Completed In the shadow of His mercy

[Faolan Lundgren]

Faolan Lundgren OOCI'll second Yoona and hope that I'm not messing anything up by sticking Faolan in this mess too... Faolan stood there as the woman before him studied him. He wasn't sure what he was being sized up for, but he hoped he hadn't just landed himself in a world of trouble by offering to help her. When she accepted his offer and walked away he shook his head slightly in confusion and started off into the crowd in the opposite direction. His nose twitched slightly as he tried picking up the girl's scent, he had a feeling she would bear a faint trace of the other woman's scent and paused when he came across it. The girl's scent was mixed with yet another woman's scent. Wondering how many people this group knew he sighed faintly, this could become problematic. Following the two smells through the crowd he wove his way through the people without really touching anyone. The goal was to slide by unseen if possible. He wasn't the most graceful person but he tried to think of those around him as trees in a heavily wooded forest, running into them would get him nowhere so it was better to go around as best as he could. He bumped up against people and stepped on a couple toes, for which he apologized repeatedly, but he didn't just plow through people, not wanting to draw attention to himself. Huffing lightly as he came upon a man's scent that mingled with the other two he looked up as he heard a shriek. Scowling at the situation in front of him he stood where he was as he watched the scene unfold. Not sure if he should do anything he crept forward carefully. Standing a few feet away he ignored the people who scooted away from the confrontation that was going on. As the woman who had accepted his help jumped on the man who was holding the girl off the ground and was bitten at the same time by another woman he found himself regretting offering his help. After all this wasn't a situation he should be caught up in, but there was a little girl in danger and he wouldn't be able to live with himself for a while if she came to harm when he could have helped. Looking for an opportunity to grab the girl from the man while he was otherwise engaged with the attacking women he shifted his weight from one foot to another. The young Kelvic knew there was danger involved if he managed to get a hold of the girl. He would have to get them a safe distance away but not so far that the two women thought he was taking off with the girl too, or he could just set her down and tell her to run. No, that felt too dangerous for her. If there was one man after her there were bound to be more lurking about. To shove her off on her own into the crowd would not be a good solution. Waiting close enough that he could exploit a loosened grip or the man dropping the girl he decided that he would pull her into the crowd nearby and ask her if she knew anyone else here, or a place to hide. Either would suffice really, as long as he could get her to safety before he tried to disappear into the crowd himself.

[Inoadar]

Inoadar Inoadar's grisly reverie was shattered suddenly, images of helpless victims being slowly stripped of their skin, nailed by their feet to ceilings or having their joints reversed to bend the wrong way, were scattered by a passing hand. Daegron's hand! Slapping him free of the hold this parade of visions had on him. It was not that they were visions of people being maimed and tortured that so upset him. He'd certainly had his share of experience on both ends of that spectrum; quite recently in fact. No, it was the fact that somehow, Vera's face, blanched, twisted and horror stricken with the onset of agonized madness, was superimposed on the victims' faces. An epiphany struck him, both weakening and strengthening him at the same time. He loved Vera! Like a proud father, watching the culmination of his life's purpose being shattered before his eyes, he felt emptiness engulf his soul, only to be refilled by the acknowledgment that he could avert this disaster by simply giving himself up. It was so easy. Suddenly he felt he understood all the incongruities of the last season's events. The strange arrest, when, if anything, he was a more loyal citizen than ever in his life. The odd nature of the charges against him. The even more odd release, when he'd done nothing to disprove them. The simple return to his life with no real demand that he change any part of it. It had seemed so pointless. But now he realized. It was not about him. It was about Vera! It had ALL been about her. He'd been subjected to all this pointlessness just to drive his very insignificance home to him. His only saving grace WAS Vera. She was clearly destined to outdo him in chemical expertise and creativity. He'd seen what a natural she was. This had been the reason he'd gone along with her rescue from that fat herbalist in the first place. City ordinance demanded he should have turned both Vera and Vanari over to the Stryfe. He had done this one misdeed by the subconscious order of Rhysol! It HAD to be! This one time, Rhysol did not wish the protocols of non-citizen enslavement to be followed, and Inoadar had been privileged to be his Lord's tool. There needed to be punishment. But Vera needed to be nurtured...educated...coaxed along the path to that level of chemical artisanship that only she could hope to attain. She would set a new historic standard. Inoadar had been delegated to receive that punishment, both to satisfy the law, and to impress upon him the singular purpose for his release...To save Vera from this bounty hunter. He began to smile. The bounty hunter had Vera and wanted him instead. He needed only to trade himself to the man to see Vera freed. He would GLADLY give himself up to secure this future for her. And his other friend, Vanari, would be there to see to it that Vera was care-...He suddenly saw that the "blind" bounty hunter was no longer looking in his direction. And there was some sort of commotion off at an angle behind him. Vanari! Fighting with the bounty hunter's cohort. Vera in terrible danger. The slave, Yoona, approaching from behind. The bounty hunter giving his man some signal, probably warning him of Yoona's approach. And then an additional element. One that Inoadar had just concluded was not in the interest of Rhysol's will this one time. Ebonstryfe soldier's, in the distance, but looking this way, trying to gauge if this commotion was something other than the zeal of worshipers...

