Closed The Paper Trail [Fallon]

[Zandelia]

She watched curiously as Fallon seemed to try to puzzle out the instruction, she wondered whether she were over-thinking it perhaps. It had been a simple thing, something she was quite decent at in many ways. She was simply being asked to make an impression, to strike up conversation perhaps or to do something that made her stand out for the better. Red was a powerful man in Stumble Alley, of that she was entirely certain. She had had few dealings with him in the past but everyone knew his tavern was the only one open in the dark corner of the city and it was that way for a reason - he wanted it to be so. He could have chosen anywhere in the city to set up shop and he had chosen Stumble, he had both courage and ruthlessness. If anyone knew how to work the alley he did. And he had survived, which was telling.

Telling indeed for such an anarchic place even by Sunberthian standards. He could be useful indeed, if we got onto his good side at least. If he has a good side. His more amenable side then? Or just decent business…. she mused to herself as she watched and drank deeply from her tankard.

Yet she found herself surprised, she was struggling with what was being asked of her. Red was very abrupt certainly, not overly talkative as landlords went but still she had expected more to be built than a few words upon cage fighting and then the sudden retreat from the attempts. Perhaps the heat was making things more difficult, or she was not truly focused due to other events. It was understandable she knew, there was much going on and her strength was sapped during the daylight hours. She watched with mounting bemusement as the ribbons were viewed, pulled and then offered to her as if they were something she really did not want to give up. It was touching really. She looked at the fabrics that were proffered for a few, long moments. The tone said it all, Fallon didn’t like it one bit.

“I don’t take what has already be earned,” she pushed the hand back gently after her pause, “though I thought you were usually so good with your tongue. No, admitting you don’ know is not the same as asking for help. There is…I think…a difference” she spoke low and softly.

“I think you thought about it too much, I just wanted you to be remem-” she began but was cut off by Red’s words.

“Here, what’s them ribbons about? Got something planned have yer?” his tone was suspicious and there was a general movement behind them, soft but all too audible as a danger sign.

“It was simply a wager Red, a wager of sorts”

“Yeah?” he asked, clearly interested as to what it was and how it involved him now, “what kinda wager?”

“I told my friend Bitzer here that you ran Stumble, everyone knows it. I bet her she could get you to tell her but it appears she has not found the words in your mighty company”

“Oh yeah? Well you can knock off those fine words lass, don’t work round these parts. But yeah, took stones to come in here for that. Not many survive the Alley at all, let alone get here without so much as a bleed”

“We have our ways. We met Codger…did you know he has a cloak that keeps him safe from harm? I was shocked at the claim as I could see his…well things through it. Not sure which shocked me most, him or his cloak” she leant in conspiratorially then, hamming up the pauses and the pronunciations as best she could.

There was a pause, his gaze boring into the pair of them as the atmosphere became charged further, and then he laughed. Snorted really, more than a bellow of a laugh that she had expected. It wrong footed her and her face turned red slightly and he pointed at her in between slapping the bar with his palm as he snorted messily. She tried to keep a faint smile upon her face, she was being laughed at in front of Fallon when being asked to teach. She was teaching still, in a way, yet it was still mildly embarrassing. She shook her head slightly and refused to meet the other’s gaze as she tried to appear as stoic as was possibly - the moment considered.

“Aye…aye lass. Quite the shock for a lady indeed. Alright, I’ll give yer that one. And this bet, yer gonna lose anyways. Put those back on lad, go on ask yer questions you two. Two questions for two merry moments now and I‘ll answer ‘em best as I can. But be fair now, not gonna tells ye everything. Small things. Yer can thank yer lass afterwards. Best leave soon though, lads gets rowdy after a few more mugs”

With that, despite her own unplanned sacrifice, there was now the opportunity - albeit a chance one - for them to leave their mark upon him. She would get information, they both would, and he would remember them both. If for differing reasons perhaps. That was all that was required after all, that they be slightly memorable so that when they returned they would not have to build everything with him from scratch. She took a few moments to consider her questions well as she eyed Fallon briefly, they would be gifts indeed to be spent wisely. He was not known for being articulate yet apparently humor worked upon him somewhat.

Good to know… she filed that bit of information away as she drank her ale as quickly as she could and hid her face behind its rim.

“Two you say? Seems fair, from a fair man it is said. Very well, there has been something that I’ve wanted to know for some time. Firstly, you’ve set up in Stumble - a most dangerous place - yet you don’t seem to have any trouble. Damages and so on. Not that has been heard anyway. How do you stay so well protected?”

“Friends and patrons lass, easy one. Friends and patrons. My place is the only place to have fun round these parts so they look after it…those as live round here. And they can hit hard enough so they can. Very deadly, very good fighters. Cage fighters. Best men you can have as they don’t know pretty moves just winning…whatever the cost” he spat into a mug and began to wipe it with a well used scrap of cloth.

“True enough, they protect what they have affection for s-”

“Wouldn’t say affection lass, more what they can’t afford to lose. They like this place well enough but really it’s a safe haven for them. Here no damned gang blood flows. Won’t have it. Think of it more as…insurance”

“Insurance then, well stated. Second question then…what if someone wanted to help you?”

“Help?”

“But of course, if you need things done. Supplies protected, problems solved. Who do you have? These lads seem strong but as you say they are drunk a lot of the time here”

“I has a very people…quiet like,” he studied his mug deeply and with interest as if it were the most important thing in the world as his tone turned softer but more deadly it seemed, “always looking for more but can’t trust lotsa people. I own Stumble cos I’m smart, not cos I’m strong. Strengths for those other streets. Yer need street smarts to win here. And that’s all yer getting for now”

“Best times to come for lass and lad as you two would be never I’d say but yer seem like the sort to do as yer please. Early day is best for when things are less….rowdy. Go on now, time to go I gots business to do” he watched them like a hawk as the drinks were finished and she left him with a nod and a knowing smile exchanged - albeit briefly.

