Completed Catch Em Kill Em!

[Kalesserimamoru]

Time stamp: Fall 47th 513 AV


The nest was in an up roar as the guards of Zinarh raced through the tunnels in search of their prey. Not a full cycle of Syna to Leth had passed since the returning Dhani guard group reentered the nest with three Myrian captives. After returning, they had left the captives in the care of two stationed guards who were usually charged with watching the prisoners, or watching the exits in the city. For whatever reason, a reason that was going to be carefully looked into, but the Dhani turned their backs and some how...some way, the Myrians got out.


Of course they were already dead, monkeys dancing on bothered time, they just didn't know it yet. If the guards didn't recapture them, someone else would finish the job for them. It was only a matter of time.


Mamoru hadn't been with the group that went out and fought as he was still recovering from his injuries from the last time he took on the tanned menace of the jungle. The trickster had been placed on guard duty for one of the shops, but when the call went out for escaped prisoners, he had to help out.


The Dhani roared and hissed as they slithered in bulk through the tunnels in the nest. Some armed with weapons and others going bare handed to take out the monkeys. Mamoru had only his Naginata with him, and for a time, he had been using it to help him stand easier. It had been a boring evening on the job so far and after he had spent most of the day sleeping, this interruption was the best thing that could have happened.


"Check the gallery!"


"To the sschool!"


"Mind the entrancessss!"


There were shouts hissing back and forth through out the city as any Dhani with a heart or hunger jumped in to help search out the Myrians. They couldn't escape, but they could hide for a time. Still, even in this they would fail, for in a nest filled with cold blooded snakes, the warm bloods stood out like fire in the night. Suddenly a scream rang in the air, more of a war cry as one of the Myrians was caught and attacked as a last ditch effort to escape. He was beaten without mercy by the Dhani who found him and then dragged back to his cell.


"Go to the Amphitheater!"


"Check the sshine!!"


The guard of Zinarh were in top form this day, and easily gave out orders that others responded to even the females in the nest. Mamoru slithered through the tunnels, at a slower pace, watching and listening for any sounds of the Myrian tongue.


The guards were one thing, but many in the city were excited by the unfortunate event and were acting carelessly as they raced on, making noises and knocking over items as they went. The trickster had since slipped off from the noisy bunches and went about checking the dark corners that had been missed.

[Kalesserimamoru]

The cave of the underground city shook, very light vibrations rumbling in the walls, ceiling , and even the floor as the dhani moved about looking for the rest of the Myrians. The glow stones in the nest set off an eerie glow of scales through shadows as the dhani made their way in and out the tunnels. The Myrians had kept the Dhani suppressed for ages, and what little revenge they could muster, they were willing and ready to take it.


All I need to do isss find at leassst one. Jussst one and I can sshow them what real might isss. I don't need numbersss or a fate war Goddesss to help me. I can defeat my enemiess on my own!


The trickster slithered faster though the tunnels now, fueled by rage and a need to rip flesh from bone. It wouldn't matter how many Myrians were born and raised to be warriors inside their invisible, magical city. One by one he would take them out, for every soul that was brought back into the world, he would send another screaming into the void.


Mamoru continued on until he found himself near the Amphitheater. The area was still empty and it appeared that it hadn't been searched yet, or the others had done so and then moved on. He slithered inside the massive room, with alcoves dug into the walls that displayed creative art. The reimancers had done a great job building the place and the many rows of seats that curved and judged out of the floor for Dhani to sit on were perfect for all forms.


The stage was grand as well, the likeness of Zinarh's most prized artist and performers were on dislike and a variation of fashionable curtains hung from the walls to each side of the stage and also along the walls. Mamoru slithered further inside, his tongue flicking from his mouth to test the heat in the room. There was something close by, a warmer heat signature than any Dhani would have, and it was hiding near the stage.


Found you...


Hissing, the trickster slithered quickly towards the back of the stage where suddenly, a dark figure jumped out and attacked him. It was one of the men that had escaped and he was holding one of the wooden ax props that the Dhani used in their arts. The weapon wouldn't pierce his scales, but it would leave a good bruise if swung hard enough. Mamoru held his weapon with both hands and lifted his pole to block the incoming attack.

[Kalesserimamoru]

This Myrian was stalky, dark skinned with odd braids and missing patches all over his head. It was as if someone had been ripping the twisted hair right out of his scalp. The man had some sort of bone sticking from his nose, and long stringy meat hanging from the sides of his head.


It looked as if the man once had large ear rings and someone had ripped them out as well. But whatever horrors the man had been through, it didn't slow him down and he attacked Mamoru as if his life depended on it...because it did.


"Isss that all you've got monkey?"


