False Start (Solo)

by **Valorae** on May 20th, 2012, 12:45 am

27 Winter 511 A.V.; Callik’s Place

Valorae sat in the dark corner of the end room to her own peace. Her hand was posted against her knee for her heads sake as a throbbing ache rang throughout her cranium. Her armor was beside her, but her sword was ready at her hilt. It had all been so unexpected, confusing, and stressful. She had spent the last… it had been so long, so very long… She was tired, worn by the exhaustion that persisted over days lost in her mind. Syna had passed over her each day, unblinking. Maybe she had known Valorae would be safe?

The flashbulb memory went off again, the Ukalas, the radiance from Syna that flooded the world as she stared upon Valorae. Valorae’s eyes fluttered under her lids as she tried to see it clearer, struggling to focus on this ethereal image burned into her head while combating the darkness around her. She tried to open her eyes and see Syna’s face, but she couldn’t, and then the image was gone.

She then sat, blinking, rubbing her forehead, and waiting for what would come next. It was always a wait, waiting, waiting, waiting for what would come next.

The mission was aborted last night, some bells after Syna had settled over the horizon and the cloak of night settled over them. Someone tipped off the mission. Who? Wasn’t that the mystery? It hardy concerned her. She had been used. A pawn, she was nearly the killed outright by a mercenary brigade.

It was the unexpected turn of events to an unexpected end. It wasn’t the Blood Pits, but was it any better, truly? Mission abort suggested so. The moments she heard it stole her fire and soothed her soul. The burning she had to tear forth into the estate, cutting down all who would get in her way, it was gone. Thank the gods? Such behaviors would have gotten her killed sooner than she anticipated. Vengeance, burning vengeance, it was slowly losing its spark.

After they, Valorae, the others, and Craevan – Darian – returned to this Callik’s place, Valorae was mute. She found this spot, the same place she now sat, and rested herself, thinking. Her thoughts had been full of nothingness, as they didn’t occur to her now. What if, how come, maybe, and so on, many questions that ran through her mind over the topic of what could have been rather than what was. She passed out some point in the night after others, save for Craevan and his coworkers – who all seemed too well acquainted – and rested the best she could.

It was morning now, wasn’t it? Syna was overhead. Valorae had no sense of where she placed herself in the sky relative to the time. North could be in any direction to her knowledge. She let her eyes adjust and then dealt with the waking pain. Her mind must have been going all night. The facts as they now stood: there was no going to the Blood Pits, there is hope of returning the favor to Malum, her captors are her allies, Darian is an enigma and Craevan his mask, Syna still did not see her, and she was still alive. There wasn’t much information to base a decision off of.

Valorae sat quietly with her head propped while suffering a head ache. That’s all there really had been to say. It was pitiful that it told so little as to how it had all come to be, and hardly suggested what might come next.

by **Archelon** on May 20th, 2012, 3:55 pm

oocThis is a follow up thread to a modded thread that I am allowing Valorae to do in order to complete a character goal .

Callik, ever the businessman called Valorae before him within the hour. For awhile just staring at the vivacious villian in the making. His gaze boring into her eyes , as if to weigh her soul. As if to have her pinned in place like a bug mounted to a display.

The silence was almost interminable, but was eventually broken. "I Do Believe you have been granted an opportunity to help with a task we needed done. However, sadly it seems someone tipped off those who you were to be involved in heisting the information we needed from. The place was swarming with various mercenaries, almost two hundred by last count and is enough to make Robern become interested in the matter. For all we know he'll be sending the daggerhands to clear the keep out and burn it to the ground.

Worse, the merchant has people running all over the place passing messages. People we wouldn't normally be able to touch. That leaves us with ... well... you as an option to get whatever information we can."

Callik pushed forwards a paper on his desk. It was a paper, filled with five names, times and locations. "Some of these couriers are bound to be carrying fake information, yet hiding in some of the gated communities appartments, or the slums. So the job is rather clear. Track them, find them, kill them. You don't have to get them all, just get the information we need against Shanke and this group he's mixed up in no matter what. If can, make sure its verified. You have about an hour till sunrise. Now, get out of my office."

Valorae would take a look at the paper, and then at the man before wisely picking up the paper and walking out without a word. She was , so far, completely unmolested. Yet deep within her stomach was the nagging feeling that if she failed , who knew? She might be put up on the slave block once again... or worse.

by **Valorae** on August 14th, 2012, 4:52 am

Being called was reminiscent of the first meeting with the gang, sackcloth bag and condescending tones. Valorae caught on quick that she was in no position to question or object to these people, so the meeting with Callik had gone by quickly. She stood before him at ease, her head ache a faint pulsing the back ground. The man talked a lot, and most of it was fluff compared to what she expected. Still, it was interesting enough to hear about the mercenaries.

Math wasn’t her strong suit, yet fragments of the science let her do a bit of calculating. She considered the size of the mills, and how their four or five man troop was ready to go forward on the mission. Two-hundred… That was saying something, and then there was Robern. Though his name was a clean slate in Val’s book, she could tell from the tone of Callik’s voice it meant danger. If that man had the power to take on the mercenary group they had fled from, then yeah, no jokes here. The name Robern Daggerhand seemed to fit the location of the Rotting Mansion somehow. Her trip there in the past, though brief, was impressionable. Even if it was just a working alias, his last name clearly false to Valorae’s knowledge, it was a working base.

It started to become clear that her service was not yet fulfilled. Who keeps a girl locked up and fed to give her away? This wasn’t an orphanage. In fact, it was turning into a mouse chase. Cat and mouse, the cat is a tigress, the mouse is beyond dead. Better yet, mice; the mice are dead.

Valorae eyed the paper slid forth before reaching for it. A glance to Callik and his gestures dropped a hint for the dolt. She gingerly reached for the note and brought it closer to read the chicken scratch. Valorae started reaching the information off to herself, a nod of the head with each collective bit reviewed. Her eyes went between the note and Callik trying to keep a tab on him, and what he had to say. Gated apartments and slums? Joy, oodles of it… Valorae just couldn’t help to jump at the opportunity. But seriously, this was pretty annoying. The order to dispose of the messengers was the highlight of her day, perhaps even her life to this point.

