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[Firenze]

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50 Winter, 514 AV

The hair on the back of her neck rose slightly. The air in the room seemed.. different, had something changed Firenze was not aware of it. Rubbing the back of her neck with her slender hand she stared at the fireplace. It was warmer than when she was in the shack in the Sunset Quarters, but not by much. The winter had started taking it's toll on those who inhabited the harsh city, making it feel almost as though those who hated each other had to band together to fight the winter that was threatening death at every turn... almost, even winter's threat of death wouldn't deter the fighting.

Fire popped and cracked quietly in the hearth, her bottom becoming numb from sitting on the little stool in the room for so many hours. She just stared silently, mulling her thoughts. A most elusive and unanswered question floated through her mind, on a more regular basis then she would like, Why? She shook her head and placed her chin into her hand, the orange from the fire flickered in her golden eyes, almost giving them a menacing look.

She just hurt and wanted it to stop. Her other hand rose to her chest, clenching at the the fabric over her heart mechanically, her mind wrapped up in itself. Anger flared through her, as it had many times in the weeks since her bondmate had disappeared. She wanted to find out why, who or what... but she didn't even know where to begin.

Rising to her feet quickly she began pacing again, the room felt as if it was closing in, it began to feel almost stuffy and hard to breathe. She wanted to be outdoors, in the wild, not trapped in some small room in a bar stewing in her thoughts. Fire ran her hands through her hair, continuing her pace. Her hands clenching the golden locks in frustration at her lack of skill and ability.

The floor groaned with every step that Fire took, protesting at the constant beating of her feet as they slapped against the floor, the pace slowly increasing until she came to a final halt near the end of the bed. She grabbed the boots that were sitting at her feet and flopped onto the corner of the hard matress.

Tugging the boots on, she mindlessly got herself dressed, the best that she could to go outside. There was snow on the ground and the clothes she had barely kept her warm from the brisk wind, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. Standing in front of the door for a moment, she wasn't sure where she was going, she only knew she couldn't sit in her room any longer and pout. Hoping that the cool air and a brisk walk would help to clear her mind, she yanked open the door and stepped out, the wood protesting in a loud creaking groan as she slammed it behind her.

Soft white snow crunched under her feet, slowly absorbing the heat and replacing it's chill into her bones. A cloud of white floated almost solidly in front of her face as she breathed out and looked around. Her cheeks flushed red from the brisk wind blowing against her exposed skin.

Making her way slowly along the road, she tried to avoid eye contact with anyone, not wanting to talk or cause trouble. All that was needed was a walk just long enough to cool her and her thoughts. The hairs rose on the back of her neck again, but not because of the weather... this was due to something else. She was unsure what was causing it but it felt almost as though she were being watched. Glancing behind her quickly, she didn't noticed anything unusual and continued her pace forward.

Rubbing her hands together quick enough to cause some friction she tried to warm her fingers without success, she tucked them under her arms instead to get them to absorb the heat from her core. Picking up the pace a little, hoping the exertion would warm her up, she made her way to the south of town, not really paying attention to where she was headed. Any direction was good for Fire, as long as it took her further away from the small suffocating room.

The clouds overhead were dark, Syna's light blocked from shinning rays onto the landscape, they swirled ominously. Hoping that the sky would hold off on dumping another bout of snow onto her head she continued her walk, her eyes surveying the street around her. A few people picked their way along the street, the weather keeping most inside near the hearth and heat, nothing really seemed to be out of place or dangerous that she could tell.

Breathing in, the crisp air burning her lungs, her ears perked against the cold. An unusual sound met her, but she couldn't tell where it had been coming from. Brushing it off she turned her thoughts inward again, the anger and hurt stewing in a chaotic churn in her chest.

Blinded by the haze of her feelings Fire didn't notice the large dark figure that lurked out from the corner of an alley that she passed by. The black gleaming eyes watched her move with the wind at her back. The stranger slowly followed in her footsteps, staying just far enough away to keep out of Fire's sight.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Fallon]

For lack of the better word, Fallon was working. It was far from an interesting case this time round, but it left her exposed to the elements as she trenched through the snow. There was a focus to keep to herself, eyes following and tracking through the small crowds that filled the street, the bustling bodies and the occasional attempting call of a half frozen merchant to sell his merger excuse of wares. Beyond that, Fallon was like her extremities - numb to them with her mind focused only forward at the task at hand. Around her the cloak of black sat, smothering her frame and smothering the clinking that existed beneath, the darting of the orbs as she searched the sea of bodies and faces for her target.

