"Well! Look who decided to drop in!" Brynjolf called as six cloaked figures made their way into the flagon.
"Hello!" A young girl's voice answered.
"Mind if we join you this evening?" Astrid asked as she and several more of her "family" members entered the damp, musty bar. Following her were a small girl child, a Redgaurd, a tall, burly looking Nord, and an Imperial in jester's garb. They were not unknown to the members of the thieves' guild; on the contrary, one could almost call them friends.
Mercer scoffed at the congregation, but his displeasure was not shared by the rest of the flagon's occupants.
"Not at all, we're glad to have you. Pull up a seat. Have a drink." Delvin offered.
"So what brings you to Riften? Business or pleasure?" Mercer growled.
"What's the difference?" Astrid laughed.
"Just a typical family outing, then?" said Mercer, "I only ask because usually when your people drop in on someone, they tend to end up dead."
"Well, we couldn't come to Riften and not stop for a drink with our favorite rival faction," said Astrid as she received a welcoming hug from Sapphire. "I hope we aren't interrupting."
"No, no! You're more than welcome. We were just thinking about what to do this fine evening. You turned just in time to save us from ourselves," said Brynjolf.
"Why? What did you have planned?" Babette asked.
"Nothing a sweet little lass like you should get mixed up in," Brynjolf said with a wink. Babette grinned wickedly, revealing her pointed fangs.
"Oh I don't know. You're making it sound exactly like the kind of activity I would want to get mixed up in."
"Well, if you must know, Delvin and I were thinking of having a little game of truth or dare to pass the time."
"Oh I love 'truth or dare'!" Babette gushed, "I want to play!"
"Cicero too, Cicero too!" Cicero cried, leaping into the air with each assertion.
"Truth or dare is a children's game. I say we cut out the 'truth' part and just stick with 'dares'. More exciting that way," said Tonilia.
Suddenly Mercer perked up. "Well if the Brotherhood is going to get involved with this, I say we raise the steaks a bit. 100 gold buy in, winner takes all."
"Hmm, that does sound fun. What do you think, Brothers?" Astrid said as Babette gave their male companions a pleading look.
"If Astrid's playing, I'm in." Arnbjorn said quickly, and Astrid smiled at him.
"First things first. We need to establish some ground rules. Nobody gets killed." He glanced meaningfully at Astrid, "No disrespect, but it's bad for business. Second, don't leave Riften. Take too long, otherwise." The group nodded compliantly. "Tonilia will watch the pot, so no need to worry about that," Brynjolf snorted but Mercer ignored him, "Oh and no lying about the dares either. If you have to leave the flagon, someone has to keep an eye on you. Alright? Anyone has any objections they can keep them to themselves."
"Anyone got dice we could use?" Tonilia asked the room, "Dice that aren't loaded or enchanted I mean," she added when she saw both Delvin and Brynjolf's trick dice hit the table. Finally Vex slapped a patent leather purse on the table.
"Fine. Just nobody lose them okay? Real ivory, damn things are worth a fortune,"
Delvin reached for the purse but Brynjolf stopped him.
"Wait! A toast first, to a fair game and good luck to all!" The room cheered, "Now let's start this damn thing!"