Valorae took pause to glance at the note. Once finished she looked up at Callik. He had dismissed her already. What the hell did the girl want? She was looking him over, gathering a good portrait of the man. It was just part of the Myrian mentality it could be said. If something bad happened, she’d be coming for Callik, and wanted a good look at him. She noted his eye color, hair color, a guess of his body build and other dimensions. She knew his face, even if she couldn’t put it to words. The blank stare Callik receive could be taken as unnerving or idiotic. It took another nudge, but Valorae took the hint and left, just not before giving Callik a grin, her lips pulled thin and the tip of her tongue dancing between her teeth.

Valorae was about to walk out the door before she remembered what he mentioned about dawn. She reached up and noticed her head was relatively normal, no horns. She had almost forgotten. She shrugged it off, and went out the door. What a way to go, clad in leather, armed with short sword, and really no idea of what she was doing. Callik might as well have sent Darik.

by **Valorae** on August 14th, 2012, 4:53 am

She saw what Callik meant outside. The sky was still a dark blue, though the horizon was beginning to lighten. In the coming bell of morn, the sky lit up with hues of pink and purple in the zenith. Leth’s glow seemed hazy in the sea side mist that clouded the sky so high up. Syna’s rays were readily wrapping the world, even if her glowing body was still hidden. Valorae suddenly felt anxious. This would be her first sun rise in a long time. A long time… She couldn’t put a number to it.

Having no idea where she was, Valorae started down the alley back out to the street. It was a quiet walk, more of her not wanting to disturb those still sleeping than muffle her movements. The thought of mornings for her was to rest. She herself usually wasn’t up for another few hours. Valorae looked down at her feet with each step, watching she went from toe to heel each step, reaching out a comfortable distance. Somehow, being in the street made the world seemed a bit brighter, and so Valorae took another look at the list. It seemed a bit suspicious running around with a list like that, didn’t it? She certainly wasn’t out to shop for produce, not with that awfully big knife at her side at least. The first location on her list was the slums. The listed time gave her half a bell to reach the place, and then the fun would begin. Valorae stuffed the list in her beast when she was done with it.

She walked out to the middle of the walk way spanning in both directions. Right hand on her hip, the other on her sword hilt, Valorae pivoted between the two choices. A shuffling in an alley opposite from where she exited made the grip on her sword hilt a bit tighter. She bit the inside of her lip, still anxious at the thought of being so seemingly free, as well as the thought of the coming morning sun.

It was a hesitant step at first, but Valorae took a breath and puffed her chest. Sunberth surely had a taste of bruiser Myrians before. A half breed in some respects, Valorae couldn’t possibly be as bad as her pureblooded brethren. She crossed the way into the alley and kept her façade of confidence about her. Her shaking hand would be easy to overlook in the dark, no?

There was an old man, a beggar she assumed. He was foraging for scraps from the looks of it, the man thin as his bones were wide. Though he still had the inch or two about his torso before he could be called emaciated, he looked to be in piss-poor shape. Valorae was lost, and surely this resident of the city knew his way to the slums.

“Excuse me,” she started, her voice shaking as well, “Excuse me.” The man stopped and turned to her quickly, his face alert, his armed raised up.

“Please, I’ve nothing of worth. I’m just hungry.” His voice was gruff, and smelled. Maybe it was just him in general. It became more apparent as she moved closer.

“No, no… I need help,” said the apparent Myrian. Her tone was strong by default, and her voice deep, rich with the vibrations of the savage tongue native to Falyndar’s jungles. The sound rolled over you. “Here,” Valorae said, reaching to her bosom. She drew out the note and knelt down to the man. She kept her sword capped with one hand, just in case, and on the other side of him for added measure. She was still too trusted about it. “I’m wondering if you know any of these people, or where I can get to the slums, or the ‘community.’”

The man seemed uneasy still. As if an act of bravery, he gently reached out and bent the note to face him. Valorae kept a sharp eye on his hands. For one, she didn’t want this to be the end of her struggles, killed by a beggar. Additionally, she didn’t want to lose the information; she’d be as good as dead then. Finally, there was something odd about his hands. The shifting note moved with a big of a jerk, strength she couldn’t place to such a frame. She had made a personal connection to it all. When you’re down in the dumps, every bit of strength is needed. One becomes desperate, to survive even. This man’s strength, in some ways, was something to admire.

He merely shook his head and let go of the note. Her hand bobbed back to her and she took another look over the list. A hand rose and pointed down the street, as if to go through the building. “That way, slums are that way. The Gated Community is somewhere near there too. Ask around.” He seemed confident compared to the jittery Valorae. She gave him a firm nod and stood up. The man leaned back against the wall of the building and looked up at her. Valorae went to turn, the list well secured in her breasts, when a hand caught her ankle.

Valorae drew the short sword aimed at the man spontaneously, nearly cutting his arm. His own withdrew with speed of its own, light fingers. His hands were up in defense again. Valorae’s heart and head pounded, the man was breathing abruptly. “I just wanted to ask ye’, got anything for me? Ya know, payment for the information?” Valorae shook her head, negative. “Nothin’ at all, not nothin’…” he asked again, slowly reaching for Valorae’s leg again. The sword made a short slash in the wind, and she turned her head to glare. “Aight, alright, go on. I ain’t heard nothin’. I ain’t seen nothin’. I never get to see anything…” Valorae withdrew from the alley way and sheathed her sword while the old man babbled about pretty women. It was taunting, and again a reminder of her unfortunate welcome to Sunberth.

by **Valorae** on August 14th, 2012, 4:53 am

Valorae started on her way, noting the brightening sky. Syna spared no time assuming control today, and each passing moment brought on new brightness. The misted sky cleared, Leth’s face plain to see. Valorae doubled her pace down Sunberth’s street ways for the slums. She was so determined to get there she ignored the change in scenery. She was in the slums.

