Before Haneul knew what was really going on, she was already on the floor, frantically blinking to stay conscious. Damn, that guy had a boulder for a head. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place… Her earlier satisfaction had been short lived, but the pain etched into the features of Andras’ face had been worth the subsequent headbutt. Absolutely.
Her ears were ringing and she could almost feel a bump forming on the back of her head, not to mention the one that was most certainly going to crown her forehead. A wave of nausea hit her as soon as she tried to get to her feet, so she decided to stay down a little longer to let her head and stomach settle again.
Then Andras was in her face, spewing his usual nonsense. For a brief moment, she considered toppling him over but her head was still swimming and she didn’t want to make it worse. She would not throw up in front of him.
His words however did hold a grain of truth which she could not ignore. Namely the fact that he truly was her superior as far as physical strength was concerned. She may be trained and she may be able to use smaller weapons and her fists, but she would never be able to properly counter his brute strength.
And that pissed her off.
A dark chuckle snaked out of Haneul’s mouth as she lifted herself back to her feet, ignoring the spit that was slowly tracking its way down her shirt. “Does it make you feel safe? Thinking the presence of a battlemage is going to prevent me from coming after you?”
She laughed again, a nightmare slithering in the shadows of the hood she carefully placed back on top of her head, hiding her face. It was tainted by bitterness however and the sad knowledge that for now, he may have won the battle. The mage was still too close and her magic was too unstable for a full-blown attack. It made her want to rip out her hair that she had to give in now and she knew he was going to gloat even more than he already had so far and she really did not want to give him that satisfaction. But for the time being, it may be the better course of action. For now, she would bide her time and strike when he would least expect it.
Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
A dusty wind started to blow down the alleyway. It blew Andras’ tunic such that it repeatedly slapped against his leg. He felt the first droplets of rain begin to fall. With a serenity unlike him, he held his hand out and stared into the sky. His lazy blue eyes examined the clouds and found them grey. It was wonderful weather for the party tomorrow. The most cruel smile Andras had ever born broke across his face.
Andras inhaled with his face turned upwards as if he were attempting to breath the burgeoning rainwater. He exhaled with equal vigor. “Yes, Haneul. Yes it does. Because it means that I can kill you. No matter what happens from this point onwards, I can arrange for you to die. I won’t survive the process, but now we both know: attacking each other is suicide.”
“And you can’t stop me from doing a damn thing without your magic.” He smiled, and laughed into the sky. “No one can stop me! Not you, not Shanuri, and certainly not Aurelio. I might as well be in charge! That’s what all your schemes and magic come down to: second to the biggest guy in the room!”
His face snapped back to the earth. His heavenly revelation was abruptly replaced by earthly concerns. “No one but Lavelle, now. She can kill me. So I’m going to find her, and gut her. And you are going to help, because if I go down, you can bet your sweet ass I’ll find a way to bring you all down with me. Lavelle would love to know all about Paragon, I’m sure. That’s the kind of information that can excuse a whole host of crimes when you’re a citizen standing in front of the Justice Hall.”
“So get set, sunshine. I’m running the show now, and I say we kill her before she’s got the chance to connect the dots between Dum’s drugs and the party assassination.”
Sadly, Andras would be disappointed in his efforts. He didn’t know if Haneul had underworld connections somewhere, but she certainly didn’t in Marn.
Somehow, his gang was even less help. Haneul at least had that mysterious intimidation thing going for her, what with the hood and the piercing stare. His gang were scruffy hooligans that looked like they would think twice if one pulled out a rusty piece of glass. Worse still, Andras realized over the next few days that any one of them could still be loyal to Lavelle. His beatings, already having increased in frequency with the stress of Paragon activity, were doubled until the night of the party finally came.
Andras’ worst fears were realized. Ivone hadn’t been able to get the poison to the right target. He just knew the group was going to blame him for this once she started the waterworks. It had been his plan, after all. Never mind that it only hadn’t worked because of factors completely outside his control.
Damn them all, Andras thought. He marched through the rain alone, a pair of heavy looking bags over his shoulder. It was coming down thicker today, obscuring sight. That was fine. It was an excuse for everyone to wear hoods, hiding his Oslun features. Despite how much he enjoyed being the center of attention, Andras had no desire to dishonor his family through discovery.
