"Do you actually think he's going to make it down here?" Vex asked Brynjolf with an eyebrow raised in pure skepticism. They were sitting at one of the tables in the Ragged Flagon, tankards of ale in their hands as they conversed about this so called 'Valentyne'. Brynjolf was leaning back in his chair, completely at ease as he told his tale about the pretty boy that had actually managed to pull off something he never thought he could. Though he was surprised beyond belief, he hardly let it show to Vex.

"Not at all," He said, taking another drink. Even while he said this, something inside him wanted to believe that the young lad could make it down there. "I doubt he can even find the door to the Ratway with the way he was stumbling around this morning." Vex shook her head, but there was a smile on her face.

"Well, the way you make it sound, we better hope he doesn't or that Khajiit will have your head for leading him into harm's way." Delvin, who had been listening to their conversation from a nearby table, came to sit with them. "She didn't seem too pleasant when she came in earlier."

Brynjolf pondered this idea, but still he couldn't seem to find a bit of worry over the idea of the boy being hurt. He hated to admit it, but he did have a bit of confidence in the boy's hidden talents. Either Valentyne had been lying about never being a part of the thieving business, or he was born with a natural talent. Either way, there was something fascinating about him that led Brynjolf to believe that he could overcome just about any daunting task.

"Even if he does make it to the Ratway, he has a way of making it out of tough situations. He made it through my 'guards' without any problems at all." This was enough to spark their interest. "He just has this way of speech… if anything, we could certainly use him for gaining information." If he would even help with that.

A sudden opening of the door caused all three of them to stand up a bit and look. The flare of red curls caused a grin to appear on Brynjolf's face. "Speak of the devil." They watched as his bouncing little steps made it over to Dirge, in which he had a brief and quick conversation with. It left the man confused and dazed as Valentyne bounded over to the three at their table, a smile on his childish face.

"Well, well. Color me very impressed lad; I didn't expect you to make it." Brynjolf looked the boy over quickly. And without a single scratch. Vex and Delvin also seemed surprised at this, and the fact that he was so petite for a boy. They had been told by Brynjolf that he was very feminine and frail looking, but they hadn't expected it to be to this extent. He couldn't be older than ten by the look of him.

"You shall not get rid of me that easy, Brynjolf," He said, chin held up with pride. "But I do believe I have won our little bet, rather well actually. So, if you could please, I would appreciate my ring back." Brynjolf looked at him with a bit of surprise. Before he had left him in the market area, Valentyne simply said he would let him know what he wanted when he arrived. "As I've told Durga many times, you doubt my skills far too much."

Brynjolf's smile only widened as he pulled out the string with the silver ring. When the two had first arrived in Riften, he had had his eyes set on recruiting the Khajiit because of the known thieving talent of her race. Noting the closeness she had to Valentyne, he had taken the ring without their noticing when they entered the Bee and Barb in the hopes of her wanting to help him out in return for it. He didn't know how Valentyne realized this, but somehow he had and it left him with a wonderful feeling of pride in the boy.

"Sharp eye, lad. You certainly have your share of surprises." Valentyne took the ring and tied it back around his neck with a grin. "How did you figure out I took it?"

"My ring looks far too cheap and… shall we say, not appealing? Most thieves wouldn't bother themselves with it, especially with my coin purse being out for the eyes to see so plainly. Last night I didn't get a single moment of slumber, so I managed to sort this whole cluster of a mess out. I know of the Khajiits' talent for thievery, and by the disappointment on your face last night I figured that your real intent was to recruit Durga into this little business you have under the streets of Riften. You judged that Durga was close to me, thus if you managed to get me in a panic, Durga would immediately feel obliged to help you out to gain my ring back. In the most complete honesty, it was just a simple guess." His voice had been one of the most appealing things the three had heard in a long time, and they found themselves sitting at the very edges of their seats to listen to his theory. He had every detail precise.

"Seems you have more talent then you let off." Delvin mumbled, seeming to alert to Valentyne that it wasn't just himself and Brynjolf.