Valorae started to panic a bit. She was in the Orphanage, and estimated she had a solid five to ten chimes before she’d miss the first target. Miss, not catch. She was already starting to undermine herself. She kept an eye on the eastern sky waiting for Syna. She waited for that divine beam of light to strike her. The Sunset Quarter was just as silent as any other part of the city. Not many seemed to be enthusiastic about the sun rise. Passing through to the Cheap Side, Valorae glanced around for a look at the culture. Not much to be had unfortunately. She found herself caught up in the job, and too focused to distract herself. Her anxiety was getting the best of her. The Myrian body was beyond agitation. Maybe Valorae feared she’d burst into flames when Syna found her long at last. Maybe her prayers would be answered. Maybe she’d answer for her curses.

Among the early goers was a man. His ruddy face and breath told a bit about what he did last night, as well as his loosely belted trousers. Funny things ended up in the Cheap Side. What’s funnier: his joke of a life, or that he gets away with wasting his money away and gets to live here for such little cost? Valorae was welcoming any help now though. He caught her eye, or rather she caught his, and they made eye contact. Valorae went for her breasts and the man smiled.

“Excuse me, I need some help. I’m looking for-“

“Ya, I can help ya, sweetheart. Jus’ com’er, I can help ya…” The drunkard said, reaching for the note’s hiding spot. Valorae drew back though the man pushed on. He stumbled over his steps. It was incredible that he was walking at all, really. The foul odor of his breath reached into Valorae’s nostrils. The severity of the scent reflected in his wrinkled face.

“I don’t have time for this…” Valorae grabbed the drunk’s arm – although she wasn’t after the laughter he returned – and pulled him back, letting him tumble onto the ground.

“Like it rough, do we!” He hollered into the sky, without care for anyone in bed, giggling without much sense at all.

Valorae could feel the pulse in her head; the head ache was just getting worse for her. True to her word, she drew her blade and pointed it to his poorly kept goatee. The giggles stopped, and the glossy eyes now looked up to hers rather than her knockers.

“I’m going to ask you once. Do you recognize any of the names on this list?” She flashed the paper out to the drunk. Pinned against the dark side of the building, it might have just been hard to see, but all he did was whine and grumble. Something about unfortunate ends and bad women was muttered. Valorae reinforced her intent with the sword. It was more of a tool of intimidation than of killing, it seemed.

“That one. I know that one,” he said pointing to the fourth name. “He’s a regular at Ruby’s. Good fella’, nice taste in the women, expensive taste. You’re not gonna’ kill me, are ya?” Valorae withdrew her blade and left the drunk go. She turned back toward the way he had come from. The street was empty, save for Valorae, the drunk, and a boy now walking out onto the street, head down. A weird feeling of relief washed over Valorae. He could have been a witness if she let the event go on any more. The drunk was crawling back to his feet to go home. He started wandering back toward Valorae and the boy.

Valorae, hands free, approached the boy. He tried to duck out of her view, not give her a look or anything. She, however, was determined. The jittery feeling had pretty much left her after drawing her sword on the other man.

“Excuse me could you help me,” she asked, reaching for the boy. His pocketed hands didn’t move a bit when her hand reached for his shoulder. Valorae’s head moved to the side when she wasn’t answered. A firmed grasp on his shoulder, and a tug, got his attention.

“What, what is it?!”

“I was talking to you.”

“Ya, no kiddin’. I’m trying to ignore ya.” His voice carried the hints of a pre-pubescence. He could just as easily be a late bloomer. Regardless, he had attitude of his own and didn’t seem to care for Valorae at all.

“Listen, I just need some help.” Valorae loosened her grasp and dug the list back out with a sigh. She was getting pretty tired of grabbing for her boobs, but really, there wasn’t any place safer to put it on her person. She drew the list for the boy and handed it out for him to read. “Do you recognize the first name?” She hesitated before poorly adding the second part on, “I’m supposed to be meeting him here.” The boy reached for the list as if to take it and read it himself. She pulled it back from his reach and their exchanged dirty looks.

“Wants my help or not?” Valorae snarled and let him hold it. His eyes held steady at the page for a moment before he gave it back. “Sorry, miss, no idea.” He went on his merry way, bowed out, and said, “Good day to ya, miss.” Valorae looked at the coming dawn and back at the list. Had she really missed her first target? This was impossible. She didn’t know any of these people. No one did!

The stumbling drunk to Valorae’s left called outsome nasty words then groaned. Valorae walked the streets of Sunberth before, and did like the kid did, duck her head and kept walking. It was early morning though, and no one else would care to notice. Something else bothered her though. He was far down the street where she left him, quiet, occupied. Valorae looked back at the scene. The man was back on the ground, the boy walking quicker than before, his pace practically doubled. The drunk’s hand was bloodied.

Click, like the final crank of a crossbow…

Valorae stuffed her list back and followed after the boy. Paranoid as Valorae, the boy was looking back over his shoulder too and saw her following. She decided to turn around, so what? Another glance and Valorae was still after him, her eyes looking back over his face. She wouldn’t forget this face, ever. The boy checked his other sides and casually turned the corner. Valorae sped up to follow him into Sunberth’s street. Sun rise was coming, and the city would soon be busy, too busy to chase. She looked around the corner and saw the boy’s left ankle, just that little bit, vanished behind a building nearly a block from the corner. “Shurak…” she cursed, and darted down the side street after the boy, her blade shuffling against her thigh.

A thousand curses surged through her mind as she neared the end of the side street back onto a main one. Back on a main avenue, she broke into a full out spring for the boy. She the dust trail he kicked up. He ducked into another street maybe five ticks ahead of her. She had longer legs, and her body was made for this kind of business. She was gaining on him. Valorae slowed and made the turn to follow after him. The boy was at the end of the block – already?! – and hopped into one of the open windowed buildings that belonged to the Orphanage. It was really more of a leap than a hop, and the kid was a sprinter apparently. Valorae felt her head and heart pound away yet again, now worse than ever.