Supposedly, it was to be an easy one. There had been a lurker in the area of the suspicious sort, tied up with an adamant belief he was up to no good - a trouble maker looking and itching for a fight. Her tongue licked her cracking lips, a sidestep round another as she passed a gaggle of individuals. Her mind repeated the description, the features tickling over in her mind; female, dark eyes, shadowy skin, odd way of staring at things - predatorily almost by all accounts. Lips pursed, her eyes narrowing down as she attempted to keep herself aware of what was before her, stay on guard to the ever changing environment. The word, dangerous flared up in her mind then, the stiffening reminder that she was allowed to deal with and put down whispering in her ear.

Knuckles cracked, a pause as she gathered her bearings, a quick pivot on her heel as her mind mapped out the location once more. They were towards the south, she gathered that much, and whilst the sounds of gulls was there it was faint - suggesting they were away from the immediate Quay area. A white plume escaped from her lips, rolling out down across the fabric. She reasoned then that she must be within the Sunset Quarter still, prowling and patrolling about for a slither to start up from - she was not about to let a potential threat roam the streets under her watch. No, for now it was the waiting game, and so that was where she remained for the meanwhile, peering and watching from her spot on the street - a silent observer to the world as it went on by.

By the time there was movement once more, a thin dusting had graced her shoulders. Her jaw had set into a line, a gauntlet holding the cloak closed around her as she fought the urge to shiver. Whilst the bodies continued to pass on by her, it did not stop her from her watch - the frosty gaze snapped as a figure peeled their way out of an alleyway. Her eyes followed, slowly and carefully, watching the swaggering steps of the female form move as those eyes of black seemed to focus upon something else - what exactly she did not quite know as of yet. Determination took the stride, her form peeling away as she stalked herself.

Where was she going? What was the intention? She hunkered her shoulders down, hand reaching back beneath the layers to rest upon the kukri hilt - prepared to quick draw should she need to. She was not about to let her guard down. Feet were kept light, her gaze peering up from beneath her brow. Stalking the stalker, ironic in its own way, it made her raise her brow enough as she stepped, form weaving and slowing on occasion as the target went on, a silence consuming her as she prowled like the namesake wolf she was. It was time to see where this was going, keep a focus on the prize, and act upon the reactions.

[Firenze]

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Fire was sure if she could cry at this point that the tears would freeze to her face, but she knew her well was dry, past the point of tears. Turning a corner the wind whipped even more furious at her face now, the buildings in their jagged arrangement squeezed closer together on either side. So focused on her thoughts she made the biggest mistake someone living in Sunberth could make, especially in a public setting, she let her guard down. She wasn't paying attention when she rounded another corner, bumping into a passerby.

”Hey! Watch it you wench!” The man glared at her, his brows furrowed together, a scowl on his face, he continued his path in the opposite direction that Fire was heading. Although she wasn't really sure where that direction was, currently just zig-zagging through the city streets. She didn't even respond to the man, brushing off the name he called her.

The dark shadow following her slowly quicken their pace, creeping closer with each step that they took. As Fire walked past a couple of shops the figure was close enough to reach out and grab her. Once she passed a narrow opening between the buildings, just barely big enough to fit someone into it’s dark shadows cast by the looming buildings on either side, the woman reached out and grabbed her. Yanking her by her cloak she dragged her into the darkness of the alley.

Caught off guard, Fire tried to turn around to see who had pulled her away from her thoughts and away from the safety of prying eyes in the main road. The collar of her cloak strained against her neck, digging into her skin. All she could focus on was the faint outline of the person. She didn't understand why they would grab her? Money? Valuables? Was she that easy of a target? In her current mindset.. she was the perfect target. I should’ve been paying attention, she scolded herself angrily, I know better than to become distracted in a city like this. The mix of the pain and anger from her loss and the defensiveness rushed to the surface, hitting her hard, making all the blood rush through her system.