[Daegron]

Duplicate.
It worked! Rare as anything, an impulsive action that carried no retaliation, nor bore any consequence. The vacant, hypnotized stare was gone in merely a moment, though the doctor was thoughtful still. And it was a couple of ticks later that the man's gaze flashed, as if some profound truth was uncovered. And a smile, unlike any other he'd seen painted on the poisoner's face before appeared.

Daegron followed the green eyes as they scanned through the crowds. People were averting their gaze from them, either huffing with scorn at their insolence or bored that nothing of interest had occurred. The man who was focusing his magic on Parnell wasn't there any more; a strategic retreat perhaps, that would be followed by another mental attack ? That remained to be seen, and the Morpher knew that he had to be very careful and focused, lest he become a puppet once more. Loosing himself was not going to happen, not today nor ever !

Daegron caught a glimpse of the Chaktawe woman pushing and shoving her way against the mass of worshippers. He couldn't help but grin at her persistence and the startled or angry faces she left behind her. And though at first she seemed to aimlessly circle around, her destination soon became clear. One of the men he'd spotted earlier had already grabbed the young girl that escorted Parnell and another woman was on him, fighting with tooth and nail. There was the flash of steel and a deft stab that she'd managed to avoid while trying to free the poor girl from his grasp. The desert dweller was probably trying to flank that man and from the way that she waved her fists, it was easy to deduce that she was eager to turn him into a punching bag. Daegron was pretty confident that those two would take care of the thug. He was very certain that this scuffle would thankfully earn everyone's attention. In the midst of a sea of people, he'd be able to avoid unwanted eyes.

This situation would soon escalate, and he still remembered what had happened last time that a scuffle started amidst the crowds. A bit of planning was needed. There were surely more of those bastards scattered amidst the crowds, and the mastermind was nowhere to be seen. A feeling of self-preservation combined with a curious desire to be part of this mess made the decision easy. It was also the added fact that should he help the "good doctor", the debt would be clear or at least they'd get even. Of course "even" was a term that he could not quite define since he could not even begin to imagine what kind of devious plan Parnell was working against him all this time.

The element of surprise was to be introduced, this time against this band of unbelievers. An idea was formed into the Morpher's mind; it was time to give their assailants a bit of...confusion. And in that confusion, they'd overcome and prevail.

Once again, he turned to look at Nolan and taking advantage of his target's divided attention, while hoping that the blade wouldn't end up ripping his own gut, he forcefully grabbed his shoulders pulling him close.
"They're after you ! " he said and after stating the obvious he let a sinister grin appear.
"Indeed. they're after us !" he repeated and his voice turned deeper as he started mumbling incoherently.

He'd studied Nolan Parnell before. He'd spent many times staring at him, calculating him, trying to understand what his next move would be. He knew him well. He'd memorized his face, his structure, the way he moved, his cold expression. And in that dark cell that the man had locked him in, he'd tried to immitate him. He'd tried to look like him, to be him. And now the model was in front his eyes as the words escaped his thin lips.