He walked up the path to the house. Though it was small compared to most of the houses in Marn, as far as the historic district went it was one of the bigger ones. He slammed his knuckles on the door: four heavy knocks. He sat out in the rain for just long enough for him to get frustrated. Just when he was about to knock again, the door opened. Haneul’s servant had opened the door.
“Bloody fancy place for a dancer. Real subtle, Han.” He muttered under his breath, jealous. He had once had servants. He then said, “Bring Haneul here.” He slid one of the bags off his shoulder and tossed it to the unfortunate woman. It rattled as she caught it. Weaponry tended to do that. “Give her the satchel. We have loose ends to clean up.”
Andras inhaled with his face turned upwards as if he were attempting to breath the burgeoning rainwater. He exhaled with equal vigor. “Yes, Haneul. Yes it does. Because it means that I can kill you. No matter what happens from this point onwards, I can arrange for you to die. I won’t survive the process, but now we both know: attacking each other is suicide.”
“And you can’t stop me from doing a damn thing without your magic.” He smiled, and laughed into the sky. “No one can stop me! Not you, not Shanuri, and certainly not Aurelio. I might as well be in charge! That’s what all your schemes and magic come down to: second to the biggest guy in the room!”
His face snapped back to the earth. His heavenly revelation was abruptly replaced by earthly concerns. “No one but Lavelle, now. She can kill me. So I’m going to find her, and gut her. And you are going to help, because if I go down, you can bet your sweet ass I’ll find a way to bring you all down with me. Lavelle would love to know all about Paragon, I’m sure. That’s the kind of information that can excuse a whole host of crimes when you’re a citizen standing in front of the Justice Hall.”
“So get set, sunshine. I’m running the show now, and I say we kill her before she’s got the chance to connect the dots between Dum’s drugs and the party assassination.”
Sadly, Andras would be disappointed in his efforts. He didn’t know if Haneul had underworld connections somewhere, but she certainly didn’t in Marn.
Somehow, his gang was even less help. Haneul at least had that mysterious intimidation thing going for her, what with the hood and the piercing stare. His gang were scruffy hooligans that looked like they would think twice if one pulled out a rusty piece of glass. Worse still, Andras realized over the next few days that any one of them could still be loyal to Lavelle. His beatings, already having increased in frequency with the stress of Paragon activity, were doubled until the night of the party finally came.
Andras’ worst fears were realized. Ivone hadn’t been able to get the poison to the right target. He just knew the group was going to blame him for this once she started the waterworks. It had been his plan, after all. Never mind that it only hadn’t worked because of factors completely outside his control.
Damn them all, Andras thought. He marched through the rain alone, a pair of heavy looking bags over his shoulder. It was coming down thicker today, obscuring sight. That was fine. It was an excuse for everyone to wear hoods, hiding his Oslun features. Despite how much he enjoyed being the center of attention, Andras had no desire to dishonor his family through discovery.
He walked up the path to the house. Though it was small compared to most of the houses in Marn, as far as the historic district went it was one of the bigger ones. He slammed his knuckles on the door: four heavy knocks. He sat out in the rain for just long enough for him to get frustrated. Just when he was about to knock again, the door opened. Haneul’s servant had opened the door.
“Bloody fancy place for a dancer. Real subtle, Han.” He muttered under his breath, jealous. He had once had servants. He then said, “Bring Haneul here.” He slid one of the bags off his shoulder and tossed it to the unfortunate woman. It rattled as she caught it. Weaponry tended to do that. “Give her the satchel. We have loose ends to clean up.”
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
As if on cue, rain started falling, and Haneul felt the tension ease out of her muscles just a bit though the hatred was still sizzling hot through her veins. Andras wasn’t going to try anything else, she was sure of it. He had made sure she knew her place, towering over her and that was all he needed for now. As much as he seemed to act out against his little gang, he would have hit her while she was down if he had really wanted to do so.
The fact that he hadn’t pushed his advantage showed her that he was more scared of her abilities than he probably admitted to himself despite the wicked expression etched onto his features.