A sliver of restraint held her back from transforming right there in the alley and taking all that anger and pain out on the person who dared to lay their hands on her. Lost was the scared, shy and sometimes absent minded girl, in her place someone that Firenze had not seen before. Fueled by her emotions, the woman inside, who was showing her face for the first time, frighted Fire a little, but gave her a sense of empowerment.

She tried to yell but instead it almost came out as a growl, the word unintelligible as she fought against the other woman. Her boots sliding across the ground she tried to get her footing so she could resist against the pull. Before she knew it she was well within the depths of the darkness.

"Shut yer petching mouth," the words slithered from the woman's mouth and into Firenze’s ear making her skin crawl. Just as she’d said that she wrapped her free arm around Fire’s throat and dragged her down. "Such a pretty little one aren't ye?" Hand still around her throat, eyes wide Fire could see some of the woman's face. Pockmarks littered her cheeks, her rank breath hot against Firenze’s face as the hand that grabbed her mashed against Fire’s breast.

She felt the woman’s fingers dig into her teeth as she pressed harder against her mouth. Trying to move her jaw so that she could bite down on the dirt ridden hand, she flung her hands toward the woman’s greasy hair, gripping it as hard as she could. Lust and malice danced in her eyes as she laughed in Fire’s face, turning her hand and digging her fingers into the soft skin of Firenze’s cheeks, teeth piercing into the pink flesh inside of her mouth.
"I wouldn't do that little girl. You can’t hert me with yer weak little arms. I like it when a woman pulls my hair, makes things more exciting… don’t ye think?"

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Fallon]

Her hand curled around the kukri hilt, feet sounding against the floor as she followed. Her mind began to keen itself, sharpening as she felt the pulse quicken. Around her the bodies continued, the air whipping the fabric as it worked against her and keeping in the warmth. Her shoulders rolled, eyes blinking as she took the freeze frame as she watched the shadowed shape move, slinking as if it had picked out a target. No, whoever it was had become a predator - and it made Fallon's skin crawl as she stared after them. An inhale, she caught the sound of the smallest of disputes slicing through the air, but it was not her main focus for the moment.

As the others feet quickened, as did her own focused only on making sure the target was kept within her sights as much as possible - to lose her now would be more than simply just troublesome, she needed to watch, observe and deal with accordingly. From there she could lay down judgement and act accordingly to the situation. There was a small slither of drawing forth of the kukri, the starting of the draw as she caught the cloaked shape drag another and disappear into one of the narrow alleyways. The smallest of pauses, her feet slowed down as she approached the entrance, shoulder pressing against the wall, chin lifting as she strained her hearing to listen around the corner.

Growling, the sounds of an attempted scuffle. Her head inclined slightly, cloak around her still as she hear the small snaps of rebellion of whatever was going on. Back straightening, she let her eyes flicker to the world around her, watching as the bodies continued to ebb and flow - Sunberth's life blood even in this frightfully cold weather. Beyond however, she could hear the sounds heighten. It was definitely a struggle, that much was apparent. A small lean of the head, she watched the slither of sight she could gather of the precarious position the hunted and the hunter were in. Vulnerable, pressing, forced upon - that stench of desire. Eyes lowered, counting the steps she would need to take to intervene.

Fallon pulled herself back, a deep inhale as she mentally retraced the motions. Steps, seven, maybe eight? The cloak would mask her shape and if she held any weapons beneath - that was until it was pulled back and revealed. By then, she hoped, it would be too late and whatever fates came would be for the best. Though, surely that would also leave her the chance of being exposed to whatever may come her way? An opening for retaliation, or worse perhaps. Her lips parted to reveal a slither of white, a deep inhale before she spurred herself onwards and forwards. The kukri was drawn, but the blade itself was kept hidden beneath the cloak. Stepping into the mouth she made her presence known, the rough tones of Bitzer ripping forth, "Oi. Vagik," Her voice snapped, twisting up into a snarl, "Your little girl doesn't want to play. So why don't you run along now? Go chase tail elsewhere."