"Oh, excuse my rudeness. I did not even notice the company we had. My name is Valentyne, but if you prefer a shorter term for it, you may simply call me V. I harbor no preference in the matter." After the introductions were given, Valentyne sat down next to Brynjolf, quiet once more, but the pride was still clear on his face.

"So tell me, V," Vex began, gaining the boys attention. "How did you manage to make it down here?" To this, Valentyne beamed; eager to tell this tale as well.

"Well, it was quite simple really. Although I could have had a word of warning to the delinquents I had to face." To this, Valentyne gave a weary glance to Brynjolf, who smiled back at him. "The first three were rather easy to get by. They figured I was just a waste of time, I do believe, to fight me. I slipped by them without a single word. It was the last one that gave me trouble. I simply had a little chat with the man, explained what I was doing and how I had to prove that I could actually make it down here. The only thing I really had to do was tell him a little story of mine, and he was all fine and well to let me pass by."

"So you're a bard, then?" Delvin asked as he took a sip of his ale.

"That I am, and have been since I could muster a proper sentence." That would explain the appealing texture of his voice. Although, even for a bard there was something even more appealing to the way he approached a conversation. Brynjolf still had to figure this little part out, but he was certain that he had had enough surprises for one day.

"Well lad, your friend should be back soon. How about a drink before you go? It'll be on me." Before Valentyne could speak a word of protest, Brynjolf was calling over a man and asking for another tankard of ale. Valentyne's grimace was quickly driven away. He was used to this, and as always would suffer through it.

"Wait, Bryn, is the boy even old enough to drink?" Brynjolf hadn't even thought about this, and he looked over to Valentyne quickly. Valentyne had a look of disappointment on his face. For the first time, he felt self-conscious about his childish features. This was what made him speak the truth without thinking of how lying would get him out of an upset stomach later.

"I may seem the age of a child, but I certainly am not one. I have almost nineteen years on my life." The protective nature of his words and the way his frown looked to be a pout made the three laugh. When the man brought back the ale, the others in the tavern began to take notice in Valentyne. They slowly began to wander over, talking to the boy in disbelief and curiosity. Some took kindly to his presence, and others, such as Dirge who was still upset about the way the boy had left him in a daze, were not too pleased that he was there. Valentyne shared stories with them like the natural born bard he was, and soon the greater half of the Guild was laced around the boy's finger.

Brynjolf could only sit back and watch with pleased amusement. In the end, he had made out better in the deal. Somehow, he had to manage to keep the boy with them. It could mean the rebuilding of the Guild if he stayed.

"Seems like you actually made quite the catch with this one, Bryn." Delvin sat next to him, also seeming to be pleased with the boy. The past few recruits had been complete failures. Most couldn't even make it the Flagon, and the ones that did were dead by the first job they were given. This boy had somehow managed to make quite the name for his self already. The surprise was a rather pleasing one.

"Aye… That I did. The lad has talent. If only we could teach him to waver away from his strict morals and get him to stay." Brynjolf smiled at the boy, and when Valentyne glanced over at him, he smiled as well. It hadn't been one of those half smiles he did when just trying to please someone. It wasn't even one of pride. It was a smile of sincerity and understanding. It lit up his face in such a way that Brynjolf almost believed that he wasn't really a boy at all. A woman trapped in a man's body was what he saw, for no Nord man, half or not (for Valentyne had told them of his racial background earlier), was that gentle and kind.

"Bah, after spending a few more hours with us, he won't want to leave. He already seems to be having a grand old time." Brynjolf could barely hear him; he was still contemplating over his idea of the boy's smile. It was true that the boy was fascinating and full of surprises, but sometimes he just caught Brynjolf completely off guard.

A few more hours could not be given in the end, for Durga walked through the door from the Ratway Vaults not too long after. Behind her, an elder man was walking quickly at her heels. Valentyne's eyes immediately lit up, and he waved her over.