Reaching the door was easy enough, none stopped them and seemed to want to cross Red. He was the authority it seemed and she had learnt just as much from what had been felt, observed, than the words themselves. The light greeted them and she took a deep breath of positively fresh air compared to the interior.

“So…that went well? Think you can use that, I know you can. What did you learn?” she stated as she stepped away from the door and leant into the shadows of the corner of the building.

[Fallon]

Her jaw set itself slightly as Zandelia simply stared upon the ribbons, unmoving for those few moments as if to decide what to do next. There was a flicker of surprise, the fingers rising to return the ribbons that had been earned. Fallon's brow only furrowed at that point, a slight wince as she tried to get into the mindset of the woman next to her.
"I... get nervous sometimes," she breathed, squirmed a little and then promptly looked away. Her fingers curled around the ribbons, withdrawing them back to her person. The ends were played with tentatively, lips twisting as she collected her thoughts and attempted to settle them into something more useful. She pushed down a pout behind the face of neutrality, and her eyes flickered up to Red when he finally spoke up. Conversation flowed, eyes darting back and forth as she caught the twang of suspicion within the barkeeps voice.

Lips were wetted, twitching as she heard the sound of movement coming from behind. It was perhaps then that the ribbon was loosely tied around the wrist, and the hand gave the subtle drift down to the tulwar hilt. Hairs rose, her eyes coming down into a narrow as she simply listened to what was going on behind her. It was a tavern full of mercenaries, no doubt strong with the way the words of confidence fell as to the nature of the people who came here. Her eye gave a glance over her shoulder, a quick count as the attention was put upon her. She gave a nod to Red, "What can I say? You look like you'd remove my head in less than a heart beat if I breathed wrong."

He only snorted at that and snapped his attention back round to Zandelia. Whilst the woman leaned in, an attempt to bore into him with the gaze, the air almost igniting as Fallon's own darted between the pair. Until there was laughter. Cheeks tinted, the look of fluster upon the face of the woman caused Fallon's own head to tilt to one side almost confused as to why it had occurred. Regardless, it was somewhat adorable to see the refusal to back down to the amused tones that escaped. Nostrils gave a flare, a slide of the gaze back round to the mercenaries in the tavern, before she simply blinked at him. There was a flicker of regard down to the ribbons once more, her lips pursing into a line as she considered what was being said and simply nodded.

Zandelia had indeed done the work on this occasion - but it left Fallon with the uneasy feeling in her stomach that the woman was doing the task. Regardless, the mind ticked over as to how she could exactly thank her 'lass' later, and once more left her balancing upon the edge of uncertainty. She felt the emerald orb fall upon her, looking and choosing of the questions almost as if her face was smothered in them. Of course there was always questions searching for answers, knowledge even, to be used and cultivated into something of use. Gangs, territory, how does it work here? Pure force or different tactics? She already understood it was far from a solo job, but this was a different beast in comparison to the rest of Sunberth - that much was apparent. But how did they survive here?

Lips pursed, eyes narrowing as she simply reserved herself to listening. She could hear reluctance, a struggle in working out what was the entire picture was. It was beyond simple knowing that held such a place, it was beyond the brute strength and power plays of violence. Bonds would have to be formed, a foundation in which to bring people to band together to survive. A union of sorts or just a common bond that wished to be reached? Lacking blood, security, a place where the much needed peace of mind and simplicities could be obtained. A much needed normality against the harshness of the city that surrounded them. But brute force was not always the answer.

The words turned, twisting and growing before simply being put aside once more for careful focus to not over think things. An inhale, she did not fail to take the hint that Red had spoken and pushed herself away from the bar. The hand was still upon the tulwar hilt as she left, the flicker of a wolfish gaze resting there before they escaped into the outside. There was a wince, followed by the sharp raising of the arm against the light. Colours flickered, the head throbbing in response to the fresh - but still warm - air that greeted them. Dried lips were licked, a moment of regret on not actually getting anything to quench her thirst whilst in there, before quickly darting into the cooler shade.

"Could have been worse," she frowned and returned to her thumbing of the ribbons around her wrist. The frown continued to rest there as she leaned up against the wall and inevitably begun the slide down it. It was not long until she was simply resting upon her haunches and sucking in the air through and open mouth, "A lot worse." She shook the thought away, "I'm not really sure what I learned in there. I saw companionship, in the loosest sense of the word. And people working together towards a single shared goal..." Rubbing her chin she gave a glance to Zandelia, "Brute force would not work, that much is right. Need to understand the mentality of a cage fighter and to why this place is... sacred to them? That may be the wrong word. Either way, they feel the need to defend it... But, I do not think they know how to deal with some issues. Possibly. They have methods in which to deal with the alley... I..."

She stopped and promptly shook her head again, the frown refusing to budge - her thoughts were still scattered at best. It was her fingers that massaged her brow, "Need to take a step back. Over thinking again. Damn it." She sucked in the air, "Man power. They can't do some things. Investigate, protect... but paranoid to bring others in." Eyes blinked, and her head tilted up to Zandelia at that point, "Trust? The people of stumble need someone they can put their trust in to help them? Someone who knows how to use their smarts, to play the game and to rise up on top?" She paused, "So we... no I need to prove myself to them?"

[Zandelia]

“The loosest sense of the word,” she repeated softly, a thoughtful tone as her eye roamed the surroundings just to be on the safer side of caution, she found nothing but dirt and archaic regret, “an interesting choice of words. Tell me…were things much more different at the beginning between ourselves? I seem to remember an argument of sorts about a large arse” she continued without committing to a particular emotive tone.

“I also seem to remember someone who was good at forging deals, even if they did cheat a little bit. Perhaps, if they were to ponder, they would see a way to repeat what - though I say so myself - was perhaps their best success in their current endeavor?” she posed the question without hinting at and answer.