His focusing mantra grew louder and joined the worshipers' chant, adding a deep dissonant voice in the dark symphony that the mass prayer was. And in that bleak discord he focused into himself and beckoned his essence to obey. And through sheer will it shifted and like a blot of ink it spread throughout his body, leaving behind a stain of djed that would initiate the transformation. It was ravishing how powerful his magic felt after that special treatment at the NMSS. How swiftly his flesh and bones were rearranged, how his Djed re-designed himself. How the pain that accompanied his changes was kept to a simple discomfort. His tanned skin slowly bleached till his complexion matched the paleness of Parnell's. His broad shoulders were pulled inwards and while bones rearranged, the muscles around them compressed till his figure matched the wiry doctor's. His mane receded back into his skull until their length was short enough. His stubble sank into his cheeks and his jaw narrowed. It took less than a chime to complete the transformation; all the while the Morpher sang under his gritted teeth, poorly imitating the sardonic grin that he knew so well. He even went as far as to shorten his two digits, copying the man's injury.

When it was over, Daegron noted that the man before him had finally worn his usual ominous stare and was hopefully working on a plan. From a distance, both men looked the same. They both wore dark clothes, and he doubted that anyone would notice the differences. Someone who did not know the poisoner well, could be easily fooled. They could even be mistaken for twins. At worst, the transformation was good enough for them to gain a few precious moments. They needed to make these moments count.

Daegron hastily removed his hood revealing his new visage. A quick look around was enough to ensure that no curious eyes took notice of the Morphing. At least he didn't see anyone squinting or trying to understand what has just passed. He broke his chant phrasing a question that sounded more like a demand.
"Your... plan... brother ?"

[Vanari]

Vanari sucked in a deep breath and walloped the man in the face. She wasn't entirely sure which part of her own body she had just used. Her knuckles, her palm, her elbow--it all happened so fast the Vantha had only mere ticks before the man was regaining his senses again. "You little--" The bounty hunter's words were cut off as a pair of tawny, corded arms wrapped around his neck, yanking him backwards. Then, before he could even react, his mouth stretched open in silent pain. Vanari could hardly believe her eyes. Vera, flailing viciously under his arm, had somehow managed to whisk up the dagger that had fallen out of her kidnapper's hand and stick it straight into his thigh. Consumed with agony and still fighting strangulation, the man dropped his victim to claw one hand at the chokehold around his neck and the other around the protruding hilt of his own dagger. For a moment, Vanari was so awash with relief she noticed nothing else but Vera's approaching form. Then paranoia rushed back all at once and she stood stock straight, staring out into the crowd. There, not too far from where their scuffle occurred. Stryfers, looking right at them! "Vera, you can't stay. You have to find Parnell. Quick, before they see you!" The words came tumbling forth and Ari had only a vague awareness she was even speaking them. Her attention had almost complete devoted itself to the dubious looking Ebonstryfe. Alas, if only that were their only problem. Vera was reluctant to obey, but there was an increased urgency in her auntie's tone as the Vantha caught sight of something even more alarming. The blind bounty hunter...the one that she'd managed to dodge all of last season before returning to Ravok in what she had hoped to be absolute innocuousness. He had noticed something wrong and was making for them as well. If he got his hands on the child, Ari wasn't sure she could simply bite him. Ah, but the woman! She had help! Vanari snapped her gaze toward Vera's slave, unsure of whether she had attention enough to spare at the moment. The blind man's partner was momentarily incapacitated but not dead. It was only a matter of time before they were matched two for two, and with the Vantha being completely useless in a real fight. "Vera, please! You have to run..."

[Yoona]

Yoona could feel fingers and nails begin to dig into the flesh of one of her arms as the assailant fought against her. It was annoying, and the slightest bit painful, but the Chaktawe woman's hold didn't falter; gritting her teeth with the effort, she squeezed her arms closer together and applied as much pressure as she could onto the man's throat, all the while stumbling back a few steps. He was moving too damned much...but if she could avoid tripping over her own, bare toes, just long enough to knock the violent beast out...

There was a sudden increase of movement at her side, and Yoona spared a quick glance to her right, just in time to see Vera squirm her way out of the man's arms. Not only was this a relief, but with the man now hostage-less the Chaktawe woman had some extra leeway as far as fighting went. She was by no means a "professional fighter," but had been in a good handful of scuffles during her lifetime—most of which were between her and various, cocky slavers—and considered herself decently experienced. After all, what was there to fighting but inflicting pain and keeping oneself from being harmed? True, there were many techniques that existed, boasting both usefulness and a certain showiness that some enjoyed, but to Yoona, adhering to the basics was the most simple and effective thing to do.

