metal notes. "Which room is yours?" he asked, his eyes trailing over the numerous doors as he passed on by. He registered a few places, imagined just where it was that he would go, and run to if he needed, and make his escape. He listened to her explanations carefully. It sounded a bit like "every woman for herself" when the Eldouir happened to come by. Again, that was something that he could easily work with. It was a mentality he understood. "You got a lookout? Can't imagine that one of those redheads bothers to call ahead." They were never that considerate. The cobra on his shoulders raised her head to the air. Her tongue flicked out, taking in the scents to be found, just one final little check to ensure that everything was as it seemed.

Lovina couldn’t help herself. When he asked which room was hers, the coquettish smile just appeared on her face. It was very, very hard to resist propositioning him again. He probably saw it in her face, maybe not. Lovina was watching her words, but she wasn’t trying to mask her emotions or her amusement, “Mine’s over here,” she lead him to her room and habitually reached for the door knob, cracking the door open before she realized what she’d was doing. It wasn’t often that she had a man follow her to any of the rooms when there was no intention of bedding each other. Unless he seemed interesting in taking a peek or even going in, she shut it almost as soon as she’d opened it. She turned her back to the door, leaning against it, an almost winsome smile on her face. She pointed at another door with her head, “The one next to mine is nice. No one has a permanent claim on it.”

“No official lookout,” she admitted, “We all sort of keep an eye out, but Ona is usually aware of when they’ll drop by…although they do tend to dance to the beat of their own drums.” She shrugged, “I just take it day by day.”

Seth followed her diligently, like a tourist being shown around a monument of some particular note. He was a little bit disappointed that he didn't get a glimpse of the room. He would have liked to do so. Did she view it as a place of work, and therefore kept it as a purely utilitarian space, or did she allow a little bit of herself to be shown. Oh well... He figured that he might well see the room in good time. When she spoke about the room next to hers, a slightly mischievous smile would creep onto his face. He put an arm out, and leaned against the door that she had just spoken about. "Well then, I know where I'm going to be bunking down." There was a comfort to knowing just who he was sleeping near to. There were many people around here. Some he was certain would be fine, others... Well, Eirwen certainly sounded like a character. Even if she didn't live here. He definitely didn't want to be anywhere near where she might be settling down. 

"I can work with that." Day to day sounded like a decent way to live his life. It would provide him with some of the freedom that he knew he was going to need in the coming few days/

Oh yes, she liked this one. He met her overt flirtatious playfulness with his own, and oh was it simply delightful. It was quite the change from the drunken sloppiness that she normally encountered. She’d mirror him, leaning a shoulder against the wall, facing him. With her finger, she’d pull her hair away from her neck, giving him a view of the bared shoulder, “I’m happy it appeals to you,” she crooked her head so that it was also resting against the wall. Perhaps she should have behaved better, but she didn’t particularly care.

“Sounds like you’ll fit in just fine,” she let her tone gain that low, sensual quality again, “Do you have any questions…any requests for me?”