PM to join Swords of Shadow and Light. [Lexa Maze]

[Mortuus]

20th of Spring, 513 AV. Dusk.

Mortuus was taking the night off. It was a rare thing for the assassin to actually be able to enjoy a night of peace and quiet, however with the recent well paying jobs she'd been pulling for her new contractors it was something the young assassin could afford to do tonight. She intended to eat the simple meal of venisen meat she'd bought from the market today, after it was done being heated by the firepit, along with some bread and water. After that lounging about on her bed seemed very appealing.

Anyone who had ever met the cold and rigid assassin would have been rather shocked by how... normal she looked, sitting at the small round table in her cottage. Her dark brown hair was unbound and framed her face almost perfectly, still a little moist from the bath she had taken a couple of hours ago. Her normal clothes were occupying her simple wooden dresser, instead she now wore her nightclothes which consisted of a simple linen shirt and a linen skirt. The ready posture Mortuus alway possessed was somewhat more relaxed and her eyes seemed to have lost some of their normal chill.

The assassin's house was a modest affair, furnished very sparingly with only a few essential things, mostly storage furnature like her dresser and cupboard. The floor of the cottage was tiled, giving it a more homey feeling and the walls where made of wood. It was simple both within and without.

The young assassin sighed as she leaned back into her small wooden chair, this had been a very good day off for her. For the first time since she had arrived in the Zeltiva, and indeed the first time in most of her life, she was not Mortuus the Killer, she was Mortuus the Woman. It was going to be a brief thing, this transformation, but she intended to enjoy every minute of it while it lasted. Her eyes lazily fell upon the firepit, waiting for the meat to finish heating up.

[Lexa Maze]

Lexa was still out an about, even though it was already dark. She had watched the sunset by the docs. It didn't make her feel calm, or happy. All she could think about was that cold woman who called herself Mortuus. She hadn't seen her for almost a week, was it? Lexa felt like she should have gone to her sooner maybe. Maybe it hand't been that long. This particular night, Lexa just didn't feel happy. She had met a few nice people in the last few days... but she still had no one she could count on. She had promised to be there for Mortuus. She had promised to help her realise that she was destined for a much less violent path. Lexa was still sitting at the docs. She sat on an empty pier with her bare feet dangling in the water. She couldn't help the sadness that was gripping her at this moment. It wan't for herself, but for Mortuus. With that, Lexa knew where she wanted to go. It was dark now, she didn't care, she could think up some reason to be there. After all, Mortuus had said that she was welcome to come over to her house at the docs. Lexa stood and made up her mind. Lexa was finding it a little hard to see now. Maybe she could have made this decision when there was still some light? This was stupid... Lexa finally, after passing many doors, found one that might be Mortuus's. It had a chain across it, like she'd said. If it wasn't than she'd apologise and keep looking. Lexa hesitated. What if Mortuus didn't want to see her? What if she was imposing? Lexa usually didn't think about manners so much, but for some reason, Lexa found herself wanting to make herself liked by this woman. As a result of that, Lexa found herself feeling self conscious. She had to get some new clothes at some point. Her tunic and browsers were comfortable, but they were not very pretty. "why am I making such a fuss" Lexa though to herself. With that, she stopped being stupid and knocked on the door. She stood back a bit waiting for the response, and to see if she had opened the right door, all the while, absent mindedly raking a nervous hand through her black hair.

[Mortuus]

Mortuus was shaken from her reverie by a knock on her door. That was odd, very few people knew where she lived, even fewer had reason to bother her at this late hour. Her gaze moved over to her tulwar which lay against the wall near her hearth, instincively searching for the nearest weapon. Briefly she considered picking it up, just in case whoever was at the door had less than friendly intensions.

Finally, figuring that it was better to be safe than sorry she stood from her chair and walked over to her waiting weapon, her bare feet slapping against the tiles loudly as she walked. She picked up the weapon and headed to her door, ready for anything. It was times like these that the assassin wished that she had installed a peephole on the door. Alas she had not yet gotten around to doing so, however that was now on her to do list.

Slowly she cracked her door, a little surprised with who was waiting outside. It was none other than Lexa Maze, the woman she had met wondering East Street about a week back. She set her weapon aside and opened the door more widely, giving her a full view of the shorter woman.

Mortuus quicked an inquisitive eyebrow, "Hello Lexa, what brings you to my doorstep?"

[Lexa Maze]

OOC NOTESo sorry about the long wait. Been stupidly busy. May be like this for the next week but don't give up on me!