It'd been a while, however, since she'd had to fight. And for once, it wasn't to save her own, endangered skin.

Still clinging to the man like a juvenile bear clinging to its first climbing tree, the Chaktawe woman threw a few more glances the child's way, fully expecting her to go running off into the crowd.

Which she didn't. Despite even the anxious demands of the other woman, the girl seemed hesitant to move. Yoona's eyes widened when she noticed this, confusion beginning to mix in with the determination on her bronze-skinned face. Surely the girl didn't think that she'd stay and fend the man off with the rest of them? 'What's the issue, child?! Don't just stand there and do nothing...! Listen to your "auntie" and run!!'

Then the man bucked, again, and Yoona let a native swear slip from her tongue as she continued to squeeze at his throat, the strain beginning to gnaw away at her muscles. It was only a matter of time before he'd manage to throw her off, if she failed to render him unconscious; the Chaktawe woman had no idea where the assailant's dagger had gone, but if it was still within his reach, she'd be in trouble.

Eyes scanning the turned heads and bewildered faces of the worshipers that surrounded them, Yoona's focus suddenly set itself on a far-off, unfamiliar figure that seemed to be coming toward them. She squinted a little, unsure of whether or not it was someone who was coming to end the brawl or join it, though her mind was quick to settle on the latter.

More trouble. Yes, she was almost certain of it. Their gait, the vibe that they gave off...even from a distance, Yoona could tell.

But then she spotted another figure, and to her relief, it was one that she recognized, if having only met said person a few chimes ago. The scruffy-haired boy who'd offered to help her track down Vera was nearby, and seemed to have his attention on the girl, herself. Good.

"You! Boy!" Yoona called, staring straight at him as she clung and moved her head out of the way of a grabbing hand. "Get the girl away! Now!"

Hopefully, he'd listen. And hopefully the child wouldn't go ballistic and lash out at him, thinking that he was yet another assailant intent on harming her. Then they could go off and find Inoadar, and her and the other woman would take care of these beasts.

Sparing the woman a glance, the Chaktawe woman decided she'd at least clarify a little. She knew what she was doing. ...mostly.

Whatever the case, if there was ever a moment in which she needed to force herself rely on a stranger's assistance, it was now. "He won't hurt her."

"Tawna" | "Common" | 'Thoughts' | Ruki

[Redd]

Redd had followed an order that had been given by her master, to attend the event at the temple. Honestly, the young wolf didn’t exactly understand as to why they were praying to a god about the fish. The fish was just as much of an animal as she was, couldn’t they just kill it with something when it came up? Could the people that did their magic thing, just use magic upon it? What was Rhysol going to do? A pained sigh worked its way upon her lips and with each step the took, her ribs protested and sent waves of pain through her body. Pain that could only be described as broken ribs really. Unless someone had experienced broken ribs, then they wouldn't know how it felt until it happened to them. Until they are beaten by a man that was fast... The young wolf would have preferred to be sleeping, resting upon a couch instead of attending this event. The whole thing was pointless to her, but she did have the city’s mark upon the back of her left hand, so she attended all the same. She didn't want to see people's faces as they reacted to a woman who no longer had both eyes and instead only had the one. She didn't want their pity, she didn't want their concern, she didn't even want their hatred. She wanted to be left alone, she wanted to still be out in the wilds running free, instead chains began to bind tightly around her, dragging her down and she knew that they would continue to do until she gave up.

Civilization, no matter how many times she tried to grasp the whole situation of it all, it just seemed silly to her. Stupid even. Humans that were a walking contradiction, they said something and did another thing. They would even prefer to laugh at their own kind rather than help them. Redd had tried to see the city of Ravok like a pack of wolves, but it was beginning to get way too complicated to do such a thing. Wolves were simple, they looked out for each other, they hunted together and the protected the young, old and helpless. The humans considered wolves to be beasts, but all they needed to do was look in the mirror and see that they were more beast than the wolves. They continuously planned to back-stab each other in the back, they even lied to each other. The woman was pulled out of her thoughts when she suddenly heard a voice, a voice that she hadn’t heard for over a season, but she was still unlikely to forget anyone. It was Yoona as she seemed to have yelled out to a boy. People continued to walked by the small brawl that had happened, but this woman, she knew her from when her previous master had caught her. Redd had been her pursuer and now it seemed like Yoona had gotten herself into more trouble.