In truth she didn’t need to really, her role was to pass on thoughts. The shape of an idea here, the suggestion at something there. She had learnt long ago that if she were to be a teacher of sorts then there was no use trying to impose her will upon others. It was too difficult to do, they tended to rebel against such intrusion. She knew she could go further with Fallon perhaps but then that could be seen as a breach of trust. She had a mind to force certain things but her mind was her own. It was always better to let them come to the conclusion that she was hoping them to, her partner was no different in that regard. This was perhaps a new way of viewing things, though she knew the other woman to be especially observant. It took more than eyes though, you had to learn how to see correctly. She considered saying more, leading a little bit further inwards to her own mind.

“I do not think that you over think, just that you think in ways that causes the thinking to wriggle out of your grasp. You say that this place is sacred to them. A decent word but why? There are other taverns. There are other streets. Yet they choose this one,” she pointed back to the door momentarily, “not because they have to. Because they want to. Is it Red? Charismatic for a given portion of the word perhaps. But no, I don’t think so. They do it because this is their home. Their place in the world. They defend it because it matters to them. We need to do more than prove ourselves to them. We must, at least outwardly, become one of them. Deals can be broken and trust is a fickle beast… but loyalty is not so easily thrown aside. Of course, loyalty starts with becoming loyal. Or at least useful” she finished simply.

She had said enough, she hoped, to voice her own perspectives. What Fallon did with them was her choice. She would counsel as she had been asked to do so long ago now. That was her role, at least that was her working role. She was not sure what she had imagined when she had given her word to follow but she was ever more certain that she had not thought it would turn out the way that it had. Complications ensued and were largely a beautiful danger. She frowned and pulled the waterskin from her belt, she could see Fallon sweating profusely - so much so that a sheen was beginning to appear - and she passed it to her without a word. She required no refreshment…yet. She smiled softly and wondered. She was full of wondering these days.

“Tell me…where do you think power comes from? A short break whilst you drink perhaps? A spontaneous riddle,” she mulled over the idea for a few moments in silence before speaking once more, “pretend that we are somewhere else. Somewhere where honor can matter. A rich merchant, a holy priest and city ruler are in a room with one warrior with a sword. None of the others are armed. They each bid the warrior to kill the other two. Who survives?” she asked as she watched the other carefully and wondered if she had not looked after her well enough in the heat.

A constant guilt of failure perhaps but then she had poven herself a burden in some regards and it didn’t sit well with her at all. She hoped that she would not be a disappointment to the other. She had so many hopes of late, ones she was not sure she had thought to ever truly possess.

“If you can understand the riddle then, in a funny old way, you can understand Sunberth. The whole city is just another riddle. Larger I grant you, but a riddle all the same. And after your answer you can have this” she offered another ribbon - green this time and another slip of paper.

Mad and clever, vengeful yet reliant, I know more than most think and think more than most know. Concoctions around, from me they abound. I have much gold yet spend so little. Like shadows I cause things to disappear.

Of what use am I?

“And if you are good, well perhaps you will learn what I really think. That is poor incentive though, of course” she offered the parchment between her fingers, hanging limply and ready for the taking when wanted.

She would play of course, pull the note away at the attempt to snatch before giving it up. She had learnt her lesson with the foot stamp but she was not about to stop playing when it proved so amusing. Testing was always done in multiple ways, otherwise it was not worth the effort.

[Fallon]

"Maybe because it is a large arse," Fallon's face turned neutral and unflinching, "And I suppose it was so, everything needs to have a foundation to work on. And it was not cheating," she corrected, "It was merely using the tools I had at hand to their fullest capability. Regardless, I do agree it was very successful. Though, I do sometimes wonder if the receiver agrees with that."

She did not speak much after that, simply taking to her perch upon the floor and showing no immediate signs of moving. Her mind gave a flicker to the what had been said, a steady rise and fall of breathing as she focused herself through the hot air and the gradually aching head. Pressure had begun to grow once more, a dull throb that she had to sift through ideas and ponders. Licking her lips she tilted her head to one side, the silent mouthing of words as she worked - careful and considering what was being spoken to her. Occasionally, the green-blue orbs darted up to the sky, checking the position of the sun and wondering when the heat of the day would be upon them. It surely would not be long now, and with that in mind her skin writhed slightly.

"I suppose there the question then lies on how does one prove their usefulness?" Her thumbs twiddled, rose, and pulled at her shirt collar. Cooling down was something that was becoming pressingly necessary now, "How does one become one of them. By being an inhabitant and living their life. Hear, see and do. Join the beating heart and pulsing blood. Know the choices they have made and why they are made." Fingers massaged her forehead, a slow blink as she glanced around the alley, "I think I understand. Possibly... more reflection and information is needed before I can make a plan to achieve this."

Eyes flickered upwards to the frown and the offered water skin, silence ruling but the attention clear. Slick fingers reached up and grabbed it, flexing and shifting as she changed her grip. Contemplation for a moment, an exhale as she felt the sticking sweat beneath her layers. Uncorking it she took a glug of the liquid - drastically cool in comparison to her - and savoured it in her mouth. The gangs and the way the city truly worked was a difficult thing to grasp upon; numerous ties, thoughts and perspectives had to work in unison to reach an outcome, and each individual had to be plucked and tuned differently. It was indeed a great weave of multiple threads where the simplest and smallest tweak could cause the entire image to change - or worse, collapse on itself.

"Power?" Fallon questioned. She stopped the water skin for a moment, and hummed gently. There was an unshakable frown upon her face, "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely... but that is not the question." She licked her dried lips and applied the dribble of moisture to them before continuing, slowly and carefully speaking as she picked through her logic and begun to apply it, "The warrior represents the people, their potentially fickle ways and the choices they make. And the people are drawn to the highest bidder, if not by coin then in other fashions. Loyalty to the ruler, serving people, economy and even farming if you want to get right down to the basics." She paused and cocked her head to one side, taking a small sip and savouring the liquid.

"But it is still up to the people, the warrior to decide who to follow. Which largely depends on what they believe too, what will hold the most sway, coin, faith or loyalty - if any of them do that is...?" Letting her head rest against the cool wall, Fallon continued her slumping, "The ruler depends on a lot of things, people follow rulers because they believe they have power. Call upon men, arms and rally up forces from nowhere. Or maybe the one who seems to keep winning, regardless, the rulers have a thin grip upon the people that is easily lost - Rulers crumble easily, and by watching that it makes them loose the feeling of control and power... and if a ruler isn't powerful then why kill for them?"