She dashed up to the window and grabbed hold, though her momentum pushed forward. Grabbing hold with both hands, she jumped up and pulled a knee inside. Her grace was severely lacking when it came to acrobatics such as this, by a boy no less. She got both legs in and landed in the building, the boy moving one way or another. The building was quiet though, and no boards were creaking from a running teen. Valorae started to move through quietly, watching where she looked or walked. The bunks seemed cramped, even for her taste. A movement at the end of the hall…it was the boy peeking out. Valorae started into a full out sprint again after him. He ducked into the hall again.

Valorae nearly rounded the corner when she collided with another child. The boy – easily mistaken for a trainee in the Blood Pits if she had to guess – must have just woken up from the look in his eyes. His slow movement was no match for her momentum though. They both took an unhealthy dive into the wall and floor, the blade thankfully missing them both.

“Watch where you’re walking, you shy-“ The older boy’s eyes settled on Valorae’s blade which she readily reached for. He backed up to the wall, speechless.

The Myrian glare looked at the end of the hall, at a doorway. It was swinging back and forth with no sign of her first target. She looked back at the boob who got in her way. His eyes were fixed on the sword. Valorae pulled it out and swung it around for her sadistic pleasure. He seemed to be scrambling to the door while babbling for mercy before she put it away. Valorae started marching past the kid out the door. The boy’s relief was not long lived as she turned back and got inches from his face with a tiger like growl. The young man, now rightfully recognized as a boy in his stature, screamed and ran back the way Valorae had entered.

She continued on her way out the door, pressing her hands to her forehead. This job was proving as incredibly stressful as it was incredibly impossible. Syna was finally here, marking the hour till the next target. Valorae walked out and found the sun peeking up over the lower buildings. She had missed the first moments of her rise. The burning orb glowed scarlet though the true hues were now hidden by weaving rays of gold. It was bright to look out, and Valorae even felt need to shield her eyes. Rather than burst into flames, Valorae felt something she had forgotten: rejuvenation.

From her eyes outward, the Myrian skin burned away in the sunlight. Her skin lightened to that feathery white tinted with rose and gold, her hair turned blond, and her horns taking form, a bleached white. The ethereal ashes that peeled from her body faded with the final moments of Leth’s presence. Her chest, once pounding, calmed, and her head cleared of all disturbances. At once, Valorae felt herself fill up, all traces of hungry vanquished. The paleness of her skin too faded, and was replaced with a color of sun touched gold. Valorae let out a breath and felt no need or desire to take in another. She wanted the world to freeze in this moment. Alas, it was but another dream as she drew another breath and pulled out her list.

by **Valorae** on August 14th, 2012, 4:53 am

She had missed the only target that would be in the slums. Than the gods, the place was a wreck. Trying to maneuver through the area was a task in itself. At least now she had a taste of Sunberth’s lay out. She recounted her steps, remembering the way back to Calliks’. Looking at her list now, she saw she was on her way to the Gated Community, Silvertongue’s Silver Tongue.

“Charming…” she absently commented on the name before letting her head roll back. Warmed by the sun, Valorae stretched her limbs while walking. She thought to ask about where to find the community before she remembered a very important part of the name: gated. She passed a gate off a while ago, and headed in the direction of it. The gate wouldn’t run from her, right? Throwing an arm over the other and twisting her body around, she stretched out, broke herself back in. It was going to be a long day…

by **Valorae** on August 14th, 2012, 4:54 am

Valorae walked up to the gate to the little safe haven in the hell hole of Sunberth, but not before being cut off by some obnoxious lady cursing about the guards. Jaren Joander was readily at the gate to welcome her, and failed to notice Valorae.

“How dare you, I say how dare you lock me out of my own home! Do I not pay you for this sort of thing! What, what am I to you, some beggar!” The woman was accusing more than questioning.

Jaren handled the woman with uncomplimentary poise, “Of right, of course, yes, yes…” he let her ramble, “Let me get your bath water while I’m at it. Listen, lady, rules are rules. We keep this place as pretty as you like by keep these gates locked at night. One night out in the big, cold world didn’t kill ya, now did it? No, see? Wonderful, now hurry up, you’re scaring away customers. Goldfinger has a business to run, after all.” The woman went through, but not without a pat on the bum from Jaren. She returned the gesture with a slap to the face. He seemed…used to it. Ya, he seemed well aquainted with the hind hand of a woman. He saw Valorae next, and tauntingly swooned, though it was little more than a feint.

“Hello, hello…” Jaren was all ears, and eyes, to Valorae. “Who let pretty little you slip through their grasp. I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. Of course not, Valorae was a no body; no name, no family, nothing.

“Probably not, I’m new around here. This is the Gated Community, right?”

“Yes, ma’am. Name’s Jaren Joander, at your service,” he introduced himself with an ever so knightly bow, surely a stab at the Syliran Knights. “To whom do I owe the pleasure?”

“Listen, I just really need to sneak through here. I have business to attend to.”

“Business ya say? Well, I haven’t heard nothing about any business to be conduted with you. C’mon, now, what’s your name? Maybe I can send a request in to the high and mighty for an audience…?”

Valorae just returned the stare, and reached into her breast again. She figured she could get away with using it as a passing order. Maybe no name would be needed. On the bright side, if she messed up here, Sun’s Birth would have their way with the little spy. Oh wait, bright side… ya, no signs of such things yet. Jaren took the list as she offered it over.

“Silvertongue’s, Goldfinger’s, and Ruby’s? Looking for work or something? What are these names over here, hmm?”

“Appointments, and not really. Can I enter now?”