It seemed like she was fighting off some men, men that looked similar to the slavers that she herself had fought off before. A frown creased her forehead before she decided that they were now on the same side. Yoona was a slave, just like she was, so they had to be on the same side. Silently, she wished that she could learn a human weapon so then she had a better chance at fighting off people such as these, but it seemed that she would just have to rely on what little combat skills that she had and her slightly elongated canines. The wolf noted a man that looked like a slaver, making his way towards Yoona and some other woman that stood beside her. The wolf snarled before her bare feet pushed her forwards, pushing through the crowd. With another snarl, she shoved her hands against the chest of the man, sending him stumbling backwards away from the two women. She bared her fangs at him refusing to glance back at Yoona. ”You looked like you needed some help.” She choked out, pain colouring her tone of voice. She shouldn't have done that, no, she should have just let it be, but she had done so and her ribs protested the movement.

OOCDon’t mind me, I’d figured I’d join in here to maybe sink my fangs into someone, lol. Hope that’s ok! Let me know if I’m stepping on some toes.

[Verin Rush]

His attention on the preacher, who was still uttering words of instruction and rebuke at the congregation of Ravokians, Verin was not privy to the onset of the dispute occurring in the middle of the masses gathered. Leaning against the pillar, the blond bartender wondered if there was any truth to the speaker's words. As an Acolyte, he had probably been instructed by the Druvin, who in turn were privy to the words of Rhysol or the Voice. It had occurred to Verin, as it had probably occurred to many, that the monster in Lake Ravok was a servant of the Defiler, sent to punish the citizens. But the... what great misdeed had the city committed?

" In order to live in submission to Rhysol, the patron and protector of our beautiful city, we must repent of those things that are an offense to him. We live in safety and luxury befitting our stations by his grace, and it is possible that that grace has been taken for granted by those who live on his lake. It must be recognised that Rhysol does not want our suffering, but it is necessary to remind us of our misdeeds."

If it was a servant of Rhysol, Verin imagined that it would take more than prayer to rid the lake of it... for why would Rjysol destroy it's own beast? Alternatively, if it were a natural phenomenon... why had Rhysol left it to fester in his haven for so long? Why had he allowed his loyal peoples to suffer. The young blond caught himself before his thoughts turned blasphemous.

A low grunt of pain was the first thing to alert Verin to the knowledge that not all was right among the masses. The second was the low murmur of voices near to him from a pair of Ebonstryfe soldiers and an Agent of the Black Sun. He followed their gaze and his own eyes fell first upon the Vantha woman and the apprentice girl, both of whom seemed to be held by another. Not far off, and clearly involved, was his associate and mentor... and then Daegron. The bartender's eyes narrowed.

But next came a scenario so surreal that Verin could not believe it. Vanari attacked her assailant, however that was not the surprising bit. What was shocking was how calmly she did so, as if she had been expecting something like this to occur. A little more observation allowed Verin to make the assumption that Nolan Parnell was the centre of this conflict - why else would the apprentice girl be attacked? A little more thought had the Black Sun hopeful deducing that this had nothing to do with why the poisoncrafter had been arrested; the assailant was not in relevant robes... but to cause such a scene at such an important event for the city... the entire party were in danger of being arrested.

Vanari. She was the key. She knew. She had apparently traversed entire regions to see Parnell. And this must be why. But all of this was irrelevant - all that mattered now was that the officials present (of whom there were many) would only see a group of potential rioters. Worse, when another appeared and sunk her teeth into the man. And for the sake of the sanity of his mentor and the girl, in his folly, he approached, with the Black Sun not far behind.