Clearing her throat she pushed back the sticking fringe and exhaled, "Priests are a funny thing. There are numerous beings within the pantheon, each fighting for sway over the other. And of course, it depends on what their... spectrum is? I mean, what seems powerful and what seems as a deterrent. A god who calls for murder for example, wouldn't be one I would choose to follow. And of course, it also stems down to individual belief, leaving the priests a potential for insecurity and fracturing. There's no stability, and without stability power can't be harnessed... which leads again, why kill for them? Merchants on the other hand, are funny things..." she frowned, "There is the belief that money is power. And everyone depends on money, and it is the rich who hold sway over things... But, coin can't buy loyalty, and coin isn't limitless. You can only use so much before being in debt and when that happens, the people move elsewhere."

Sighing Fallon shook her head, "All need the warrior to secure their own power, but they can't bring themselves to work together to support the other... So..." It was finally she turned her head up to Zandelia, a firm and unwavering blink to the woman, "They all survive. Because the warrior leaves to find someone better to follow who can offer something the others can't. Safety."

Not clambering up from her perch, Fallon looked upon the offered ribbon and paper, took a final swig of the water, and promptly passed it back. There was an exasperated sigh as the woman played, a tired frown and glassy eyes looking upon her in a bemused fashion. The hand swatted, going past the play and straight for the belt. A firm tug, a pull down, and the sweep up of the free hand. Snatching it away, she thumbed the green ribbon, her brow creasing as she simply tied it loosely around her wrist with the others and then proceeded to read.

"Bashful maybe?" She mumbled, rubbed her brow but remained where she was. There was no real strength to bring herself to move, the body still yearned for the safety of the shade and simple coolness. Thus, choosing to stay put she begun to dissect what she knew, "Concoctions... potions of sorts? I heard he knows how to make certain useful liquids. Though I think poisons might be better to describe them. Never heard of him making things disappear though, and the way he acts. He generally trades things for other things - not always gold though. Supplies? Necessities? I think." Fallon rubbed her chin, paused and then shrugged, "Learn what you really think? So I've never known before? No fair." She continued with her pondering after that, slowly pulling apart what was before her, "He's a survivor. Rarely leaves his place and no one can hurt him... because something stops them from getting in? Something that also stops whatever haunts stumble from getting in too."

[Zandelia]

She watched Fallon for a long series of moments, the way she seemed to be draining of energy and almost becoming a shadow of what she knew her to be before her very eye. It was difficult to tell exactly what it was that was fading but she saw it, deep within. There was the attempt at the brave face, the stalwart stubbornness she knew all too well but behind that she was not herself. There was no playfulness, no desire to do anything other than get the task done and move onwards. The spark was flickering and she disliked seeing that occur. She looked around to search for danger before, satisfied, she sat down next to her woman, back pressed against the wall in a mimic. She sighed slightly, this was proving perhaps to have been a bad idea. The sun took its toll on them both, she could feel the sweat running beneath the armor.

“Almost, almost. Yes the warrior survives. He has the only sword and thus he has power. But then…what is power? It may corrupt, it may not. I am not entirely convinced that those who seek power are not corrupt when they start - that they just tell themselves they are not” she spoke thoughtfully, slowly as she took in a mouthful of water for herself before placing the skin back at her belt, “but you were closer with the belief….believe it or not” she smiled at that phrase slightly.

“Power is what rules people, whether it be personal, moral, economical or even the plain authoritarian type. But power does not exist in its own state. You cannot hold it in your hands, breathe it into your lungs. It has no existence beyond that which lies within your head. And the heads of others. The rules rule because they are allowed to. People believe that without them it would all collapse. It is how Robern got to the top, I’m sure of it. Deals, schemes, swords…these all played a part. But the true genius was the convincing of the masses. They supported him and the other syndicates” she looked into the middle distance.

She hated them but she had to admire them, they had sought to do something and had done so. It took a special kind of person to achieve the path of daggers and though she loathed them she was not prepared to dismiss them. A lifetime of learning had told her that to dismiss anything was a foolish act. She could admire them alongside hating them, even eliminating them such as remained. In many ways it was her admiration that made her a dangerous enemy - she studies them and put the links together. And if she could do that…well then she could emulate them. Except the one she would try to bring to the top the city didn’t deserve but was going to adore by the end if she had her own way.

“So who wins?” she asked as she placed a hand gently upon Fallon’s forearm and squeezed affectionately, “the one with the most convincing argument. The sword will sing for that which its owner calls most precious. No more and no less. It’s all an illusion, a shadow. You just have to learn to cast a larger one that all of the others. There are no happy endings for enemies in this game. You win or you die. Which two died however…changes from person to person” she pushed herself up once more, it was uncomfortable to stay wedged into the floor for too long.

She looked down and there was a small frown once more, she needed to get her somewhere cool and out of the Sun’s glare for a time and she was supremely glad that they would be heading to such a place as they talked over the riddle just given. Fallon was smart enough to answer it but the answer was half-complete in her mind. She offered her hand and pulled her up to her feet slowly, carefully and offering herself for balance if required before pressing onwards. She clasped her hands at the small of her back as she thought it through, how best to make suggestions or half-answers to goad on further thinking.

“Doler indeed,” she stated simply, “a clever man but a mad one. Often the two go together. Put aside whispers and dark tales. He makes poisons and healing draughts. He knows more than many people do, secret knowledge some say too. He has been known to make others disappear and then reappear. What…might I ask…can we see of use in that?” she asked dryly as she led them along, slowly and steadily.

“So you know of him then, good. Think of him as the brother to the streets then. They all go to him, they all need him. Yet sibling rivalry has a way of causing hatred between people. Such a shame. Now! The last note for you - you cannot open it until we have reached our last destination and done what is required of you there or I shall have a cup engraved to commemorate your loss in this game. A place you know well and I felt was pointless to put into a riddle”

“The Library of course. Shaded, cool and most of all…well let’s just say it is useful. Come little Wolf” she chuckled as the destination was set and the last note passed over.