The trickster coiled his tail beneath his body , his arms raised, both hands gripping the pole of his weapon firmly as he blocked another swing. But instead of swinging back, he pushed his weapon forward and raked it across the ax prop before shoving his shoulder into the man to knock him off balance.


Turning quickly, Mamoru slung his tail out to whip across the Myrian's chest and knock him down. The man hit the ground hard, scraping his body on the rocky floor, but was able to keep a hold of his weapon.


"Thisss time, you die!!"


Mamoru turned his blade downward and started to stab it at the Myrian, who had to roll left then right to avoid the Naginata. But the trickster continued, to thrust his weapon, the blade clinking off the ground each time that it missed. Finally after he got frustrated, the dhani lifted the pole and started to use it like a club.


Again and again he beat the Myrian with the weapon, bringing it down upon him any and every way that it could, until the Myrian got in a good swing and knocked it out of his hands.


"You fool!!"


Hissing, the trickster grabbed the man's leg and slung him around and around before letting him go to crash into the wall of the cave. The man settling into a lump, holding his head and trying to clear the webs.


Mamoru slithered over towards him and with both fore arms, he slammed them into him again and again, before picking him up and launching him across the room again. Taking up his Naginata, he slithered over to collect his catch.

[Kalesserimamoru]

Mamoru released a sigh and rolled his neck around as he slithered closer. He raised his weapon, the blade aimed downward in case he needed to stake the Myrian if he was still awake. He wasn't, the man was out cold and laying on the ground half way folded up. His face was bloody and bruises were rising about his chest, arms and back from Mamoru's attack.


"Well now...sstill a live I ssee?"


He moved closer, grabbing the man by his leg and turned to drag him off and back through the tunnels. The cave had grown quiet now, and he imagined that the others had already been caught and taken care of. This would be the last one to go back into the cage, unless they decide to kill him instead. Either way he didn't care, these weren't even his catch. As far as he knew, he would go back to standing at his post for the day until his shift ended.


Crossing into the tunnels, darkness covered him and the limp body that he pulled across the floor behind him. Dhani were around, standing in the different caves, some still in the tunnels, who had been looking for the Myrian that he had with him now. The trickster took his time seeing no reason to rush because the man wasn't going to wake up before he got him back to his cell. And if he did, if he somehow pulled himself together Mamoru was still there, weapon at the ready.


He slithered through the back tunnels, going deeper into the city until he reached the area where they kept their toys. As he had expected, the other two had already been caught and returned to their cages, leaving only the one he had out. The other guards were more than glad to take the wounded Myrian off his hands and slung him back into his cage. Peace had been restored within the nest and all could go back to their lives, including Mamoru, unless there was something else.


"Jussst a quessstion. Who wass it that sscrewed thiss job?"

[Kalesserimamoru]

The guard stared back at Mamoru, a look on his face stating that he didn't believe what he was told, or didn't want to repeat it. The guard standing beside him didn't look happy either, but his expression looked of annoyance more than anything. Mamoru eyed them both suspiciously, something was going on and they didn't seem to want to talk about it. But finally the guard that he had asked decided to break the silence and tell him.


"They ssaid they were...trying to impresss a female by letting her play with the Myriansss. But they were over run."


It was the most ridiculous reason that he had ever heard and the trickster stood with a perplexed look on his face. He didn't know whether to laugh or to curse. "That wasss their ansswer? And they call themsselvesss guardsss?"


Not one of the guards looked pleased in the least, and perhaps they could have been better understanding if there had been a better reason, but this was unforgivable. Thinking about it more, Mamoru had to wonder what female were they trying to impress? He didn't know of many females that had a particular interest in playing with monkeys.


Unless...


"I assssume they are being dealt with asss we sspeak. Where can I find them?"


The other guards looked surprised, they couldn't figure out why Mamoru would want to see them unless he planned on starting a fight. "You looking to teach them a lessson? There'ss really no need." replied the guard standing closest to the one that the trickster spoke with. Mamoru didn't frown exactly, but he didn't smile either. The trickster cocked his head to the eyes as his took on a more intense stare.


"No ssuch thing. I'm jusst curiousss about thiss woman they were trying to impresss. Nothing more."


The Dhani guards glanced at each other and shrugged their shoulder. They didn't see what the purpose here was, but if Mamoru really just wanted to ask questions there was no reason to stop him, he was a guard after all. "Ah, looking to ssteal her away huh? They're down the way." The guard said while pointing to the tunnel that led to the weapons area.

[Kalesserimamoru]

Jumping to conclusions wasn't a good way to go about anything, but investigating couldn't hurt. He had an idea and went with it and would see where it led him. If he was wrong he would go about his way and no one would be the wiser. However if he was right, this little knowledge might be of use for later dates. He slithered through the tunnel on his way, when he noticed a suspiciously veiled female move past him.