OOCWelcome to the party, Redd :3

This has become very confusing to me... took me many reads to make sense of my own response but if I've made a big mistake in understanding, lemme know xD now... if Rhysol wasn't originally punishing us, he definitely will be now, fighting in his Temple D:

Also... my sermons are probably rubbish.. sorry.

[Faolan Lundgren]

Faolan Lundgren Faolan wasn't quite sure what was happening but the girl had managed to get free and he knew they were starting to garner a lot of attention. Fidgeting nervously he watched as the girl stabbed the man in the leg with the dagger he had dropped. A smile tugged at his lips as it seemed that the women would be inflicting major injury on the big man who had threatened the little girl. Before he knew it the woman he had been assisting was yelling at him to take the girl into the crowd and go. With a nod he moved to Vera's side as she started into the crowd and gave her a soft smile, offering her his hand. He had a feeling if he went to pick her up he would get hurt either by her or the other woman that was helping the dark eyed woman would immediately seek retribution. "I'm Faolan, I was helping the woman who was on the man's back find you." he explained so she didn't think he was just some strange man who wanted to run off with her too. "I never did catch her name though, she was in a bit of a hurry to find you." he added. He had picked up Vera's name from the second woman who had been telling the girl to run. "Where or to who can I take you that's safe?" he asked her softly. They were a few rows of people away from the scuffle now and when he bent down to speak to her he disappeared from view. She took his hand as he asked that while saying something about a person she was with in the crowd and he stood back up so she could lead him through the crowd. He was happy that she didn't attack him, it had to be due to the way the woman on the assailant's back had yelled at him, there was no reason for the girl to trust him otherwise. He kept a wary eye on the people around them, not wanting to be the one that lost the girl after he had become responsible for her. He would have much preferred to head to an exit, but the young one's safety was first and foremost in his mind. Children always seemed to override his innate desire to just take flight from a dangerous situation, the urge to protect them was always stronger than the desire to run. He had ended up in a few precarious situations back in Zeltiva due to protecting children, but this was probably the most dangerous yet. He thought of taking off his cloak and draping the girl in it to help hide her, but then he realized that it would probably draw more attention to her in the end. A small girl running around in a cloak that dwarfed her would look strange indeed, it would have even drawn his attention in this situation. Instead he just stuck close to her as she lead the way through the crowd towards a destination he knew nothing of except what she had mentioned of someone called Parnell.

[Inoadar]

Inoadar Clarity came to Inoadar's rescue. Daegron's question giving him sudden focus. "Plan?..." he muttered to himself, realizing, even as he said it, there was need for one, desperate need. Where had his head been just now? He recalled the acknowledgement of fatherly love for Vera. This was no contradiction to what he knew to be true, though he rarely allowed himself to admit it, even to himself. But this nonsense that she would be freed if he surrendered himself. That was utter foolishness. This bounty hunter would kill her slowly anyway, and right before his screaming face. He knew it, because it was what HE would have done, did he have this bounty hunter's child right now. Then the insidious truth came clear. He'd been hypnotized! Red fury colored his world. Of all the tactics he'd ever been subjected to, this was the one he loathed most of all. He did not care about unfair odds, or enhanced prowess. But hypnotism denied you your own focus, your own intent, your own willingness to plow ahead, your resolve in the face of those unfair odds, to charge in, in SPITE of them. But the situation was still worsening, all too rapidly. He saw Ebonstryfe soldiers converging on those who'd come to Vera's rescue. And now some boy was leading her away; normally a good thing. But if he guessed right, Vera and the boy were looking for him. And if they saw him they would move right past the lead enemy, and all would be lost. Vera killed, his friends arrested, the unbearable triumph of his Nykan foes... Then it all fell together..."Your plan...brother?" The words spoken in a copy of his own voice. Inoadar looked over, into a mirror image of his own face. There was no time for the smile of pride in twisting an enemy's ability to his own purpose, he could only give immediate orders. "Daegron! Good! Stay in my form. Head away there..." he pointed at an angle in the opposite direction of the bounty hunter, "And be conspicuous, so Vera will see you. It should draw her away from the Nykan. Also the bounty hunter will think you to be me. That will give me all the edge I need." Daegron may have thought Inoadar's blooming grin was empowered by anticipation of bloody vengeance. He would be partly right. The vengeance would not be by Inoadar's hand, but by the Ebonstryfe's. A foreign infiltrator?...A Nykan?...Using hypnosis to incite riot?...Right in the Temple itself?...Exposed by loyal citizens?...Slaves even?... Inoadar crouched and made his way towards the last spot he'd seen the Nykan. He grinned at the thought of how his friends, both citizen and slave, would suddenly be transformed, from suspected subversives, to confirmed heroes. And right in the very court of the Temple itself. It was all he could to keep from marking his location with laughter as he spotted the Nykan again. A strong scent assailed his nostrils. For a moment he scowled. then his eyes widened with realization of an additional tactic to employ. He stood long enough to grab the flowery hat from a woman's head, stuffing a dozen mizas into her hand and whispering, "You do our Lord Rhysol's will, I swear it." He had no idea what the hat was worth, but the woman gripped the coins and nodded, pride seeping into her features. The perfumed hat would guard his approach from the Nykan's enhanced sense of smell. Just a few more steps...