"Great you have your ring back," Durga said as she noticed the string around his neck. "That means we can leave right away to Riverwood. Delphine will be waiting for us and… V, are you drinking?" The disbelief in her voice was clear as she stared at the tankards next to him. In the past hour or so he had been down there, he was offered drink after drink from the thieves. He grinned nervously at her, and Durga only shook her head. "Learn to say no, V. Now you'll be getting sick all the way there." It was true; already he could feel the nausea rolling through his gut.

"You don't drink, lad?" Brynjolf asked with slight disbelief, and the rest of the tavern seemed to be in a state of shock as well. They had all seen him drink each tankard he was given with ease, and had shown no signs of distaste to it.

"No," Durga said immediately, used to answering for her friend. "His stomach rejects every bit of alcohol it takes in. V just has this horrible habit of being unable to say no to just about everything." Valentyne hung his head a bit, scratching the back of his neck. Brynjolf saw this as his only chance to convince him to stay and seized the opportunity

"Well he certainly won't be fit for travel if that's the case, especially if you're going to Riverwood." Many of the people in the tavern looked at him skeptically. Brynjolf wasn't cold hearted, and it was true he cared for the people he called family. But he barely knew Valentyne. It seemed as if only Vex and Delvin knew the real idea behind this 'worry'. "Let the lad stay here while you go, we can watch over him."

Durga watched him for a moment, slightly confused at his offer. Valentyne too, seemed a bit uneasy at this idea. Or it was just the nausea, he couldn't tell at that point. True, he had taken a liking to these thieves surprisingly, but he didn't know how he would feel about staying with them until Durga came back for him. It left him feeling terribly vulnerable whenever Durga wasn't close. She was his shield and, in most cases, his stability. Without her he couldn't imagine being confident at all. Then again, as he thought over Brynjolf's offer, he came to the realization that he had just been perfectly confident with a group of thieves surrounding him.

"Maybe that would be best, Durga." Valentyne said at last, sparking a bit of surprise in Durga's eyes. "I would feel horrid if I slowed you down on your trip back to Riverwood. Besides, it is about time I learn to live without you, is it not?" He held her steady gaze for a moment, watching the wheels in her head turn. Durga hated to admit it, but she had actually begun to enjoy the boy's company. If anything, he was the only one who could cease her ever flaring impatient anger. And he was one of the best conversational companions she knew, always full of words of reassurance and logic. His optimism was what got her through the grueling days of non-stop travel.

"You're sure V?" She finally asked, and to this Valentyne beamed with such assurance on his decision that she didn't even need the swift nod of his head to know he had meant it. She sighed, but returned his smile. "Alright, I'll be back as soon as possible." She turned to Brynjolf, glaring in a rather threatening manner. "I expect him to still be in one piece when I arrive back to get him, Nord. I don't think I need to mention the consequences if he isn't." Brynjolf simply nodded and smiled at her, avoiding showing any form of worry about her threat.

Valentyne walked Durga to the door, the elder man following close behind. As they said their goodbyes, Durga leaned in close to the boy's ear, whispering something in utter secrecy. Brynjolf found this rather odd as the Khajiit left, but tried not to wonder about it too hard. It didn't seem to faze Valentyne at all, so he didn't let it him bother him either.

But as the boy walked back to the tavern area, her words clearly rang in his ears when the thieves let out a slight cheer at their new found ally.

I know they seem nice now, V. But I doubt they'll take too fondly on the little tidbit of information about yourself that you fail to let people know about.

~Authors Note~

And there is the third chapter~! Personally one of my favorites so far, mainly because of the interaction Valentyne gets to have with the other Guild members. I just love them all, I can't help it. The next chapter might take a bit longer to upload, being that tomorrow is Saint Patrick's Day and all and I have plans. But I also need to do some serious editing to do on it. Trying to come up with Valentyne's deeper details while writing the story probably wasn't the best idea, but at least it'll be interesting! Once again, reviews and favorites are appreciated! That is all for now, ciao~!

Yours Eternally, Erin