[Fallon]

Hauled up to her feet, it took a few careful stamps upon the ground to ensure her footing. Her head still throbbed, a moment of dizziness as she moved, and a flurry of blinks. The words on power were still swarming around her head, twisting, turning and being put into something more understandable. What did it mean she had to do? What was necessary to secure the position? How could she? She looked to unify Sunberth under one banner, to bring it up and create a legacy like no other - but how was she to even start? Gathering like minded individuals was not the only thing, so many routes and options were there for the taking - it was just understanding them for what they were.

Her palm pressed against the wall, the alleyway flickering in her mind and ideas swum and settled. There was the breaking of a frown, the meeting in the middle and the slow words escaping, "Win or die huh? Wonder who will be the one to swing the blade in the end." She broke a wiry smile, "Not sure how to cast a bigger shadow though, not yet at least. Though... there leads to the question of who the those four are within Sunberth. Who is the ruler? Who is the Merchant? And who is the Priest? It would be interesting to see who fits in where..." She shook her head and discarded the thought, "Guess I just need to try and get enough backing now so I don't get run through. Be messy if that happened."

She needed to focus, guide her own steps one in front of the other and forge a steady path forward. Once it was done with whatever little game Zandelia had planned, the sooner she could pull herself into some dark, shaded corner and strip herself of her armour. Regardless, she simply listened, catching the small frown upon the woman's face, the faint flicker of worrying framed there. Her shoulder did tap against the other briefly, and then slid away as she found steady footing and allowed herself to walk, "Make things disappear and reappear? We could... use it as a way to hide things? Or ourselves? Have it so the trail is lost of a particular target to escape detection? Or to catch something? Or maybe... to move from point A to B without being known?" Fingers gave a tug to the ribbons around her wrist, a small narrow down onto the three colours - blue, red and green - before once more she looked up to the woman, "I'm not really sure I understand the question...?"

Not that it seemed to matter, Zandelia was leading them along now to the library - a haven of knowledge and cool that was much appreciated. Perhaps it was the knowledge that it was their destination, that her steps seemed to quicken to the point of hurrying to escape the relentless sun. Fingers gave a wipe of the chin, reflex almost to wipe away the sweat that would have accumulated - and remained unware that there was no more sweat to pull upon. Her chest gave a heave, cheeks flushed in the heat as she declined the assistance to maintain balance. No, she needed to get there on her own strengths one way or another - more so if she was to do what she had planned. There was a nod however to the passing of the note. She could be patient, for a while at least - she had to be it seemed. There was a snort, her brow raising as she breathed, "A final challenge then? Or a penultimate? Very well, as you wish, I shall not view... Sunshine."

Pushing the library door open was the last task, and seemingly the hardest in her escape into the cool. But it was a well earned task. The scent of dust greeted her, the lapping cool of the wood and books greeting her in an instant. A foot gave a lurch, stamping almost as it found the floor. She could almost see Remmy flinch and look up from her position behind the desk, before once more returning her attention to the books. Fallon only managed a nod to the woman, before taking those careful, sweeping steps along and towards the shelves, before promptly pausing. Pivoting back round she rocked upon her heels and gave a blink to the woman.

"So, what is it you require me to do?" Fallon whispered and tugged at her collar, willing in the cooler air to displace the warm. Her other hand promptly fanned at her face, the slow whistle of escaping from her lungs. Her Lykata almost itched however, willing her to put aside games for the pursuit of other things, "What task have you set out? Make a friend? Find something?"

[Zandelia]

“Oh I do not think that Sunberth has exact comparisons for that particular mental puzzle. It is too unruly and nebulous for that, which is actually better. There are no true paragons of ideals here, no institutions really. There are gangs and establishments but nothing so major that cannot be overcome with the right tactics and the right allies. It was the general idea I was trying to convey,” she stated simply as she walked slowly, “the fact that with a tongue like yours you could sway many that would normally choose others. You are clever and persuasive, enough perhaps to convince people to believe” she continued before pausing and considering.

She turned once they had crossed the threshold, they were in no danger here as long as she spoke softly. She had checked their back trail as they walked regularly and had seen none following them. She was not about to be surprised as she had been before. She was wiser now perhaps, less given to flights of fancy simply because she was in the company of one she enjoyed. She knew she had been to blame before, it would not happen again. Once the door had shut behind them she looked at Fallon directly, gaze firmly meeting the others as she pulled the water skin from her belt again and placed it into her hands, there would be no arguments. She leant in ever so slightly so that their face were almost touching then as she kept the gaze.

“And never say that you think I believe it was a poor deal. It was not. It was one of the best things that could have happened to me. That will never change, whatever happens…you remember that” she finished, words soft and the space between them narrowing further briefly before she turned and stepped away between the shelving once more.

She was not sure that Fallon had been serious, whether she had been joking or teasing but she would not have such thoughts hovering there. She might not always agree with the woman, at times was exasperated by her moods or activities. That was natural, to be expected. No one got along with someone every moment of every day. She had heard happily married couples having spent decades together yell a whole street into a sleepless night so many times as to make murder for such an offense upon the dreams of others an agreeable accomplishment. She was not the easiest of people to live with she knew but she did her best, she was growing old and difficult perhaps - though she preferred wiser and experienced as a description. She shook her head and pushed such thoughts aside for now, today was a day of youth. Whether it was her own revitalized or Fallon’s still burning bright.

“I was thinking,” she paused and turned her head backwards to convey the words properly, “more about making people disappear. True it could be used to transport and hide but the true trick would be to make our enemies disappear. Not the foot soldiers, they can stay. The leaders. Captured and then…gone. Fighters follow leaders, leaders can change. But first the current ones must be dealt with” she smiled grimly then and looked at her before pressing on to one set of table and chairs.