Another flicker of the gaze, she judged the width of the alleyway mentally - narrow, barely two sets of shoulders across. She turned her feet so she stood side on, maximise the space the best way she could, focus on the stabs and jabs if it came to blows. The green-blue orbs focused upon the shadowy one, voice growing firmer as she tried to encourage the potential of backing down, "Piss off, yeah? Nothing for you here. Get a hint."

[Firenze]

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Dread filled her stomach, she’d never fallen into this kind of situation before. She’d been warned about it and had plenty of scares, between living in the orphanage under the protection of Jillene and in the Sunset Quarters. She knew that it would be coming some day, she’d been warned constantly about it. Keeping to yourself was always a priority, that and making sure that you kept watch of your back. She should have known better when she’d left the tavern. Should have paid more attention. Fire couldn't seem to get her mind straight, the gaping chasm in her chest kept her mind in a constant distraction and it was making her sloppy.

The warm breath of the woman was hot and wet on her face, the dim light that came from the entrance of the alley casting a shadow over her. It confused her for a brief moment because it wasn't the shadow from the woman looming over her. There were more people? How had she not seen this?

Glancing toward the entrance, unable to make out the person except for the outline. Another woman’s voice echoed off the close walls, it’s commanding tone and underlying self confidence gave Fire a brief moment of relief. Only briefly.

This wasn’t her fight? Why was she here? Who would get in the middle of an obvious fight in the middle of a dark alley in Sunberth? Just as quickly as the relief came in, a sense of fear ran down Fire’s spine. If she’s interrupting the fight then she must be with the woman with the terrible smelling breath. Fire slid her hand as slowly as she could down her leg under her cloak, trying to stretch her fingers toward her boot.

Stinky had been temporarily distracted by the other figure, giving her a little bit of time to reach her dagger. The women snarled at each other, stinky’s fingers were still on Fire’s chest, only her head was turned, the rest of her was angled toward Firenze. Hurt and anger and pain welled up in Fire, who was this woman to try to take advantage of her?

Dor’gen had left her, she’d gotten rid of her place that had been practically caving in on her and now this.. this vagrant was trying to take her innocence. No… her soul! These thoughts made Firenze’s eyes flash, the gold slightly darkening as the churning emotions swiftly turned to pure and utter hatred and the woman drooling over the top of her was her main focus.

Her ears rang, drowning out the sound around her, blood rushed to her head. She didn’t know what the person who was standing was doing but she became grateful as she now realized she had the opportunity to take out the woman who was next to her. Her lip curled back, teeth barred as she set her mind on defending herself.

Managing to reach the hilt of her small dagger, she wrapped her fingers around it, slipping it out of it’s sheath and back up her leg. Her slim hand wrapped tightly around it, the blade pointing away from her, she prepared herself for what might happen.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Fallon]

Silence, there was little more than that hanging moment of consideration in the air, the weighing up and deriving of threat strumming between the two like a cord. Was it worth continuing? Was it worth the potential trouble it could bring down? The kukri still within her grasp, blade keen beneath the folds as she focused on the shape. She heard the snarls, the panicked breathing muffled somewhere within the alleyway. It was with an inhale that Fallon stepped inwards, her eyes flickering as she watched the shapes dance and move. The attacker peeled away briefly, hands still holding the prize as Fallon continued her stare down. It was the rough tones of the Red Wolf that spoke once more, "I said, run along Vagik."
"Make me."
It did not take much to push Fallon down that path in this case, her own blood slowly boiling. Hate, venom, her own self writhing pushed against her mind as she remembered her own sick and twisted fate. Skin burned, the throat tightened as the rumbling clawing its way up her stomach. She growled, "Very well then."

There was a rock back onto her heels then, followed by the sharp stepping forwards, pace increasing as she traversed that small distance, the left gauntlet covered hand shoot out from beneath the folds of the cloak. Her intention was to shoot it between the two women - separate, divide and conquer. Bending her form, the growl within her throat ripped up into a loud wolfish howl of noise. Fangs bared, her form gave a twist as the kukri gave a whip out between the folds - arm coiling back as she brought the flat, blunted edge swinging against the gut of the attacker.