[Yoona]

As currently occupied as she was, Yoona was able to catch a glimpse of Vera leaving with the scruffy-haired boy, before they quietly slipped back into the sea of worshipers, hand-in-hand. Now all they needed to do was find the poison-crafter without running into anymore trouble. And if it just so happened that they wouldn't be granted such luck, she was sure that the boy would step-up and protect the child, if he needed to. He was quite scrawny and meek-looking, but she assumed that he had enough skill to at least defend himself, let alone someone smaller and not so meek.

Suddenly, the man she was grappling with grabbed at a fistful of her hair. A frustrated and somewhat-pained growl emitting from deep within her throat, Yoona responded by striking him in the back with a knee. It was a weak blow, though, as all of her energy was currently being centered in her arms. She continued to pull and pull at his neck, her height yet again giving her an advantage as she managed to stay upright during his struggles.

In all honesty, the Chaktawe woman wasn't sure how long it'd been since she first sprang at the hooded assailant. It had to have been a little over a chime, though, considering how the man's entire body was beginning to go slack in her hold. Surprised, she loosened her grip a tiny bit, then dared to loosen it more when he didn't seem to respond. He'd stopped flailing around, his hand having slipped from her hair...and for a moment, Yoona was convinced that he'd stopped breathing, too.

Then there was an inhuman snarl coming from somewhere behind her. Twisting her her head around and looking, the Chaktawe woman couldn't do much but stare as a familiar red-headed woman came dashing out of the crowd. With her teeth somewhat bared, she shoved at the suspicious figure who'd been coming toward them, sending him backwards.

"You looked like you needed some help.”

Ah...that voice. The memories clicked, all of a sudden, bringing Yoona back to about a season earlier when she'd first arrived in the lake-bound nuisance of a city. Taking advantage of her foolish slaver's oversight, she'd had a decent chance of freeing herself...but a certain someone had noticed that chance, too, and had decided to take it upon themselves to seize it for a different reason. Trotting right alongside them had been the red-headed woman, though at the time she'd been a she-wolf that had nearly torn the flesh off of Yoona's thigh.

Overall, it hadn't been a pleasant time. And it was even less pleasant for the woman to be here, now, whether she was helping or not. Clearly bothered by her presence, Yoona shot Redd a cold, narrow-eyed glare. "'Help'? Ha!" she called back, still holding her arms around the man's neck. "All this is easy!"

As if to further stress her claim, Yoona let the man drop to the ground as she retracted her arms, then stretched them out a bit before getting down onto her knees. Then she stared at the man for a few ticks and smacked him a few times on his cheeks, seeing if he'd stir.

No response. She hadn't killed him, however; he'd merely been knocked out.

One beast down, then. One more to go.

Not giving herself the chance to feel triumphant over her success, Yoona got back to her bare feet, sending a quick, questioning glance over to the woman that Vera seemed to know before returning her attention to Redd.

Where was her precious master, anyway? He had to be lurking around, somewhere, most likely melding into the endless throngs of praying souls as he watched the scuffle from afar.

For a few ticks, Yoona was actually tempted to ask, but decided against it. They still had things to deal with, here. "Catching up" with idle chatter could wait.

"Tawna" | "Common" | 'Thoughts' | Ruki