Jaren looked her over again and stopped at her blade. “Looking to kill someone?” Valorae tensed up. “If so…you might not be needing that right there. All you need are those breathtaking looks of yours.” Then she relaxed. Jaren was proving to be a player more than anything. “Sure, come on in. Gates are open all day, sweetheart,” as he called every woman, as Valorae had seen at least, “and they lock up at night, like sun set. But seriously, try not to kill anyone,” he said with a wink. Valorae was passing through when Jaren gave her a pat on the rear. Valorae let her head down and picked up her pace, walking further into the community and further away from Jaren. She hoped she didn’t have to deal with him when she went to leave. Silvertongue’s Silver Tongue was easy to find, any of the businesses were really. True to their names, there was some elaborate hinting to the name for each. Valorae picked out a spot across from the jewelry store to lean against, and started her stake out. Someone was bound to pass her in an awful hurry at any moment. Now, she was prepared. She knew it could be anyone; she just needed to find the right looking person. Say, that guy over there looks kind of suspicious…

by **Valorae** on August 14th, 2012, 10:32 pm

Valorae noticed a new entry to the compound. Surprisingly, the guards weren’t too worried about Valorae standing a watch of her own. Their job was watching the outside though, right? The new comer was a fairly young man in a hooded cloak looking to be in need of some sleep, or a bath, maybe both. Valorae noticed something about him though that made a bad courier with secret information. He kept looking over his shoulder. Valorae decided to watch a little longer, gather a bit other bits. Taking a rough guess at the time, he was a bit early. Valorae tried to make eye contact. The man looked up at her, and seemed to struggle to look away. He did though, and passed her off and went toward an apartment complex, one building over. She saw him get ready to enter before he gave another scan around to check that it was clear. He disappeared into the apartments.

Valorae pulled her list back out and checked the location for the target. The scribbling made a bit more sense now. She should be following that man. She followed after him and stopped at the door. She wanted to give him the room to breathe easily, and thus not give herself away. Similarly, she couldn’t lose sight of him. Valorae took a calming breath and stretched her shoulders out a moment, then went in.

It wasn’t awfully roomy in the halls. A staircase went downstairs, and at the back end continued up to the higher levels. There were two doors on either side of the hall leading into an apparently small apartment, judging the building’s overall size. An old woman, and apparent resident of the apartment, was heading down the stairs. Valorae took the opportunity. She didn’t lay on the sweetness any more for this old woman than she did for the others. This was business, right?

“Excuse me, could you help me? I’m looking for this person. I’m supposed to meet him here.” Valorae had her list ready and bent for his name. She covered the rest with her fingers, figuring she should try to not flash out her hit list to everyone she asked.

“Let me see… My old eyes need to be good for something, yes?” She let out a sweet laughter. Leaning in close to read clearly, she instructed Valorae, “You’re going to want to go up to the third floor, last door on the left. Alright?” The old woman stopped to take a better look at Valorae, and her eyes widened. Valorae was taken back a bit, as if something were wrong with her. “Why…aren’t you something special…” There was no mocking tone in the woman’s voice. “Mind if I ask what brings you here?”

“Just business… Excuse me.” Valorae darted around the woman not wanting to linger any more. She claimed the stair, one, two levels to the third floor. It was still too early to see much activity, unless the gated community was always so calm. All she heard was some muttering behind locked doors and the creaking of her steps on the old, wooden steps and floors. At last, Valorae came to the door and stopped before it. She thought about how she’d go about it. Good day sir, I’m here to kill you and take the message? Yeah, that ought to do it. Valorae was about to knock at the door when it opened.

“Come in, come in. Sorry I didn’t recognize ya out front.” Valorae entered a bit confused, but didn’t want to pass up another good thing, not after her first failure. The apartment was smaller than she had guessed, and pretty plain. In some respects it resembled Callik’s. It looked like someone could up and leave at any notice. Really, it looked like it was rented out for this kind of business rather than living space.

The man interrupted her observations, “The door was open, so I let me’self in. Nice place, you got here…um…”

Valorae finally caught on, “Right, right… You have the package then?” Package worked. She didn’t know what she was looking for exactly. Information? So telling Callik.

“Don’t ya have the message?” The man was at the door, and she knew she looked really bad. Quickly thinking, Valorae reached for her breasts to draw the paper out. She fought to keep her calm composure. She felt her voice getting knotted up again. She tilted her head to the seating arrangements like she needed to have a word with him, and held the note eye level, the text from his view. The man naively obeyed. “What is it?” he asked, standing before the bed, but showing no intent to sit down.

Valorae reached the list out to him, folded. She figured she could cut him while he was busy reading it. Were they supposed to read these messages anyway? Messages, so she was after messages. The man took the note and looked ready to bolt out of the room. Valorae drew her sword, and they came to a standstill. He glimpsed at the contents of the note then shifted a gaze to Valorae.

“Dirty, filthy, lyin’,” he muttered as he drew a dagger of his own. Valorae fell back into her stance, sword at the ready, and her arm ready to grab him. “So what’s this, lass, they sent you to stick me? Glad to see we’re on the same sides and all. I go running around to collect your dirty papers and this is the thanks I get. Oh, I don’t think so.”

“Drop the dagger and I’ll make it quick,” she proposed, only to be laughed at.

“Ya think I’m plannin’ on dyin’ here? No, not at all. Hur-eh…” he grunted and started after Valorae with his dagger. Valorae’s eyes widened as the little blade was swung so swiftly at her. She jumped back, back again – she was out of room – and parried a shot. The side of her sword made contact with his arm. It cut deep when she pushed him back. “Ya crazy bitch! Ya ain’t takin’ me!” He swapped her dagger to a reverse position and went to strike over hand. Valorae ducked the shot, sloppily tumbling behind him sideways, as his blade went into the door. Valorae got back up again and looked at the man ready for his next attack. He was reaching for the door knob instead when he couldn’t get his weapon out of the door. Valorae lunged forward and grabbed hold of him.

There was some spitting and punching, but Valorae threw him to the bed. Her Myrian strength had not left her. The dusky blue eyes settled on him. This was at an end. The man made a motion to kick Valorae, and she returned with her own claws. Valorae swung wide against his boot, hardly leaving a mark, before she stabbed into his leg. The murderous drive took over. The blade sung as it was pulled from his flesh, the blood splattering back against the wall. The man, preoccupied with his leg, was helpless against her. Valorae lifted her sword with a reversed grasp, and with both hands plunged it through his chest and the bedding. There was no splatter, just the flooding of heart water through the sheets, and out his mouth. He babbled no more.