With a firm shove of her weight she continued, knees bending as she locked herself down - solidifying her stance and bringing the kukri before her. Left gauntlet behind the outer edge, eyes focused forwards upon her prey, the right with the grip upon the hilt still did she speak this time to the victim of this situation, "I would advise running about now. Very fast. And very quickly away."
The attacker gave a snarl, spitting as she gathered herself - her own scowl staring back as she swung wildly and angrily in retaliation, "You little bitch! Gonna petching having you!"
"Welcome to try!" Fallon snapped back, her arms firmly jerking behind the kukri into an edge first push. She did not look to see what the victim was doing - there was too much focus upon the cold air, the hot steam and avoiding her own hurts. She just had to hope that she did as suggested - get out of the way.

[Firenze]

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Hearing the woman at the entrance to the alley call out faintly, only catching bits and pieces as her heart thumped loudly in her ears. Blood pumped hard, anticipation building for what she was about to do.

She’d never been so scared in her life, but her fight or flight response had blessedly kicked in, and proved to be quite helpful at focusing on the situation. Her pupils dilated, already adjusting to the darkness she could make out the woman at the entrance. Everything appeared hyper-focused, but somehow only brought the focus on her, the other woman and stinky. Everything else dropping away.

Briefly taking notice, she’d seen the woman who was standing, unable to recall where, she tried to pluck the name from her memory. Bitzer? Wolf something? She wasn’t completely sure. As quickly as it registered it left, the thought dissipating within a tick.

Just as she brought the dagger up, the attacker moved, cursing under her foul breath. Her release gave on Firenze’s shirt, lifting her heavy body up she scowled, a sneer lifting the corner of her lip. Unable to see stinky’s face, only the greasy matted hair on the back of her head.

Bitzer moved, striking a deadly looking blade at the woman’s stomach. Firenze watched her movement as she continued the path forward and then locked her stance down. Stinky fell backward snarling, she cursed and threatened.

In a moment of a breath, Fire did something she never thought herself capable. A window of opportunity met with the the churning anger. Everything seemed as if it were slowing down. The woman turning, Bitzer yelling and slicing with her blade, down to her being shoved onto the ground nearby. Grip tensed on the hilt of the small dagger.

Free hand shot forward and reached, the grease slicked her fingers but her grasp remained firm as she sank her digits into the mane, locking her hold. She yanked and stinky’s head snapped to the side, as Fire began to sit up, giving her the reach she needed.

Her arm brought the dagger around and she swung blindly, aiming for the direction of her throat, hoping to hit something vital. Trying not to hit the woman who had given her the opportunity. Eyes snapped shut and squeezed, she felt the dull blade strike something soft, giving way. A popping sound, then warmth covered her hand. Fluid began to seep onto her hand and arm, pumping faster as she sank the dagger deeper.

Peeking an eye open, the assailant’s eyes flew wide, her mouth stuck in a round silent yell. Color drained from her face as the vein on her neck continued to pump. The blade stuck just on the edge of her throat, blocking the blood from moving fast, it still leaked around the edge at a quickened pace.

Something strange came over her, the dark red liquid gave her a queasy yet satisfying feeling in her stomach. Pulling on the hilt, the blade and blood followed. Her neck pumped harder now that the blade was no longer blocking it, spraying when her heart beat. The woman fell back as she went to bring the blade down again, missing this time, the tip hitting the red soaked cobble. Blood splashed Fire’s face as her body moved. A flinch and shock at what she had done. Bubbles frothed at the opening as the dying woman tried to suck air into her lungs.

Dead eyes faced the sky. Fire’s side on the ground, twisted at the waist, facing the woman, she slumped back down roughly, her back hitting against the street. Mouth agape, her chest rose and fell quickly, gasping.

Eyes wide, she stared at the Wolf.

What did I do.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Fallon]

Perhaps it was the smell of combat, the urge to fight and survive that commanded the actions. Perhaps it was retaliation, that last desperate stab at survival, to prove oneself better against the odds that were currently stacked against them. Defy instruction, to not take the easy route out - the one of flight over fight. Once blood was poured and it stained the hands, it would forever rest within a memory in the mind - staining and corrupting. It was the art of taking a life, and once one was done it was forever proven that they were indeed capable. There was a curse spat at the victim took things into her own hands, and while it was admirable in some regards in others it was plain stupid. She had everything under control - but no, she just had to interfere. Not that Fallon could really comment on the matter, she could have simply left the woman to her own fate, to suffer and pay the price of Sunberth.