It was a fashionable veil, one made from the better materials that Zinrah had for use. He paused in the tunnel, and turned back to glance over one shoulder. He thought of asking who she was and why she was veiled. In fact something inside told him to, but he decided not to and turned to enter the weapons area. Now it was time to plug information from the two guards that had screwed up.


Mamoru moved through the area, eying the weapons and noticing that they had gotten in more and bigger sizes. He wasn't up for a change for himself, as he still had much to learn with the two weapons that he already used in combat. At the half point of the cave, he would find the two guards slithering towards him on their way out. It was a mild surprise being that he figured he'd come in to see something more. The other guards saw him coming, and they weren't in the mood for more heckling.


They had been lucky not to get punished more, but since the other guards were able to subdue the Myrians in a timely manner and without anything being broken or others harmed, they decided to let them off light. The two guards had lost their jobs, and would have to find more work, but otherwise were free to go. But the trickster wanted to know something before they were free to go about their lives. Mamoru pulled at the things of his djed, the magic of his being spiraling around before he focused it into his eyes and mouth.


He smiled, eyes appearing kind and considering as he sent them both suggestions. Feelings of sympathy, comradery and friendship. He knew of them both and had even done a patrol with each of them. He'd never shared harsh words with them dispute the fact that he found them both useless. It was a good thing now, and with his suggestion he shouldn't find them too hard to talk with.

"Might I have a word?"

[Kalesserimamoru]

The two guards stopped, their arms already folded before a word was spoken. The trickster continued to send them both suggestions of a friendly nature. He also worked in a sense of a calmer head. Dhani were quick to get 'up in arms' over even little things and this screw up wasn't all that little to begin with. It wouldn't take much to get them pissed.


"Hard day boysss? That was ssome nassty bussinesss. But it'sss good to ssee that you both are alright."


The Dhani glanced at each other, the hypnotic powers of the trickster continued to work on them as he pressed carefully into their minds for a fake sort of friendship. One of the scoffed and and rolled his shoulders as he decided to speak up. "If you call lossing your job alright then yea. we're great." The other Dhani rubbed the back of his head, having nothing else to add that hadn't already been said.


"Oooh, now that'sss horrible. I dare ssay that isss taking thingsss too far." Mamoru was a horrible actor and he knew it. His tone was almost taunting and his facial expressions a bit too animated. It was as if he thought they were all closer than what they were. A horrible actor, but with the hypnotic suggestions carrying over, he was able to continue.


"Well all issn't losst friendsss. Perhapsss your talentss can be better ussed essle where. And of courssse, if you need any..help. Jusst let me know."


The Dhani smiled, feeling better with the trickster's honeyed words and the power of his magic keeping them calm and responsive. "That'sss good of you Mamoru, and thanksss. We'll keep that in mind." The Dhani smiled and lightly tapped his shoulder. It was working, the two brooding males had calmed down and were talking rather than snapping as they had done with the other guards to question them.


"Ssay, it'sss been a long day. Why don't we head to the Dissstillery? Drinksss are on me."


Again the males smiled and nodded their heads. A drink was exactly what they needed. Taking their nods as a yes, Mamoru led the way, slithering out of the area and down the tunnel, as he released his hypnotic glance. The other Dhani followed, and he could hear them whispering behind him. He couldn't pick up word for word, but he did hear consort and sexy.


"Sso, isss it true? Were you guysss entertaining a female when the..problem occurred?"


Both males paused a moment, their expression serious, before one sighed and rubbed his head again. "And sshe wasss a looker too, nicessst grey sscalesss I've ever ssseen." The other Dhani spoke then, almost a chuckle in his voice. "Sssexy, powerful and a conssort? Mamoru if you had sseen her, you would have done the ssame thing. "


Mamoru's eyes widen at the words and he had to hold back a smile. He knew that something was up, and what other sexy female with greyish scales was a busy consort. "Oh..I agree. I would have been bewitched."

[Soliloquy]

Mamoru

Experience:

• Hunting +1
• Weapon (Naginata) + 1
• Brawling +1
• Interrogation +2
• Hypnotism +1

Lore:

• Guard duty makes the perfect time to catch up on some zzz's
• Myrians: Hardy and make excellent throw things
• Hypnotism: Covers up horrible acting and poorly used facial expressions
• An offer of drinks always loosens one's tongue

Additonal Notes :

Fun to read and excellent cliff hanger. I must know who this gray Dhani is!!!

If one has any questions or concerns associated with their grade, send me a PM and we can work out the details.

c