Valorae had another lapse. Staring at the image of the man with a sword of her chest doubled up. She saw a snake like creature in his place, held to the ground by a crueler looking blade. The scenery flashed between jungle and apartment as she tried to contain herself. Killer, murderer… Was she really any of these things? Was it her fault? She was doing a job and certainly didn’t seek this end on her own accord. She held no love or hate for Krysus. Liar, deceiver… Valorae fell on the floor, her back to the wall, and held her head until her world stopped spinning so much.

When her world was still again, Valorae looked at the mess she had made. Their fight had actually knocked over a chair and some things on a desk. Valorae got up and looked at the still body. The hands had moved to the blade’s sharpened edge. She missed his heart. He had bled to death, trying to pull the sword from his chest. Valorae’s stomach didn’t turn at the thought; somehow the suffering of a victim helped her feel alright. It was the deception behind it that was alien to her, not the final act. The man was bleeding all over the bed. The extended pumping from his heart pumped out more blood than a clean strike could have. The bedding was nearly all sanguine. Valorae went through the room to clean up, put the chair back, pushed things under the bed. That was it…

Valorae drew her blade and cleaned it on the sheets. Before she wrapped the other bedding blankets around the man to roll him under the bed, she took his cloak that was still somewhat intact. A little more coverage wouldn’t hurt. She was careful to not get any blood on her, though she surely stepped in a seeping puddle. The iron scent started to fill the room. It was crude clean up. An extra sheet was tossed over the bloodied bed with the hole in it. At a glance it appeared normal, besides the blood that was now being absorbed into it, slowly. Another target missed. “Damn it all.”

Valorae stepped out of the room to breathe a little, the cloak left on the desk. Two stories down, Valorae overheard the old woman, “Your guest is up stairs, early even. Oh, and a woman was looking for you. She seemed a bit lost, an ethaefal. Perhaps your prayers have been answered at long last? Good signs, dear, good signs. Don’t let me keep you any longer.”

“Thank you,” the woman said, and muttered off the old woman’s name or something. Valorae wasn’t in a mood to memorize names as much as faces. It hit Valorae then. The woman was coming up for them. She had the message. Curses surged in her mind as she panicked to think about what she’d do. Valorae rounded the next set of stairs to the fourth floor and waited there. Her heart pounded to each step the messenger took climbing to the third floor. At last, the woman came to a stop and entered her own room. Valorae stood up and followed her into the room as quietly as she could, careful of her steps.

Valorae passed through the port and closed the door, ready to draw her blade, when the woman caught her. Blood has seeped all the way through the cover sheet. There was another awkward pause between the two, much like the anticipation of the woman reaching the third floor. Valorae went for her blade, but the messenger stopped her. Valorae’s sword was shoved back in its case and she was pinned to the wall.

Valorae let go of the sword hilt and elbowed the woman in the face. She hit the mark, the woman’s nose cracking. Valorae drew her sword as the woman backed up trying to care to her gushing nose. “You damned bitch…”

Valorae wasn’t in a mood to talk. It was funny how much these humans talked in the middle of a fight, to her at least. This wasn’t a show; it was a job, and frankly the key to her survival. The messenger was apparently unarmed as she lifted her fists. Valorae swung inward, wide. The girl took a step back. Valorae swiftly followed up with a back swing that was also dodged. Valorae followed the woman back with a lunge. The short sword would have reached the woman’s gut had she not side stepped and moved in on Valorae. It was a quick strike Valorae couldn’t even recall. The messenger’s back was against Valorae’s chest. The woman punched Valorae’s wrist and snagged the blade from her grasp. Valorae knew what the blade could do and grabbed hold of the woman’s back so she wouldn’t fall victim to her own weapon.

Valorae grabbed the woman’s hand with the sword, her other hand pulling the messenger’s frizzy, red hair. The chair and desk were right there. Valorae swung her body and the woman’s back and forth, until they had enough moment to crash into the furniture. Valorae aimed the woman’s sword baring hand for the desk. It was a hit, and the metal began to clang off of the wooden floor near the wall where they once stood. Valorae had the woman’s back now, well sort of. She was scrambling up to grab the blade, but Valorae grabbed hold of her boot. The messenger started kicking, wildly to get free and grab the key to her own survival. Valorae managed to pull her back a foot, but took another kick, to the face this time and let go. That meant one thing.

The sword swing was clumsy, leaving the blade lodged in the desk. It could have been from lack of experience, weariness from all the brawling, or blood loss. The swing sucked, luckily for Valorae. The messenger struggled to grab the sword from the desk as Valorae got up and moved to plow the woman back from the sword. Valorae shouted briefly, a battle cry of sorts, and charged the inches between the messenger and the desk. Valorae lifted the woman and dislodged the sword, charging with the woman hardly over her shoulder into the wall. The whole while over, the butt end of the sword was being hit into the leather armor on her back. It stopped when the messenger was plowed into the wall though. Surprising the neighbors didn’t wake up, huh?

Valorae quickly shoved her stray hair over her divine adornment before getting a look at the messenger. She was kind of pretty, save for the crooked nose with bloods till leaking out. They were both exhausted from the scruff so far. The messenger spit in Valorae’s face. Valorae wiped her face in her armor before she snorted blood – after all she was kicked in the face too – at the woman’s. “Gross!” she exclaimed in vain. The sword was brought around to cut Valorae, but the ethaefal had the woman’s arm now. Pinning the arm to the wall with her left hand, she placed a well aimed shot at the woman’s bicep. She must not have guessed Valorae to be a quick learner with her free hand at Valorae’s horn and hair. Lesson learned: mind what hand holds the weapon. The sword was still in her hand, but Valorae had some room to work with now.