His words momentarily stunned her however. Not the part where he thought he was safe from her in daylight and that she wouldn’t be able to do anything about any attempt of his to kill her, but the part where he almost spoke treason. The man was a maniac! Maybe she would have to put him down like a common dog after all, and this sooner than anticipated, if he continued threatening to expose Paragon. Not that she cared much about Paragon or the cell’s work as such, but she did have her reasons and her motives.
If Andreas made a move like the one he just exposed, then she would have to act. Fast. And hunt down everyone else who may have caught wind of his ideas. Or maybe she would make him pay for being such an asshole and kill Lavelle in front of him before she’d make him suffer.
Shaking her head, Haneul tried to push those thoughts back. With a sigh, she acted as though that shake had been part of her reaction to Andras’ words, and said: “Let’s get to it then.” She swallowed the insult she wanted to tack on. It would serve no purpose.
Haneul stuck with Andras for a great deal of the time but she kept to the background. They were his contacts, his gang and she had nothing to do with it. Didn’t want to have anything to do with it. But she kept a close eye on all of them as they were taking their beatings. At some point, she left him to it, having her own matters to take care of. Magic to be satisfied and a party to attend.
Her trip to the outskirts of the city was shorter and less satisfying than she would have liked but it was better than nothing and would tide her over for a while longer. Time with Andras had passed more quickly than she had thought and some of the preparations had to be done in a rush. Good thing that Seika was an absolute genius when it came to hair-dos and was fast as a whirlwind. Haneul only appeared with a few minutes delay at the party.
And what a party it was. A complete and utter waste of her time. She was still seething over everything that had gone wrong and/or not to her liking when Andras appeared on her doorstep the next day.
Stepping into her boots harder than she needed to, she growled at Seiko when the woman dropped a heavy bag at her feet.
“He thinks you have too fancy a place for a dancer, thinks it’s not inconspicuous enough.” Seiko grinned at her mistress, ignoring the scowl and the glint in the latter’s eyes. “He did bring you presents however.” She made the bag clang with just a light tap of her foot. “Apparently you have loose ends to tie up? From last night, I presume.”
Haneul merely nodded and crouched beside the bag to have a look inside. What greeted her, made her smile. Now magic will always be her weapon of choice, but the treasure Andras had brought with him was truly a sight to behold. If it had been on purpose or not, but there was a huge variety of weapons she liked using. Knives, chakrams, daggers, a couple of shorter swords she didn’t know the name of and there was even a smaller version of a crossbow in it. Turning it over in her hands, she noticed that it had been tampered with and that it was in no way an ordinary crossbow. What exactly it did, she couldn’t be sure of without asking Andras, which at that moment she was not inclined to do.
She picked up one of the stilettos and looked at it. “Think you could fit that in my hair somewhere?”
Seiko merely looked at her without saying anything.
“Alright, alright, it was just an idea.” Haneul grinned and shoved the stiletto into her boot, picking up a second one for the other boot. Then she proceeded to strap a few knives to her arms and hid a few more weapons all over her body.
“Don’t you think you have enough by now?” Seiko shook her head at her mistress, threw the unused weapons back in the bag and picked up the now considerably less weighty pouch to bring it back to Andras. Before she stepped away from Haneul however, she shoved one of the pins deeper into her hair. “Don’t forget that those are poisonous when you take them out.”
“It isn't as though I’ve never done this before, Seiko,” Haneul replied. The servant gave an apologetic shrug and moved out of the room while Haneul fastened her cloak about her.
“I hate to admit it, but you have good taste in weapons,” Haneul told Andras once she appeared in the study where he had been showed to while waiting. Without pausing, she strode past him towards the front door. “Where are we starting?” Then she threw her hood over the fancy hair-do and strode into the downpour, knowing that Andras wouldn’t be far behind, wanting to take care of business just as badly as she did.
The fact that he hadn’t pushed his advantage showed her that he was more scared of her abilities than he probably admitted to himself despite the wicked expression etched onto his features.