It was the slash of tender flesh that came next, her own form peeling away to look upon what had happened to the one upon the ground, the gasps escaping and the death rattle juddering through them and the alleyway, the clattering of metal upon the hardened earth causing her to only tilt her gaze upwards. The hot blood chased away against the chill of the ground, the plumes of white escaping her lips as she looked upon the dagger. It was carefully as she spotted that wide eyed look, the quivering form before her, that Fallon reached forward gauntlet hand gently covering the one holding the dagger - it was with the other that she gently pried it away. It was from there that she cleaned the surfaces against the clean fabric of the attacker, her ears twitching as she simply listened to the sound of death. Handing it back, it was the left gauntlet that shifted once more covering the woman's eyes and then sliding them shut, a whisper of noise escaping her lips, "Return unto earth and ash."

Standing and returning the kukri to the sheath, she looked down upon the other. Slumped, defeated, obviously in shock. Probably would not move any time soon, too wrapped up in her own little world and stuck on things. With a long, focused exhale Fallon calmed herself, drawing back the adrenal as she bit her tongue - cursing and blaming would solve nothing in this instance. Taking a stoop she reached down for the woman's arm, grip firm but far from forceful as she pulled the woman up to her feet. Silence was her council, the gentle tugs out of the alleyway and onto the street itself eyes turning away and facing forward, "You have feet, you should use them. You have a mind, you should focus with it. You have eyes, you should keep looking forward," her green-blue orbs gave a flicker back then, her head tilting to one side as she continued, "Your name. What is it? You have lips, a throat, a voice. You should use it." She paused then, "Where do you live? You're going home."

[Firenze]

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Teeth chattered and her body shook, she was unsure if it was from the chill of the air, the cold hard ground or from the lifeless body next to her. She was the one who had taken that life. Thoughts turning animalistic and instinctual, she realized that although many animals had fallen at her hands, it was only what was necessary to sustain life. Always grateful to those animals that provided nourishment to her body with theirs she could see no use or nourishment that could be had of the quickly chilling body next to her.

As soon as the thought of eating the flesh and meat of woman next to her came to mind she dismissed it, her stomach turning at the thought. Even if it wasn’t for the stench, the appeal of the metallic tinged smell of the blood could not even persuade her to try it. Times were rough and food was scarce but that couldn’t even change her mind.

Her eyes scanned back and forth from the woman above her and the woman beside her. Now that the immediate threat was gone what did Wolf want? Was she here to kill her or was the goal the other woman? Why did she help? Confusion, anger, pain, sadness and too many other emotions churned through her. She was the kettle and the situation the spoon. It felt as though the stew was moving so fast that she couldn’t concentrate on just one emotion, tears sprang to her eyes.

Gritting her teeth, she steeled herself. She didn’t want to become an emotional babbling wreck, not in the eyes of the Wolf. Pride demanded that she pull herself together but the shock of her first human kill had other plans. The tears left cold streaks cutting through the dust from the cobbled alley on her skin. Do we need to hide the body? Should we bury it? What about the blood? There is so much blood!

Glancing down to her hands, Wolf took the dagger from her hand, she was faintly aware of it, they were spattered and tinged dark. Slapping her hands down to her pants she tried to wipe them off the best that she could trying to remove the evidence. It had already started to dry and crust in spots as she scrubbed.

“W-w-what am I supposed to do?” her jaw wouldn’t hold still as she spoke, her hands still going to work at getting the blood off. “What.. how.. how do we fix it? Can we fix it? Is she still alive? I have some cloth we can put on it, that should stop the blood right? She didn’t lose that much… she’s.. she’s still alive….. right?” She tried to glance over at the woman, but she didn’t really need to look to know that she was dead. Trying to convince herself otherwise was futile, but it made her feel slightly better, like there might be a sliver of a chance to fix it and then go about her brooding over the lost bondmate.

