The Dead-Eyed Fish Inn

[The Stranger]

"You're either good with your blade or you're fish food on the Iron Islands Stone. If you want to play with the fellas, you gotta learn to play rough." She punched him in the arm, hard enough that it stung somewhat, and shoved the handle of her axe into her sash.

[Flex]

Darien, trying not to cradle his arm after the surprise punch, was again surprised by the wildness of this woman, not being used to the type of people the ironborn were. "It was somewhat similar in Qohor, where sellswords would kill each other over a spilled mug of ale." Then he remembered something peculiar the woman had said earlier on. "Ah, you mentioned something called the finger... finger dance! I am not very knowledgable about customes in these islands... what exactly is this finger dance?"

[The Stranger]

Asha smiled, "Relatively simple. The two contestants take turns tossing an axe back and forth to each other, until someone fails to make the catch, and.. usually loses a finger."

[Flex]

Darien's eyes widened at the complete insanity of this so called 'dance'. "That is... well, quite... interesting... I see you still have all your fingers so I am guessing you are quite good at this... dance." As they entered the inn he walked to the bar and ordered another round. He walked back to the table and noticed there weren't any free seats. He sighed and leant against a wall.

[The Stranger]

Asha approached the nearest Ironborn and smashed him across the face with a Ale Flagon. The light went out of his eyes instantly, and the woman nudged him off the seat.

"There." She said, pointing Darien towards the bench.

[Deleted]

Rolf raised his eyebrow, hiding a grin, as he watched from his own seat.

[Flex]

Darien raised an eyebrow as he took the man's seat. "Thank you for that... I wasn't really inclined to asking him nicely." These people are crazy. he thought. "So Asha, might you know of any other men, or women for that matter, who are able with the sword... or axe?"

[The Stranger]

"Plenty, why?"

[Flex]

"Oh, I heard so much about the ability of the ironborn, yet wherever I look I just see drunkards. Are all the good fighters hiding?" Darien severely hoped the comment would not start a brawl.

[The Stranger]

"They fight hard, and they drink hard, what of it greenlander? You can take your lordly fucking knights and shove them up your ass. I'll take one of the Ironborn against any holier than thou pansy knight any day."

[Flex]

Darien had to surpress a smile. "I do not think much of knights myself, at least not the ones that make it blatantly obvious that they are a Ser. However I can't help but think that drunkeness could severely hamper one's fighting ability... But that may just be me." He knew he ought to leave it at that but someone he had once called his foster father had once taught him manners. "I however by any means did not mean to insult. If there is anything I can do to make up for any insulting I have done, please tell me."

[Deleted]

"We were only curious about the other great fighters of your islands," Rolf added gently.

[The Stranger]

Asha pointed an accusatory finger at Darien, "You shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you." She said irritably.

"What's the matter, I'm not good enough for you now that this big mouth fuck gave me a little bump on the head? I'll take him again. Him or you or anyone else you want to name." She stood, her hands on her hips, fingers just inches from the handle of her axe. The other ironborn, inch away slowly, concerned they'll take a blow in her back swing.

[Flex]

"Oh no, I still believe you are a very fine axe-woman, and even though quality beats quantity I am in needs of hiring more than one person." He then remembered Asha's threat and shut his mouth quickly.

[Deleted]

"Not at all," Rolf assured her. "We came for you, and you alone. Sit down, my lady. Do not take offense where none was meant."