His words momentarily stunned her however. Not the part where he thought he was safe from her in daylight and that she wouldn’t be able to do anything about any attempt of his to kill her, but the part where he almost spoke treason. The man was a maniac! Maybe she would have to put him down like a common dog after all, and this sooner than anticipated, if he continued threatening to expose Paragon. Not that she cared much about Paragon or the cell’s work as such, but she did have her reasons and her motives.
If Andreas made a move like the one he just exposed, then she would have to act. Fast. And hunt down everyone else who may have caught wind of his ideas. Or maybe she would make him pay for being such an asshole and kill Lavelle in front of him before she’d make him suffer.
Shaking her head, Haneul tried to push those thoughts back. With a sigh, she acted as though that shake had been part of her reaction to Andras’ words, and said: “Let’s get to it then.” She swallowed the insult she wanted to tack on. It would serve no purpose.
Haneul stuck with Andras for a great deal of the time but she kept to the background. They were his contacts, his gang and she had nothing to do with it. Didn’t want to have anything to do with it. But she kept a close eye on all of them as they were taking their beatings. At some point, she left him to it, having her own matters to take care of. Magic to be satisfied and a party to attend.
Her trip to the outskirts of the city was shorter and less satisfying than she would have liked but it was better than nothing and would tide her over for a while longer. Time with Andras had passed more quickly than she had thought and some of the preparations had to be done in a rush. Good thing that Seika was an absolute genius when it came to hair-dos and was fast as a whirlwind. Haneul only appeared with a few minutes delay at the party.
And what a party it was. A complete and utter waste of her time. She was still seething over everything that had gone wrong and/or not to her liking when Andras appeared on her doorstep the next day.
Stepping into her boots harder than she needed to, she growled at Seiko when the woman dropped a heavy bag at her feet.
“He thinks you have too fancy a place for a dancer, thinks it’s not inconspicuous enough.” Seiko grinned at her mistress, ignoring the scowl and the glint in the latter’s eyes. “He did bring you presents however.” She made the bag clang with just a light tap of her foot. “Apparently you have loose ends to tie up? From last night, I presume.”
Haneul merely nodded and crouched beside the bag to have a look inside. What greeted her, made her smile. Now magic will always be her weapon of choice, but the treasure Andras had brought with him was truly a sight to behold. If it had been on purpose or not, but there was a huge variety of weapons she liked using. Knives, chakrams, daggers, a couple of shorter swords she didn’t know the name of and there was even a smaller version of a crossbow in it. Turning it over in her hands, she noticed that it had been tampered with and that it was in no way an ordinary crossbow. What exactly it did, she couldn’t be sure of without asking Andras, which at that moment she was not inclined to do.
She picked up one of the stilettos and looked at it. “Think you could fit that in my hair somewhere?”
Seiko merely looked at her without saying anything.
“Alright, alright, it was just an idea.” Haneul grinned and shoved the stiletto into her boot, picking up a second one for the other boot. Then she proceeded to strap a few knives to her arms and hid a few more weapons all over her body.
“Don’t you think you have enough by now?” Seiko shook her head at her mistress, threw the unused weapons back in the bag and picked up the now considerably less weighty pouch to bring it back to Andras. Before she stepped away from Haneul however, she shoved one of the pins deeper into her hair. “Don’t forget that those are poisonous when you take them out.”
“It isn't as though I’ve never done this before, Seiko,” Haneul replied. The servant gave an apologetic shrug and moved out of the room while Haneul fastened her cloak about her.
“I hate to admit it, but you have good taste in weapons,” Haneul told Andras once she appeared in the study where he had been showed to while waiting. Without pausing, she strode past him towards the front door. “Where are we starting?” Then she threw her hood over the fancy hair-do and strode into the downpour, knowing that Andras wouldn’t be far behind, wanting to take care of business just as badly as she did.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
“I figured I’d pick up some of the toothpicks you folk use back east. The round ones are ridiculous, by the way.” He rolled his shoulders and lurched off the chair, annoyed that she had left without consulting him as to the new objective. The servant handed him back the bag. Having not been privy to Haneul’s equipment procedure, he at first thought he was going to be expected to carry all of her weapons for her. When he realized how light the bag was, he took a look inside.
He took another glance at Haneul as she left, squinting his eyes. He could see the crossbow and chakrams, but where were the…?