Mortuus opened the door, causing Lexa momentary relief. She'd got the right house. Mortuus looked so different than she had when she first met her. Her brunette hair framed her face nicely, and she wore a simple woken skirt and shirt. Her face, and posture was more relaxed than when they had first met and Lexa was able to see her beauty in a different way. But as Mortuus raised an eyebrow and asked her why she was here Lexa was rudely snapped out of her awe. She realized that she had no real reason to be there. Oh god, how stupid she had been. It was dusk, maybe durin the daytime it would have been acceptable. Lexa felt her cheeks grow hot as she struggled to answer the woman "U-uhh". she shifted her weight between her feet. She had nothing "I guess I just felt...lonely." It was pathetic. Why did she say that? Mortuus probably thought she was weak "No, I mean. I'm intruding. Please forgive me. It was a stupid whim. You're probably busy right" She spoke quickly as if to try and hide what had last came out of her mouth. Shyke, Lexa was usually so prepared. She thought things through. It was the one thing she prided herself on Lexa would look down to her feet, ready to be laughed at, or to be told to go away. She bit at her lower lip, and then looked up again trying to amend her gibberish by looking confident "I really got nothing." Lexa said letting out a nervous chuckle "I'm usually a lot lest thoughtless." But all that had been on her mind was Mortuus. She didn't often think of her own struggle anymore. It have been stupid to come here at this hour, but Lexa had to check up on her. After all, her follow though, how ever poorly timed, would hopefully please this woman. Lexa had the feeling she hadn't had a friend in a very long time. Then again, neither had she.

[Mortuus]

OCC: Don't worry about it. Your perfectly fine.

Mortuus allowed the ghost of a smile to touch her lips, it was an extremely rare sight on her face and it vanished just as quickly as it appeared. Lexa looked very uncomfortable and somewhat nervious, a rather stark contrast to the woman she had been a week ago. The assassin shugged her shoulders slightly, it was probably nothing. Still Mortuus had been meaning to meet with Lexa for a while now, considering that she had a very modest meal being made tonight she figured that it would be best to invite her inside.

"Its quite alright Lexa, relax." The assassin said.

"Why don't you come inside? I have some food that will be ready in a couple of minutes and I have been wanting to see you again." She offered, feeling a slight chill run down her spine for some reason.

It felt familiar, like when she had been watched by the Yshul Cult during her first job for the. She glanced over Lexa's shoulder but saw nothing, just a few people in the distance hurrying home. Mortuus narrowed her eyes slightly, if the cult wanted to watch her then she'd let them. It wasn't like she was moving against them or anything, just talking to someone she knew.

Turning her attention back to Lexa the assassin moved to out of the doorway and gestured for the other woman to come inside, slightly more alert than before.

[Lexa Maze]

Lexa saw the feint flicker of a smile appear on Mortuus's face as Lexa stumbled on her words like an idiot. What was wrong with Lexa tonight? She was jumpy, and her emotions were less controlled. She saw Mortuus and she was filled with a sense of duty to her new... she wasn't sure if it was friendship yet. Lexa was happy with just this, that Mortuus would let her into her home. When Mortuus reassured her that it was alright she just felt even more stupid for her jabberings seconds ago. She didn't expect to be invited inside. She almost felt like she was intruding, but Lexa didn't want to go home now. Not only that but Lexa had skipped lunch today and her stomach made a pitiful growling noise as Mortuus talked of a meal. The part of the sentence that struck Lexa the most, however was the last part. 'I've been wanting to see you again'. It was probably just a casual remark, but Lexa felt happy. It would make life a lot easier if the assassin whom she wanted to change was not resisting her. "Thank-you" Lexa said eventually "food sounds lovely," she said trying fruitlessly to hide the complaining her stomach was doing. Lexa watched the womans eyes narrow, almost exactly as she had finished speaking, and wondered what she was looking at. But it only lasted a few seconds before she moved out of the doorway and allowed Lexa to enter. Lexa walked inside the small, but cosy looking abode. She smiled subtly to herself, hiding it behind her bangs. But the smile disappeared once she let her over analysing mind take over. Mortuus was a warrior like Lexa, she didn't just become alert for not reason right "Did you see something out there, Mortuus?" Lexa would ask once inside

[Mortuus]

Mortuus pondered Lexa's question, she really didn't want to worry the woman, besides she doubted the other woman would take her recent assassinations for the Yshul Cult well. Besides it was probably nothing to worry about, just the cult checking up on their latest investment.

The tall assassin shook her head as she closed the door, "There is nothing to worry about, in my line of work one becomes alert to most things, it was probably just someone going back home late or something."

Mortuus managed a brief glance over of the other woman and noted that she looked like she needed new clothes. While hers were not ripped or torn they did look very worn.

"Cooking in not one of my skills but I think that cooking meat is something I can manage." Mortuus said aloud as she moved over the cooking pot that rested over her fire pit.

"Grab the other utensals out of the cupboard and have a seat, this looks like it will be ready in a minute." The assassin invited, gesturing to the small cupboard to her right.

This was her play at changing the subject from whatever was outside, Lexa was sometimes a little too inquistive for her own good. Still the feeling of being watched didn't deminish and when the assassin was sure that Lexa was not looking she spared a glance to her weapon lying near the door.