Her bondmate. She hadn’t even thought about him for the past 10? 20 chimes? How long had it been? They should move, they need to get out of here! She wouldn’t be able to to move the body in the middle of broad daylight. Although most people in the city were numb to death, it was still unusual to have it publicly displayed.

Bitzer spoke and it brought her back to the moment, telling her to get up and move, through the fog of thoughts she’d been having. Yes. Move. Now. Pushing herself up, she stood on wavering feet, looking to the Wolf to guide her. Had she been in this situation before? A calm appearance told Fire that it may not have been her first experience. Mouth slightly agape, she’d asked her name. Her name? Wait.. now she was asking where she lived?

“Fire….. Firenze,” she squeaked out, a puff of white coming out with the words on the cold air.

“I-I’m not sure? I… had a shack. I’m at a b-bar. Above it. The bar. In the bar. I mean… I mean… in a room, in the bar, above the bar… the Drunk Fish, Drunken Fish?” The last words came out in almost a question. She wanted to be back at that place, with it’s well worn bedding, overly hot and stuffy rooms and the laughter, chatter and craic atmosphere. She never should have left, shouldn’t have walked onto the streets, never stopped paying attention. Scolding herself for not knowing better, her brow furrowed.

“C-can we go?” Her eyes avoided the body sprawled next to her, looking everywhere but down. Fire tucked her hands under her arms, knees slightly knocking together as she put her legs close, shivering, trying to squeeze herself into a standing ball to retain the heat that evaded. The chill was into her bones and it felt as though she might never become warm again.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

[Fallon]

Fallon looked at her, holding the expression of coolness and lack of judgement. It merely one that was observing, analysing the situation as it came to her. She continued the tugging of the arm for a moment, hand squeezing slightly before she released the other from her grasp. The fingers pulled at the cords of her cloak, tugging it free and then promptly wrapping it around the shoulders of Firenze. It was there that she tied it off neatly and stood there within her coat and let the kukri rest at the base of her spine.

"You do not look back, you only look forward," the Wolf spoke again, looking at her briefly from beneath her brow before , "And once you have gotten to your destination, you warm some water and wash your hands. After that, you drink, and after that you carry on living." There was a clink of gauntlets, the forced quickening of step as she felt the winter chill begin to sink in. She gave a blink leading down the main street with the occasional glance back to the other with thought. Confused, scared, in shock no doubt - it was a perilous state to be in without an extra set of eyes looking out for the other.

"In life we do one of two things, we either live or we die. Nothing else to it. Today, you were faced with a challenge against that, and you survived," The eyes moved forward then, flickering between the locals as she stepped, "But the more you keep looking back at what you had to do, the more you give yourself rope over it, the more chance you'll end up hanging yourself. And this is Sunberth, a deep pit of blood, scourge and filth that will jump at any opportunity to take advantage if they see it." She shrugged then, "This city is a place that does not favour the lucky, it favours only those who fight tooth and nail to survive. That means people with a drop of morals can't step in and save you all time. Means they can't pick you up when you do what you're doing now. Not when they have other things to worry about."

There was several steps in silence, the brief eyeballing of the locals as they seemed to weigh her up. Above she could hear the sounds of creaking ice, the squawking of gulls unable to get to their usual feed. To begin with she lead the way to the coast, and from there travelled along the edge - the off shore breeze racing and battering around them. With a sharp inhale Fallon found herself slipping back into the territory of the Scars and then out once more. She gave a nod back to the way she came, "You get in trouble again, run back into the territory we just passed through. The Scars keep an eye on their turf where they can. Conversely, don't start a fight with them or you'll be descended upon like a ton of bricks. You hear me?"

Of course she did, they always did when their mind was partially frazzled and on the verge of splintering. Her chin gave a lift, spying the Drunken Fish in the distance. Soon, she reasoned, she would be able to get a stiff drink down her throat and a thicker skin to fight off the chill. A smaller nudge onwards and forwards, "Tell me, Firenze. You live in the Drunken Fish. I heard they have good drink there. Don't frown too much, the wind will change direction and you'll be stuck that way." She hummed, "So. You're not a local then? Most locals know how to not get into a tangle or how to get out of them. Come on, almost there."