“Hold on, damn it. Don’t waltz around with a crossbow holstered. Put it in the damn bag if you don’t want to get pegged by the guard before tomorrow is out. For fuck’s sake, you’re more eager about this than you are about sex.” He turned his eyes briefly towards Haneul’s servant and muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
He approached her in the doorway. “The first target is Dum, obviously. I’ve had my boys staring at his house for a while now.” He didn’t choose to tell Haneul about a few other orders he had given, just in case. “I made sure they were well hidden. We’ll rendezvous with them. If he’s in there, we’ll know.”
He held out the large satchel for her. To prevent her from depositing the crossbow into the bag and leaving him with it, Andras had held out the bag with the flap facing his side. He hadn’t gotten as far as he had by playing pack mule for a stuck up wizard.
“I’m sure you’ve realized,” Andras said with a voice laden with sarcasm, “that even if the bastard’s half as smart as his name indicates, he won’t be. In which case I’ve got an unfortunate suspicion or two as to his actual location. Your thoughts on the matter, however, are surely invaluable.”
He took another glance at Haneul as she left, squinting his eyes. He could see the crossbow and chakrams, but where were the…?
“Hold on, damn it. Don’t waltz around with a crossbow holstered. Put it in the damn bag if you don’t want to get pegged by the guard before tomorrow is out. For fuck’s sake, you’re more eager about this than you are about sex.” He turned his eyes briefly towards Haneul’s servant and muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
He approached her in the doorway. “The first target is Dum, obviously. I’ve had my boys staring at his house for a while now.” He didn’t choose to tell Haneul about a few other orders he had given, just in case. “I made sure they were well hidden. We’ll rendezvous with them. If he’s in there, we’ll know.”
He held out the large satchel for her. To prevent her from depositing the crossbow into the bag and leaving him with it, Andras had held out the bag with the flap facing his side. He hadn’t gotten as far as he had by playing pack mule for a stuck up wizard.
“I’m sure you’ve realized,” Andras said with a voice laden with sarcasm, “that even if the bastard’s half as smart as his name indicates, he won’t be. In which case I’ve got an unfortunate suspicion or two as to his actual location. Your thoughts on the matter, however, are surely invaluable.”
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Haneul halted briefly when Andras called out to her and checked the position of the crossbow, which she had finally picked up again after a little contemplation and strapped to her body along with the rest of the weapons. “Fine, fine,” she muttered and started rearranging the crossbow and her cloak so that the weapon was concealed underneath the garment but still readily available to be drawn.
The guards had never given her any trouble so far. Then again, she had avoided them whenever she could, even when she was walking the streets as one of Shanuri’s dancers and not roaming in the shadows. She had never really bothered hiding her weapons on nightly strolls as she used the darkness for concealment, and while it wasn’t exactly dark out anymore during these very early morning hours, it clearly wasn’t going to be a bright day what with heavy rain clouds obscuring what little light there might have been.
But she was willing to indulge Andras on this since they needed to work together for a few hours at least that day. And worse, they were probably going to have to rely on each other. Now wouldn’t that be interesting.
When Andras held the satchel out to her and made yet another snide remark, she just raised an eyebrow and took a few steps back towards the house, satchel in hand. “Who is to say this isn’t foreplay?” Handing it to Seiko, she added in a lower voice while Andras kept talking in the background: “I won’t be needing this. You know what to do.”
Then Haneul turned back to the man and adopted the same tone he had employed. “Oh don’t worry. I wouldn’t dare to assume that you would even listen to a word I had to say anyway.” And damn, if she wasn’t starting to become talkative around the guy. That just went to show how much he grated on her nerves. It was becoming more and more difficult to simply ignore him.
The way to Dum’s passed in their usual companionship, it if could be called that. If Andras could be bothered to talk to her, it was merely to make a snide remark which Haneul ignored and for the rest she didn’t speak to him until they had arrived at their destination. Her fingers were itching as they needed to clean up this mess, but her magic was resting quietly, for now.
