Jayce sat hunched over the sticky bar top, fingers drumming an impatient rhythm as his eyes scanned the shadowy interior of the Zaunish dive. The air hung heavy with the stench of cheap liquor and cheaper company. What in the hexes was he doing here, in this death trap of a pub, no less?

His mind replayed the heated argument with Viktor on a nauseating loop. A damn cog, can you believe it? Their partnership had always been a powder keg, but these days, the slightest spark threatened to blow the whole damn operation sky high. He needed a goddamn vacation from Viktor's unhinged antics before he did something he'd regret.

Lost in thought, it took a moment for him to register that someone had sat beside him. "Apologies for the blunt question, but what brings someone like you to a joint like this?" Jayce asked, immediately cringing at the clumsy line. Smooth, Talis. Real smooth. "I'm Jayce, by the way. Just... trying to take the edge off a shit day." He extended a hand in greeting, despite his better instincts screaming at him to cut his losses and bolt. There was just something about this person that gave him pause.