Always in the Alleyways (Ephraim)

[Aello]

As Aello watched her arrow fly through the night, she lowered her bow, and plucked another arrow from her quiver. She held it delicately between her fingertips, the raven feathers quivering in the wind. Deftly, she weaved the arrow onto the bow string with her right hand. Click, within a matter of seconds, Aello had reloaded her bow, and was slowly raising it for another attack. The three middle fingers of her right hand were tugging the bowstring behind her right ear as she closed her left eye again, and the sound of Ephraim hitting the water reached her ears. Aello smiled wickedly, well someone is diving for cover... literally. The bow was raised now, the tip of the arrow following a dark blob on the water, what she assumed was the man's head. She could have sworn she could just make out a deep yellow-outline, an aura of his fear, and her smile widened. She could sink him now, if she really wanted. "Aww... the poor little half-blood, sinking after the first shot," Aello mused, her voice playful and cold. "How very unfortunate when one would have hoped that he'd provide her with just a bit more sport. But alas, things may not always go as on wishes, can they snake-boy?" Aello asked, her voice growing colder as she spoke, darker along with the sky. "Especially now that you have lost... after all, there is no way left for you to run. No where for you to go within these city streets where you may not be followed. Assuming, you don't drown. Say snake, what's it like swimming with only one good foot?" Aello asked, not truly knowing if she had hit him, but assuming she had after his outbursts and search for freedom in the disgusting, Lake Ravok. "What's it like trying to swim when you are busy losing your life force? When you are bleeding out? And being drowned by that which is supposed to keep you warm, as opposed to locking in the cold?" Aello could sense it now, the fluttering of the raven feathers below the water. She could vaguely make them out in her mind's eye, flowing slowly, silently, like the tail of a fish. You made your mark, her mind whispered, making it more and more difficult for her to concentrate on her task, after all, if he was already hit, and so pathetically weak, she should have finished him off by now. Let him drown in the lake with all of the others. Those who have lost both their names and their faces. Those who have lost it all; their identity. Aello's head was pounding, you need to finish this before you exhaust yourself completely, her mind whispered as she lowered her bow. He was not worth another arrow; one should be enough to drown him, and if he dared come after her, she could always finish him off with the dagger. Slowly, delicately, she plucked the arrow from the bow and returned it to the quiver, before retrieving the rest of her things. "Have a nice night," she called over her shoulder with a wicked laugh, her eyes sparkling like the stars. "Do try not to drown, you'd be missed so very much," she said, as the words her mind whispered faded away. Moments later, like the words, Aello was fading into the night; out of the half-blood's sight. OOCSorry to (try to) end so abruptly. Aello, you see, is very taxed by her magic, and is bored by those she deems easy to kill. Thus, I am not sure she'd actually stick around. Besides, if she had, she'd probably seriously injure your pc, (or try), which I doubt you'd like... Anyway, should she meet your pc again, she will try to kill him, unless she doesn't recognize him... or finds him trustworthy/not a threat, by reading his aura.

[Ephraim]

1st day of Summer, 511 AV Ephraim fought to remain on the surface, every move of his leg was sending surges of pain throughout his body. The mixed blood gritted his teeth and watched the girl pulling another arrow from a quiver. He breathed in sharply, knowing his life was hanging by a thin thread of good will. A good will the woman didn't have to posses. She taunted him, mocked. It hurt even more than the wounded foot. Ephraim remained silent; muscles of his jaw tensing. Pain was getting worse and he had to grab the boat to stay afloat. It should also suffice for an answer to this crazy girl. The racist insults were something he was used to, yet always caused anger. But what was much worse was the helplessness, the snake-boy had no way out. His nostrils fluttered frantically and heart wanted to jump from his ribcage. Eph's yellow eyes scanned the woman's features memorizing every detail, as if drinking strength from this. The second arrow was still pointed at him; Ephraim wished he was a full Dhani, even if they were monsters. He could just eat this bitch alive. The bitch who suddenly said her goodbyes and vanished into the night...Ephraim was too surprised to even react. He was prepared for much more torment. On the other hand she had left her possible assailant alive. In truth Eph couldn't even tell why she had attacked him; the mixed blood was pretty sure now the girl was completely out of her mind. ”Mages...” He scoffed with disdain, although he was still unsure she was a witch. He had heard the art could drive you crazy, even turn into some kind of a monster. At least simple folk was saying this and after today Ephraim had no problem in believing them. Slowly, when was sure the crazy girl was not going back, he pulled himself on the boat. Hissing in pain. For now he couldn't feel any emotions, nor dread, relief or anger. Maybe it was because of a shock, maybe something else in his nature could make him lock away all feelings and just focus on action. The time for stress will come when he would be safe. Ephraim sat down and looked over his foot. There was no way he would walk with the arrow sticking out of his appendage like that. The mixed blood gritted his teeth and decided to act, although it was something he only observed how had been done. He touched the arrow slowly but pulled his hand when pain shot up his leg. Ephraim cursed loudly and dug nails in a deck of the boat. The mixed blood breathed in and decided to try again. He placed his hands again on the arrow gently, yet still could feel dull, throbbing pain. Pressing his jaw together, the half-Dhani pressed on the arrow and snapped it in half. Ephraim muffled a scream and fell flat on his back, nearly passing out from pain. He breathed in slowly, now feeling this injury even in his lungs, every breath was making his injured foot to hurt. Tears trickled down his cheeks, but the mixed blood was able to sit down again. Eph was ready to give up, knowing the worst part was coming now. After a moment to catch his breath, Ephraim was sure the pain was not going to be any lesser and this time decided to act even quicker. He caught an arrow by it's head and pulled, so that broken end was pulled through the injury. This time the young mixed blood couldn't hold back a scream and the night was torn by a cry of pain. It was like a hot flash light exploding under his skull. He couldn't be sure but most likely he had passed out for few moment. Two parts of the arrows laid discarded on the bot, that was now all covered in his blood. Someone will have an unpleasant surprise in the morning...Despite the weakness and loss of blood Eph dragged himself off the boat and into the water then on the shore. It cost him too much strength and for another few moments he laid face down on the street, dripping pinkish water. That was then he decided he should kill that bitch when he would get the chance... Before the dawn Ephraim already had his foot bandaged and was few golden mizas short for the doctor's attention. Though he still was sure what had suffered most was his pride and not the unlucky foot...

OOCSorry for the long wait, but was away till yesterday D: I think it is ready for grading! Thanks for the thread

[Verilian]

Aello +2 Meditation +3 Observation +3 Auristics +4 Intimidation +1 Shortbow Lores: Dealing With Streetrats, Barely Veiled Threats, Nobody Runs from Aello Losses: -1 Arrow Ephraim +1 Running +2 Acrobatics +2 Observation +2 Intimidation +2 Swimming Lores: Falling to the Rescue, Hidden Insults, Diving for Cover, An Encounter with a Crazy Lady Expense: -8gm (standard doctor fee) Injury: Arrow Wound to the Foot - will take approximately 30 days to fully heal with treatment, will be sore for most of the season It Gets Worse: After the tenth day or so, the wound becomes infected. This is due to the horribly unsanitary waters of Lake Ravok. Must seek treatment, IC, or risk losing the foot. Solo it or seek out a doctor PC. PM if you have questions. You Question My Logic? : Any questions on anything, send me a PM. Notes: Try not to take the injury personally. Gotta keep things realistic here. A great thread, I enjoyed reading it. Keep up the good work!