Do All Gnomes Have Huge Stones?
Rezp was in the middle of taking a drink of water to wash down the taste of meat and potatoes, from his previous mouthful of stew, when he suddenly caught a pointy red intrusion out of his peripheral vision and inside the confines of his personal space. He flinched as he turned, quickly sizing up the potential threat that had been able to take a seat beside him without detection. While he looked like he had just simply turned slightly to face the gnome, his other hand had already stealthily retrieved a dagger and was palming it from detection.
He must have been too focused people watching to notice him approach his booth. Rezp was ultimately unable to hide his surprise but just able to keep from coughing on the liquid going down his throat. His facial expression was confused and unclear as to this peculiar meeting. He couldn't help but look up and around the tavern quickly to see if someone had put the Gnome up to this like a dare. He then returned his attention back to Norman and looked to see if he was inebriated to a point of foolishness.
"Greetings, friend! My name is Norman," he said, offering Rezp a tankard of bubbling ale. "You may have heard of me. I'm the renowned Gnomish warrior, and I lead a daring adventuring company. I can tell that you've got a skillset that we could make good use of. Care to hear more?"
Rezp raised an eyebrow as he measured Norman up and down. What was this gnome playing at? He lowered his spoon and slowly took the tankard of bubbling ale with a slight gesture of thanks. He placed the beverage down on the table with no intention in drinking it. Rezp stuck to drinking water only when given the chance. The reason, because it was easier to hide a wider variety of poisons in beverages with strong flavors ... like ale. In addition, he didn’t take drinks from others for a similar reason. It wasn't Norman's fault Rezp was mistrusting. Dark Elves learned early in life it was prudent not to even trust their own loved one. Returning his attention back to the Gnome, Rezp assessed his three claims.
I'm the renowned Gnomish warrior, and I lead a daring adventuring company.
Rezp had no knowledge of Norman's name, title, or occupation. Nor had he ever seen evidence to back up the proclamations. At face value, those two claims both seemed highly unlikely. He also knew that he didn't know everything; however, and would therefore have to take the stance of neither believing it outright nor dismissing it outright.
I can tell that you've got a skillset that we could make good use of.
The third claim made Rezp instantly cautious that the plucky Gnome was trying to sale him on something. How could he tell that he had a skillset that could be of good use? They did not know one another, nor had ever crossed paths before. This made him believe it was a default comment based on the fact he was a dark elf. The stereotypes of his race were not noble or good. Did he have something illegal that needed to be done and thought a dark elf would jump at the chance to do it? He couldn't help but laugh inwardly at himself, having just come from murdering and stealing.
The Dark Elf regarded Norman skeptically with a raised eyebrow. Rezp instantly learned that Norman could talk, and talk fast. The best course forward would be to let him speak his entire peace before trying to get a word in edge wise. He patiently waited ... and waited ... and finally ...
"We're here, you and I. Not because anyone wants us here. But because they need us here. Will ye join me for this grand adventure?" Norman brought his little speech to its crescendo.
Rezp shifted slightly further away so he didn't feel like he was craning his neck down at the Gnome. This Gnomish Warrior had balls bigger than he was with a presentation like that, he thought. A very slight smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a mix of amusement and skepticism dancing within his obsidian eyes. When it was finally his turn to respond, he spoke with calmness and a touch of his own wit.
"Interesting." Rezp began, his voice carrying a hint of playful skepticism.
He paused for a moment, considering Norman's proposition. While he appreciated the conceptual notion of camaraderie and having friends who had his back, Rezp remained wary, a natural trait cultivated through his experiences in the shadows.
"You make a convincing case, Norman," Rezp continued, his tone polite yet cautious. "But forgive me if I harbor a touch of skepticism. It's not every day that a renowned warrior approaches a humble Dark Elf like myself with such an offer. There must be something exceptional about my skillset that has caught your attention."
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on Norman's. "While I appreciate the idea of achieving more together than through our separate efforts, I must inquire: What assurances can you offer? How can I trust that your adventuring company is as tight-knit as you claim? That you are as great a warrior as your enthusiasm claims? And, forgive my directness, but what's in it for you? What do you hope to gain from my presence? Or what is it you would specifically have me do? What reward is there other than doing the world good against evil?"
Rezp's words held an underlying inquisitiveness, his calm charisma shining through as he sought to unravel the motivations behind Norman's proposal. Rezp could see potential merit in the proposal, potential being the operative word. To him potential was just a nice way of saying that something akin to ~You haven't done anything yet.~, but he also understood the importance of discernment and ensuring that his own interests aligned with those of the group.