The two struggled again, the sword being the fixation of their brawl. All of their hands were on the hilt or another hand now. With the blade aimed at the ceiling, it seemed neither of them would let go. Valorae doubled over when a knee went between her legs. Valorae wiped the blade from both their reaches then, and it landed on the floor before sliding under the bed. The ethaefal composed herself and head butted the woman. Both women were stunned for a moment. The first one to gather herself would have an advantage. The blood of a savage who fought each day to survival was unquestionably that person. Valorae grabbed that ruddy hairdo and dragged the messenger out. She struggled, but Valorae placed a knee of her own in the messenger’s face to quiet her. Valorae was leading the woman over like a cow to…to the desk.

Valorae tossed the woman into the wooden piece and grabbed hold of the back of her hair now. The ethaefal aimed another knee between the messenger’s legs to little effect, and then bashed the girl’s head off the desk. The mess she cleaned up before returned to the floor. Attempting a second bash, Valorae instead was met with an elbow in her gut and backed up, the wind knocked from her. The messenger turned around, holding onto the desk for support. “You’re dead now, bitch…” The woman looked over at the sword under the bed and started to make her way over. Valorae was down on the ground trying to regain her breath while the messenger was at the chair. Her poor handling led her to fall over on the floor with the chair. Still, she was closer to the sword.

Valorae knew she couldn’t let the sword get into her hands again. This was it. Valorae, hardly breathing, crawled to her knees and grabbed the woman’s leg again, pushing past the chair. “Why won’t you let me go you stupid bitch?” The messenger’s attempt to reason was fruitless, as was her attempt to kick. Valorae grabbed the kicking leg and brought it to her mouth.

The Myrian in her told her to bite down, and soon the messenger was screaming, or was it Valorae? A chunk of flesh was spit out for the Myrian-Ethaefal’s mouth, blood all over her mouth and chest, the leg equally bloodied. The woman tried to kick free, but Valorae sat on her now. The ethaefal reached over and grabbed the chair. It was pretty heavy, but she managed to lift it while the girl was helplessly reaching for the sword. It came down on the messenger who moaned. Valorae went to lift it for another strike, but the girl had a hold of it. Valorae went to pull again, now on her knees, and was granted permission to pull. She and the chair went backwards on the floor. “Shyke,” Valorae cursed under her breath. The woman with the sword was on her knees fumbling towards Valorae to stab her.

Between the legs of the chair, the sword was caught. It worked for a nice make shift shield, probably lighter than any shield really. Valorae threw the chair at the woman a foot from her. It was easily deflected, yet gave the time for Valorae to get on her knees, and her hands on the sword. This couldn’t go on much longer. For the minute or two it had lasted, it was taking its toll on the ethaefal. The blood pits would have been a quick end for her. Valorae took a risk, let a hand go from the sword and punched the messenger in the gut. Valorae took the sword and finally was prepared to end it, a quick plunge to the chest. All the moment’s struggles came down to this.

Valorae’s head was on the floor in a second, the sword gone. The woman had lunged at her, and now had her own hand around Valorae’s throat. The ethaefal was dying, slowly being choked to death. The strong handed woman had used up much of her reserves fending for her life it seemed. Valorae wasn’t sure what to do. She looked for the sword, and found it. She reached, all in vain as well. Her hands went for the woman’s to pry them off to no avail. She looked back up at the wild eyed messenger, her curly locks darkening her face as she seethed with rage for the Night Eyes prospect. The woman bent herself down as she clutched onto Valorae’s throat still and said, “Will you petchin’ die already?”

No. Valorae reached up between the woman’s arms and started pushing her face. It was no use, the woman wanted Valorae dead. It had been four seconds now. She would be gone in four more. Valorae found the woman’s eyes and dug her nails into them.

It was a reflex, the woman let go and went to find Valorae’s hand. The ethaefal was coughing instantly, but already had her fingers under the woman’s eyes inside her skull. Valorae would have gouged them out of the messenger didn’t rip her hand free and fall back on the floor. Valorae got on top of her and let her feel claws. The tender hands of the ethaefal curled up, and each time found the human woman’s face. Her whole body rocked and swung with each punch, the momentum being carried through to the next. Valorae watched at the woman’s mouth bloodied, and her hands failed to rise to stop her. With the last considerable bit of energy left, Valorae landed another punch on the ugly, broken nose. The woman seemed to be moaning or whining, maybe crying. It was all jumbled and gurgled under the sound of blood. The ethaefal crawled over to her sword and back. On both knees she raised the blade up and brought it back down in the woman’s chest. She hit her mark that time. The noises stopped.

by **Valorae** on August 14th, 2012, 10:54 pm

“I’ll check on it, ya damn lazy arse!” The old woman’s voice carried through the entire apartment complex up to the room. Valorae realized there was no time to spare. She grabbed the bedding that wasn’t doused in blood off the bed itself and started wiping her face. Her nose and lips were extra sensitive. Valorae started looting the body next. She found a nicely sealed message of some sort on the girl and stuffed it in her chest. It felt empty…her hit list was missing. She found it on the floor, crumbled where the second fight broke out. Stuffing it back into her bosom, she grabbed her blade from the corpse, sheathed it, and grabbed the cloak from the desk to take off. She pulled the hood up and stood to leave when the old woman stopped her at the door. Surprisingly, there was a smile on the old lady’s face, rather than any look of fear or shock.

“Dumb bitch had it comin’. You okay dear?” Valorae was speechless. “Ya probably have some more ‘business’ to attend to, don’t ya? Hehehe… I’ve lived here my whole life, girl, don’t look so strange. Get out of here. I already have a mess to clean up. It was such a dump before ya came here too…” Valorae passed by the woman with a second glance. The elder seemed more preoccupied with her work and cleaning up than the fact that two murders had just been committed. It was disgusting. Why was she there? Right, someone calling about a noise. Had no one even suspected, or did they even care? Valorae hid under the hood of the cloak and passed down the steps without a word and back onto the street.