[Lexa Maze]

"Right.." Lexa muttered. She sometimes forgot this was a woman who could kill without a thought. Lexa couldn't help the swell of anger that coursed through her whenever it was mentioned. She know how it felt to have someone you loved killed... Mortuus must have taken the lives of those whom somebody loved. Lexa sighed. She didn't want to have this discussion now anyway, she just wanted to eat, and sit by a fire. But of course it wouldn't leave her mind. She hated that line of work not only for it's blatant disregard for the lives of others, but also for the way it forces you to give up your freedom, to become a tool for somebody elses gain. Why would you ever want that for yourself? Lexa followed the womans instructions mutely, trying to regain some of the happiness she had felt earlier. But this felt like a weight on her shoulders, even though this woman's choice of profession was not HER burden, it still burdened her. Surely there was a person inside this lifeless puppet... Somewhere. And if she were to fail at bringing this real person back to life? Well she might end up dead herself hanging around with an assassin. How ironic this thought would be, as Lexa would soon find out. Lexa sat down at the table, with the utensils Mortuus had pointed out and completely missed the glance Mortuus gave her sword. It was clear however that Mortuus was alert, although she was trying to hide it. Lexa looked over at the pot and began to say "I think it's-" But she didn't get the chance to finish. Something crashed through the window, shattering her sentence to bits, not to mention the window. Lexa had to dive off the chair to avoid being hit by the flying projectile. It was a rock about as big as both of her fists together. Now there was banging at the door as heavy boddies slammed their weight against it "What the petch is going on!?" Lexa said, eyes wide. She reached for the katana at her belt and drew it waiting for who ever was trying to brake into Mortuus's house to fall through the door way. Lexa's controlled her ragged breathing, waiting for battle. She narrowed her eyes and readied her guard. Her stance was solid and ready to either defend or attack. "I don't know who you pissed off, Mortuus, but you sure did a good job of it."

[Mortuus]

Mortuus was actually shocked when a rock came flying through her window, of all the scenario's she would have imagined this was most certainly not one. Banging on the door as some one tried to force their way inside her house came soon after the rock. She didn't know who it was coming for her but one thing was for sure it was not the Yshul Cult. If they had wanted her dead then they would have done so far more quietly, no whoever was outside was someone far less quiet about their work.

The assissin immediately went for her sword, the blade sliding from its sheath with a sinister hiss. She pushed herself up against the wall next to the door, glancing at Lexa for a moment. The other woman fell into a ready stance so naturally, it was rather amusing for Mortuus, with a little training in subterfuge the warrior might have made a good assassin.

One more loud and mighty push against her door sent it swinging wide, nearly taking it off of its hinges. The killer waited for a moment, sure enough a tall and rough looking man rushed in through the doorway, giving Mortuus a clear shot at his back. When she stuck there was no hesitation and her expression was coldly detached, it was a mechanical reflex at this point. Her tulwar swung swiftly and silently through the air, like death itself.

The sickening crunch of bone and the wet tearing of flesh sounded out as her blade cleanly severed the man's spinal cord. Quickly she spun out of her blow, her sword still swinging through the air and slashed the disabled man's throat. Blood sprayed out of the wound, splashing the assassin with the vital crimson fluid. A series of wet gurgles managed to escape the man's lips as he crumpled to the ground, a death rattle more than any thing.

Mortuus backed up alongside Lexa, noting that there were still two large thugs outside, one clutching a broad sword, the other an axe.

"There might be more waiting in the shadows outside, be ready," the assassin advised her companion, her voice as cold as ice.

[Lexa Maze]

"At least she doesn't grin" Lexa thought, as she watched the blood splatter all over the assassin, all over the floor that Mortuus's victim fell. She had seen this when she was a kid, the difference was, while Mortuus was mechanical, killing like it was a reflex, with an ice cold expression, and eyes hard and inhuman, Alar, and her father alike would grin, making the death of their foe slower, smirking like animals as they died. These memories were not particularly pleasant, but she had bigger things to deal with right now. Lexa tried to focus as Mortuus backed up. Could she possibly do that? She'd beten people half to death, she'd wounded, cut and bruised their ego's and their bodies, but nobody had allowed her to end a life herself. She just nodded when the woman advised her to be ready. God damn this night, it could have been something so much nicer. The two brutish men burst in. Both were heavily tattooed, hulk-like drones, clutching their weapons and yelling battle cries. One of them, the one with the axe ran at her, the other at Mortuus. Lexa stood still, and ready as he charged, swinging the axe high in the air. wait....wait...NOW she thought, and dodged the axe at the last minute. She even watched as the man's face changed from a confident smirk, to a gobsmacked expression. Now that he was unbalanced, all Lexa had to do was kick him in the back to help his excessive amount of momentum along the way and he toppled over. Lexa looked away and he... rather unluckily, fell on top of his own weapon. Technically he'd finished himself off. People couldn't get Lexa with a straight charge, and a battle cry "Don't play with sharp things, buddy." She threw to the bleeding man behind her. She moved quickly back to Mortuus's side in a light ready stance.