“As to what you must do, it is really very simple. You like to read…so read. You like to be cool so be cool. I have heard tell of something in here that I would like to know. I have not your talent with such things but I have no doubt you will find it fairly quickly,” she sat into a chair and grinned as she drummed her fingers upon the table top, “what I want to know is why this library was founded. I presume that Remmy knows. Make a friend of her” she pushed herself up then and walked over to place a finger under Fallon’s chin to tilt it upward slightly.

“As for myself, you keep the water. I have to accomplish something very important. When you are able to claim the reward open the note and you will know what you must do to take it,” she brushed their lips together briefly before pulling back, “have fun Wolf. And remember when you read, I know you better than you think perhaps” she stated.

With that she squeezed the shoulder once and began to make her way out of the building. Truthfully she did not know how long it would take. Long enough she hoped, she had things that required her attention. She would still have little enough time as it was and she would use it as best as she could. It was important after all.

Beam of light, bereft of cover, shining for you alone. That which you’ve won, ready to be taken but take care it is not owned. Crafty critter, slinking creature, led you a merry twist. A wager of sorts, that during this sport, the colors are upon your wrist.

Come To The Apartments

[Fallon]

"My tongue is only good when I know what things to say to the right people. For example, saying you have a lovely beard would both be insulting and incorrect to you. Saying you have a sharp mind that could do better however..." she frowned, exhaled and continued on. Pausing only briefly she took the weight of the water skin once more in her hands, the firm gaze and the set look that gave her no point in objecting - the woman's mind was set. Eyes gave a blink, cheeks tinting for different reasons as the woman leaned in, and her pulse quickening slightly. She gave a swallow, the mind racing through what was to happen next. Those soft words, barely a whisper with the closing in of space - her head gave a swim as the woman stepped away, "I will remember."

There was little more than silence, a careful uncorking of the water skin once more as she took a long glug of the liquid. Gasping, her chest gave another heave, parched lips adjusting to the feeling of liquid and the body adjusting to the cooler air. It made her feel slightly nauseous in a way, the stomach twisting to the intrusion of moisture. There was a slither of a grimace, another tug upon her collar as she looked about and took the many shelves in, a clearer line of thought beginning to return. With her form starting to relax, she begun to keen herself on what was possible and before her. Hair was brushed behind her ears, the orbs gaining back their colours from the earlier glassy look, with the pulse beginning it's gradual decrease.

"That makes sense, breed in disorganisation then plant a new face to rally to. People rally to power, even subconsciously," she gave a tap of the side of her temple, a rough exhale as she returned her gaze to what was around them. Gloved tips traced across the table top, a thoughtful expression coming over her, "Disable, take over... and be bright enough of a light to hold the attention of the fighters when their old leaders return. Yes... that could work. But how and who to target is the questions now. I sense a lot of ground work will be needed." She gave a shrug at that point, "I suppose that will be one way to use up the summer season."

Eyes flickered as the woman explained the task for this occasion, that steady rhythm upon the wood surface. It seemed like a straight forward task, and one which she would be able to not only take her time in but would also work to the better side of her abilities; research, investigation, the hunting for knowledge and history through many a method. Cheeks puffed, her head tilting to one side as her demand was made clear. Leaning when she felt the finger, a gentle press back when the lips brushed and the final confirmation of what was planned.

"I see..." she frowned briefly, then begrudgingly nodded. She still had not opened the "Well... until then I guess." Sliding into the chair, Fallon took the moment to pause. Her head rolled back, her entire form having simply slumped into the wood as she took the opportunity for some respite against the heat. Eyes blinked, slow and steady, the palpations reaching a level beat as she relaxed. A plan of action was needed, and whilst part of her itched to simply open the note she chose not to. Not yet at least. Another swig of the liquid - she promptly secured its stopper and swirled it around her mouth.

The first point of reference would probably be the among the history books of the library, to read upon the snippets of information that had been scribbled down by an untidy hand. Then there would be Remmy to question and interrogate in the nicest fashion possible - she had no ill against the librarian, and thus would serve to keep it as clean as possible. From there she could begin to build up an image of what the library was about. Part of her itched that it was little more than some collector who fancied novels, but the way Zandelia had worded it suggested otherwise.

"Something in here that I would like to know..." she licked her lips. No, it was more than just the why factor, that niggling urge and curiosity that pushed her forward as a seeker of knowledge. There was more than just books. Her lykata gave a throb, her eyes flickering down to the gloved hand. It was gently she peeled it away to let the bare skin breath to the cool air. The Golden Lomar greeted her, the Lykata making itself known. There was only a smirk, the near silence of the library finally coming to the for front of her mind. Combing the library for reading material would take a long time and could possibly run the risk of not finding the answers anyway, then again her blessing could also fail her too.

Standing up she sucked in the air, cooler feeling now and begun to pace. The other glove was pulled off, bare digits feeling over the wood and books. A low hum escaped her throat, a gentle step as wood creaked beneath, and her focused was grabbed. A deep inhale, followed by an exhale. Focusing herself she thought about what was before her, the library, the shelves, the books and even the floor she stood upon. She thought about the building, the structure, what made it so. It was a quiet place, filled with knowledge and waiting to be discovered. No, more than that. Secrets to be discovered.

The gnosis gave a flicker, her eyes narrowing as she tried to tune out the world around her. Feel, see, understand the contributions left behind. Her throat tightened for a moment, a tremble of tips as the tips rested upon the surface and begun to drag with every dazed step. Images flickered, whispers of sounds, the dull ached of emotions - Curiosity, searching, looking. Hiding. Remmy? Her head tilted, her steps barely leading her on as she begun her combing of the building - or at least what she could access. The world tuned out, the sounds of voices, of pages turned, the dull thud of books and feet. Of doors closing.