Valorae found her way to a side street and sat down on a bench, or barrel. She couldn’t really tell what was going on at the moment, she was too stunned. She dug the documents from her bosom and fiddled with the message she retrieved. She finally got it open and read it. She sat there reading and thinking about it for a moment…

“What the petch does this mean?” she asked herself quietly. The message seemed ever so mildly cryptic and she couldn’t possibly verify the message’s validity. She thought the riddled phrases over again, but it was useless. Valorae shoved the paper back in safe keeping for the time, only to dig the list back out again. She had two contacts at Ruby’s, or near Ruby’s Scarlet Sanctum. The mentioning of Goldfinger and Silvertongue seemed to be more for reference than anything, but Ruby’s was distinct. Valorae lifted herself up and checked over her shoulders before stuffing the list back in her breasts. Off to Ruby’s then.

by **Valorae** on August 15th, 2012, 3:21 am

Walking into Ruby’s was a trip down the rabbit hole. The filthy disaster outside had no bearing on this Scarlet Sanctum. Valorae walked through the first set of doors, to another open twin set guarded by man in a rather unorthodox dress for a guard. He stepped from the side to block Valorae dead center. She knew she wasn’t getting around this guy, so she stopped and looked him over. He was easily half a foot taller than her, quite the muscle man. The pants might have been a bit tight too. Valorae coughed, her throat still sore. It would bother her all day. She’d be lucky if there wasn’t permanent damage, quite possibly. Her appearance helped disguises upon entering Ruby’s. Surely Passion would welcome someone who looked like they had a bad time at Brega’s.

“You won’t need that,” the bouncer said, gesturing the sword under the stolen cloak. Valorae lowered her hood, the dry blood still caked onto her neck in some places. The man’s demeanor changed a bit. It seemed he was caught between sympathy and alarm. “Lose a fight or something…?”

“Nope,” Valorae answered bluntly, her now swollen lower lip puckered out. She sighed, yawned, something like that. The day just started and she felt like utter crap after the first fight. Sprinting before that wasn’t fun either. The two were at a standstill, the one helpless for words, the other overcome with exhaustion.

“Who’s there? Is it Cossette? Tell her to come right in!” A voice of passion rang through the sanctum to the apparent bouncer.

He turned around to answer, “It’s not her! It’s some beat up girl!” Valorae didn’t find the description really accurate or justified. She won the fight after all, not that he’d know… And where did he get off calling her a girl? Did she really appear to be so…delicate?

“Well don’t stand there, let her in! Send her my way!” Surely the owner knew the guest could hear everything, right?

“You heard the boss lady. Go see what Ruby wants. Up the stairs right…over there,” he said reaching around. “Oh,” he interjected once more,” and welcome to Ruby’s Scarlet Sanctum,” with an ever charming smile. The difference between this one and Jaren’s? This one wasn’t after her pants, or rather what was inside them.

Valorae followed directions as told, though the sanctum did spark new interests in the new born ethaefal. She caught a sight of the stage and found herself entranced. The girls were running behind stage, apparently preparing for a rehearsal. “Mustn’t be business hours,” Valorae said, reaching for her list to double check.

“Up here, sweetheart,” screamed the ever invigorated voice. It was none other than Ruby “Passion” Demoya’s, owner and performer of Ruby’s Scarlet Sanctum. Valorae followed after. The owner was situated in an overhang with a drink at hand. She had a perfect view of the stage from up here. Surely it was the V.I.P. lounge. “[color=red]Take a seat right there. Good,” she said, peerng up from her drink to look at Valorae. Her eyes lit up with hints of sorrow and wanting. Valorae would make a fine addition to the cast, or so she must have thought. “What’s your name dear,” she asked before taking a sip of her drink, the liquid smoothly flowing through her neck.

“Valorae,” she answered, and before she could plea her case, Ruby started on her.

“Valorae! Such a beautiful name... I’m Ruby Demoya, but you can call me Passion. Welcome to the Scarlet Sanctum. I’m afraid you’re a bit early if you’re looking for a show. Of course you’re looking for me though, aren’t you? I mean just look at you, you’re a darling, absolutely gorgeous!”

Valorae’s chest puffed from the flattery. She didn’t know what to say. Someone like “Passion” was so…

“Tell me your story dear,” Passion implored to Valorae, her warm hands already reaching out for the ethaefal’s, “Tell Passion what’s wrong. I’m sure I can help you out. You can ask any of the girls. Gods bless their souls,” she said shaking Valorae’s hand in hers.

Valorae gently removed her hand from Passion’s and pulled out her list. The other paper was snug further down inside. Referencing the sheet, she informed Passion of her situation (as far as she need know), “I’m supposed to be meeting these people here, or somewhere around here. I’ve some messages to retrieve.”

“Pfft, a courier! Valorae, my dear, I have excellent news for you. There’s plenty of room here if you’d like an upgrade from all that running around. And how’d you get so filthy? I bet it what that whore, Brega, wasn’t it? That joke she calls a business! Come back with me, let me show you. We can have you cleaned up in no time.” Passion cried to a man near the bar, “A glass of red wine, yes? Thank you, hun! Now then, you’re a blonde, so I was thinking – ”

“I’m here on business,” Valorae abruptly interrupted. She was afraid she had insulted Passion and lost all hopes of getting the information she needed.

“Well why didn’t you just say so? Drink’s on me, sweetheart; don’t worry about it. So… what’s up?”

“I’m looking for these people,” she gestured to the names of targets three and four, “They are supposed to meet me here at the times listed. Do you know them?”

“Well, let me see,” Passion said, leaning in, “Now, he’s a regular, but I don’t know this one. He’d be here in about half an hour I’d say. I need to check the time too; we have a rehearsal to get through. Oh, so much to do, you know? Alright, alright… Let’s see, we can make this happen. We can’t have you walking around looking like that. Come with me.”

The glass of wine arrived just in time. Valorae gave the man – also in excessively tight pants – a nod and smile, trying to divert her eyes from his body…

“Thanks, babe,” passion shouted, leaving the man with a nice pat on the rear. “Take that with you, just don’t spill,” Passion commanded, taking her own drink as well. They went down the steps up stage and then back stage… Further into Wonderland they went.