The old thief was shuffling uncomfortably on his barstool. The Bee and Barb was much warmer today than usual, his guild leathers were itching uncomfortably, and his heart beat too fast for his own good,
All of these impressions indicated something to Delvin Mallory that he refused to accept. Something that had not happened to him in decades.
Delvin Mallory, Master thief, senior member of the Thieves Guild, former member of the Dark Brotherhood, was nervous.
He took another sip from his tankard, praying for the mead to help him calm his nerves. He was here on a mission. He needed to get laid.
His target was sitting on a table behind him, all alone for once. All Delvin needed to do now was grow a pair of balls and walk over to her.
He sighed. Brynjolf made it all sound so damn easy!
Haelga was known to be easy. She really shouldn't be much of a challenge, but Delvin still felt his palms grow cold with sweat. He tried to remember the past, a time when he was young and handsome, and the women were waiting in line to get some of his attention – but sadly that past was never his. He'd never had much luck with the opposite sex.
With all the stealth he could muster, he pulled a few pieces of paper from one of his pockets. The notes that held the results of his latest research. The advice his good friend and colleague had given him.
The Breton sighed once again, his eyes shuffling over the scribbled notes. He could do this! He had to!
With a not-so-graceful movement he stood up on wobbly legs and forced himself to keep his chin up. Confidence, it was all about confidence. Easy for Brynjolf to say, the man was a con-man for Ysmir's sake!
A few steps later Delvin found himself standing beside Haelga, who had just finished her dinner. He took a deep breath, made sure he held himself straight and tried desperately to keep his voice steady as he finally found the courage to speak up.
"Is that seat taken?"
Haelga looked up at the thief, then at the obviously vacant chair. And back at the thief.
Smart move, Mallory he inwardly scolded himself.
Her eyes narrowed as she appraised his attire. It only dawned on him that his Guild had had some not-so-pleasant business with the woman he decided to woo, and maybe a change of clothes would have been appropriate. Ah well, too late for that now.
Obviously thinking he was here about business, she just nodded at the chair in defeat.
The thief took his sweet time getting comfortable, all the time knowing Haelga's eyes were resting on him, expecting him to do or say something.
He swallowed and tried to remember what Brynjolf had told him. He had her attention, so what was next?
Sadly he couldn't remember for the life of him, so he'd have to improvise.
"Nice evening, isn't it?"