Fallon paused then, a crease in her features, and her lids cracking open as she stopped. Her head turned to one side, a step back and a crouch down. Hands ran their course, the slip back into the dazed state of simply existing and understanding. Wind. Breeze. Thud. Crunch. Door but not a door. Steps. Forward. Her head tilted, a crouch down as she paused before the book case. Anticipation. Clicks, hums, twists. Turns. Disappears. She staggered up, lurching in her movement between the shelves. Confusion rose up, a bubbling curiosity that tried to understand what was before her. Hands still brushed, searching, feeling and focused. Something pushed. Something moved. What though? Boards groaned, a turn as she dipped between the shelves - instinct leading her forward. Hidden in plain sight. In and out. Pages and pages.

It begun to fade again, the dull niggling resting there within her head. Pinching her brow she gave a lean against the shelf, her brow creasing as she tried to process what was before her. Something was indeed hidden here. Though what exactly she was still unsure. She recalled the idea of the entrance, of something, a space existing beyond it - at least, the concept of it - with Remmy's name sliding back and forth within her mind a couple of times. There was only the smallest of peers to the librarian between the book cases, and it was clear the woman was engrossed with whatever it was she was doing. Some time had indeed passed, more than just a hand full of chimes - she was more than willing to bet it was coming up to a bell if not more already. But she was not done yet. There had to be something else. Taking a crouch, she tapped against the floor in careful thought, the contributions still being largely processed within her head. Hidden something, a hidden room perhaps? She shook her head. No, it was a silly idea. Why would a library have such a thing?

Her mind flickered to the past, to Syliras, of the time she had used her gift in the burned out warehouse - and the apartment of the man with its own hidden room it had shown her. No, it was very much possible. Fallon chewed upon her lip, her brow creasing. Was this what Zandelia meant? The Library served as a front face to hide something beneath? It was the only answer she could summon up to the fore that seemed to make sense. Taking a moment of rest, and satisfied she had found some form of an answer - if not an obscure one - she took a long swig of the water skin once more. It was growing light now, painfully so - and it made her wonder just how much longer it would last.

The note was unfolded, a read through the lines, and the subtle curl of the lips. Eyes flickered down to the ribbons, the image painting itself within her head. There was only the gentlest of snorts, a rise up onto her toes, a stretch out as she prepared herself for the heat outside. Her piece of light, her bright smile, the one who shone within her darkness. Her Sunshine. It was quietly she left the library, hands wriggling back into the gloves and her gaze set forward. If by apartments Zandelia had meant the Sunset Quarter, then that was going to be her first destination to search. She stuck to the shadows, slow and careful steps as she took her time. Rushing would do more harm than good after all in this heat. Gently she thumbed the ribbons, a moment of regret already for leaving the cool of the library, but accepting it as necessary if she wanted a chance to find the woman. And once she got there the true fun of searching the area would begin.

[Zandelia]

Stepping into the outside world after a time, albeit short and fleeting, in the musty cool shadows of the library was akin to stepping into the maw of a furnace. She had felt heat before, many kinds of heat over the years but this was becoming difficult. There was no dryness to it, the salt winds of the coast sweeping in to swamp the dirt streets with a humidity she had not experienced for a year at least. It was…uncomfortable. Still she took solace in the fact that she would grow used to it soon enough. Perhaps, if things became sour and flight was the only option it could be considered training even - she had heard tell of the weather of Zeltiva. She paused at the threshold, glancing back over her shoulder for a time with concern. Was it the right thing to do, to leave her there by herself? She could handle thugs well enough but she was drained. She shook her head then and set out, there was work to b done.

Small work, little pleasures but I hope they will be appreciated. One night, the gods will give us one night or I‘ll spit in their eyes she told herself as she slipped into the streets.

She was taking no chances and she had precious little time but she circuited the area outside the Library as fully as she dared to. Smaller alleyways were written off as foolish ventures put she did pace a half-dozen into the wider ones and searched their crevices, niche points where the bitter would hide. Nothing, there were no cutthroats or thieves here. She stepped back out of the last larger alleyway and the crunching of a boot caught her ear, quick steps and panting breath. She ducked to the side, leaving her right leg extended enough to trip her assailant. She pulled out a dagger as she cursed and rolled to send up clouds of dust. She stepped in and he lunged upwards with a sword. She leant back to let it pass before her and batted at it with her weapon to force it further away.

“Have a death wish bitch?” he snarled at her as they circled slowly.

“Perhaps” she smiled at him.

“You what?”

“I said perhaps. Did you mean that I want to die or that I want you to die?” she laughed at him mockingly. Angry men made mistakes.

“Shut the fu-”

She darted in and the dagger slammed side face into the cross guard of his sword to prevent him from using it. She snapped her knee forwards and into his groin with a somewhat satisfying whimper of pain coming before the crumple. It was simple enough to grab his wrist then and extend it so that his blade was under her control. She stamped onto his ribs a couple of times with the heel of her boot to shut him up. All there was now was hissing, slow and labored. She placed the blade against his inner wrist and cut in ever so slightly. His eyes flared and he went to struggle before her boot caught him in the teeth, a bloody mouth now.

“I wonder…how long would it take to cut off your hand with a small toothpick like my dagger? It’s sharp but, you know, I don’t think it has the weight for a quick time of into?” she bit into the flesh to emphasize her point.

“No! Nononononono! Please don’t…don’t ta-”

“Take your hand? Why? Were you planning on not taking from me? It would seem there is a debt of sorts. Oh very well, not the hand. Something else then? More precious?” she nudge his loins with the tip of her boot and a dark glare came to her gaze.

“Take the hand!”

“An unwise choice, you can live without petching” she sheathed her dagger and pulled the sword from his fingers, swung it around into his wrist….it left her with just his hand in hers and she dropped it with a distasteful wipe of her fingers upon her cloak.

“Thank you for the payment,” she looked down at him, pooling blood and passed out by the looks of it.

He wouldn’t last long enough to complain but she did drag his body into the alleyway and searched his person. A coin pouch was all he possessed upon closer inspection. She was squatting over him and wondering whether to let him bleed out slowly. He was a thief and likely a rapist after all, a woman in an alley - the most original of takings. She snorted at her lack of better judgment and opted for mercy, a sliced throat. Wiping the blade upon his ragged shirt she picked up his sword and looked at it. It was a dull and worn affair. She took his scabbard and sheathed it, holding it in her left hand and took one final look at the man who would kill a spider.

“Thank you for the sword too” she stated before setting off once more.

She was quick about it and no one wanted to stop her with a weapon in her hand and ready to draw. Not long at all until the Sunset Quarters were around her and the apartments available for board were found. Walking in she handed over the price asked for and found the room. It was a decent enough affair with space for the two of them. It had a fire but that was repugnant in the heat but it also had a basin for washing and that was far more enjoyable, large enough to sit in too. She left her weapons upon the rough wooden table, all of them but her tonfa and her father’s sword which she buckled to her left hip. She slipped down the stairs quickly and found one of the girls who looked after the establishment.

“What does you want mistress?” she asked her timidly, eyeing the weaponry.

“Oh what I want you can’t give me these days but what I need , that is the better question. Walk with me for a while and I will tell you of this need” she put her arm around the girl and led her to the door.

Once their conversation was done she handed over a decent sum, it paid to be generous with the poor as you never knew when they would spit in your meal. Twenty gold - some for purchases and the rest for the girl - a reasonable sum for a comfortable evening. She did not know how long she had but she fancied it would be long enough. Their belongings were safe where they had been stashed away in the darkness until they returned to take them up and move once more. Such things were fleeting materials that could be found anywhere for the most part. Things could be bought, memories could not. She returned to the room to wait, discarding her armor and all clothing but trousers and her thin, almost worn through blouse.

She still had time.

[Fallon]

The Sunset Quarter was hot, much like the rest of the city. The dulled wood seemed to blend together, the heat rippling up from the ground in waves, and the hot glaring glowing being near blinding as she moved. Her eyes narrowed, the white rim of brightness catching around her sight, the final dribbles of moisture finally being drained from the water skin. Her throat begun to close up after that, growing parched and tight as she forced the steps on to continue. Cheap was the thing that came to mind whenever she graced the area, barely held together in some places whilst others stood stronger. But most noticeable was the lack of anything other than lodgings. Room after room, apartment after apartment - it was a maze to say the least.

She gave a hop into the shade, lips parting as she sucked in the air, heat filling her lungs once more as the ridiculous levels of temperature begun to rise up and consume. Sticky, hot, she gave a step and a move away from those who hovered nearby, rolling dice and doing little more than gambling what scraps they had. Her eyes shifted, taking them in as she lurched and paused, gaze sweeping and searching for the woman. She could not have gone far - at least, that was what she told herself. No doubt she was waiting somewhere obvious, in sight but cool. It was simply the task of finding her it seemed. But even that quickly seeped up to that of difficult.

Pausing at the corner, she gave a glance, eyes adjusting within the light and the sweat once more making itself known. Flies buzzed somewhere, her hand swatting them away when they buzzed too close whilst the limbs complained about further movement within the heat. Sapping, absorbing, heat did indeed drain her. The exhaustion she had recovered from earlier begun to pile up against her once more, eyes slipping and sliding shut for a moment. A moment of rest would not have gone a miss, though leaning up against the wall of a building was far from a suitable spot to do so. Besides, she still had to find Zandelia among the people.

With a firm push off, Fallon took another step. Forced and calculated, the careful survey of the surroundings as she gingerly stepped around the others who had fled into the shade of a cool building. How long had she been outside now? She mused on occasion. The walk from the library was indeed a long one, more so with the sun still high in the sky and merciless in its glare. Shade had been limited, long treks down open streets forcing her to take a slower and more steady pace, with her hand obviously gripped upon the hilt of one of her blades. Even now she forced the steps forward with determination, although they were beginning to falter.

The world shifted and gave a blur, colours running together, mixing and then pulling apart once more. Shaking her head, she blinked at the street before her, shades gradually turning monotone and lifeless in their glamour. She stiffened for a moment, her hand slapping down onto the water skin before she silently cursed. Empty, she knew it was. Another forced step, feet heavy as she tried to push on - the sooner she could find Zandelia, the better. If not out of preference then the growing sense of urgency that was starting to rise up. A lurch, a throw down of a foot to make sure she did not stumble, and a deep inhale. More cursing, the gentle throb of a headache rising up once more.

A turn of another corner caused her head to spin once, shapes twisting and melding together with every step. Breaths quickened, pulse rising up as the dried throat begun to close in. Where was Zandelia? Where could she be? Was this also part of the task?

Flinching, she thought she felt the tight grasp of something up her, the entire body jerking in reflex. Skin prickled, hair rose and fell, the sweat layer beginning once more to run dry upon her. The throat closed up, deep gasps of breath as it searched the arid air for moisture. Cracked lips were attempted to be wetted, a lurch as the space seemed to spin and the whispers begun to trace her ear. Temptations, the nudge to simply let her eyes fall and rest - the promise that to do so would lift the state of nausea that begun to grip. There was a turn, feet uneven and catching upon themselves, a flurry of blinks as she tried to take the shifting lines in once more -bright and sharp within her vision before once more blurring at the edges.

Her shoulder gave a press against the wall, breathing hard and unsteady as she tried to find some levelness. She was not quite sure when she felt the warm wood against her cheek, the dirt floor looking up and laughing in its haunting tones - or melody as it seemed to be quickly coming to be instead. Knees pressed against the floor, the scene shifting, the skin growing flushed and struggling. Where was Zandelia? She was waiting for her was she not? Water, where was it? Gone.

Eyes screwed shut, a grit of teeth as she tried to focus through it and the headache that was beginning to rise. Limbs gave a shake, hands splayed out across the ground the shadows forming new shapes - illusions and images dancing before her eyes. She saw the shape of a blade, least that was what her mind, enough so that it forced her to scrabble forward and up into one of the narrower streets. Bright light greeted her, a hiss escaping and her back almost slamming into the wall of the building. Once more she slid, everything coming and going in slow, sluggish states as things begun to fail to register. Where was she? What was going on? She felt the ground beneath her once more, disorientation taking over and barely shouting at her to move. It would be easier just to rest, right?