The guards had never given her any trouble so far. Then again, she had avoided them whenever she could, even when she was walking the streets as one of Shanuri’s dancers and not roaming in the shadows. She had never really bothered hiding her weapons on nightly strolls as she used the darkness for concealment, and while it wasn’t exactly dark out anymore during these very early morning hours, it clearly wasn’t going to be a bright day what with heavy rain clouds obscuring what little light there might have been.
But she was willing to indulge Andras on this since they needed to work together for a few hours at least that day. And worse, they were probably going to have to rely on each other. Now wouldn’t that be interesting.
When Andras held the satchel out to her and made yet another snide remark, she just raised an eyebrow and took a few steps back towards the house, satchel in hand. “Who is to say this isn’t foreplay?” Handing it to Seiko, she added in a lower voice while Andras kept talking in the background: “I won’t be needing this. You know what to do.”
Then Haneul turned back to the man and adopted the same tone he had employed. “Oh don’t worry. I wouldn’t dare to assume that you would even listen to a word I had to say anyway.” And damn, if she wasn’t starting to become talkative around the guy. That just went to show how much he grated on her nerves. It was becoming more and more difficult to simply ignore him.
The way to Dum’s passed in their usual companionship, it if could be called that. If Andras could be bothered to talk to her, it was merely to make a snide remark which Haneul ignored and for the rest she didn’t speak to him until they had arrived at their destination. Her fingers were itching as they needed to clean up this mess, but her magic was resting quietly, for now.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Andras watched, mouth agape, as Haneul tried to hide an entire crossbow under her cloak. When she seemed content with her work, Andras slapped his gloved hand against his face and said, “Let’s just get this over with.”
Openly carrying may be perfectly legal in Marn, but that in no way meant that carrying a crossbow around wasn’t suspicious. Carrying a crossbow the morning a handful of violence was perpetrated? Possibly involving victims filled with crossbow bolts? Andras could only assume she wasn’t thinking straight because she had previously worked as an above-board bounty hunter. He prayed that she’d be such an obvious suspect that he’d be overlooked, but knew better.
“At least don’t weaken the string by carrying it through the rain. You cloak can’t be that waterproof!” He bargained. His voice carried an uncharacteristic note of worry. He grabbed the bag right off of the servant and started carrying it after Haneul’s retreating form. “Fucking novice,” He growled under his breath.
Once the tiresome journey was over. Andras approached through the alley to where he’d left his men. The rain had beaten heavily down upon them, soaking through their hoods. They looked like wet rats. Andras thanked Teonidus they weren’t already huddling together for warmth.
“I take it you haven’t seen him?” Andras asked.
One of them grinned apologetically. He took a cautious step backwards. Without magic like Haneul’s to hide their features under the hood, their discomfort was plain to see. “Nah, not a peep from o’er there.” He said, raising his hands halfway to a surrender posture.
“Called it,” Andras said, turning to Haneul. “We’ve got a few ways to go from here. Option one: the Morringtons got here first. If that’s the case, we’re already fucked. Option two: he fled to his stepbrother’s. I doubt he’d go to the Morrington’s willingly, considering he sold them the tainted drugs, so I figure that’s our best bet. Option three: he’s hiding with Lavelle, wherever the bitch is.”
Andras had flipped up a finger with each new option. One of the titres stared at him oddly, uncertain why he was addressing the cloaked harlot. The other yawned loudly enough that the early morning rain couldn’t mask the sound. Slowly, some kind of comprehension seemed to dawn in their eyes, which they tried to hide when Andras turned their way. “None of you have found Joss yet?” He asked. They shook their heads.
“Useless. Then I guess we’re heading to the stepbrother’s. Or...” He paused, looking over his shoulder. "Neither of you have seen anyone at all?" he asked. They shook their heads again. "Then I'm going to break in. You'll pick the lock," He nodded to one of the titres, "You'll keep watch," he nodded to the other one, "and the bitch'll help me look."
Openly carrying may be perfectly legal in Marn, but that in no way meant that carrying a crossbow around wasn’t suspicious. Carrying a crossbow the morning a handful of violence was perpetrated? Possibly involving victims filled with crossbow bolts? Andras could only assume she wasn’t thinking straight because she had previously worked as an above-board bounty hunter. He prayed that she’d be such an obvious suspect that he’d be overlooked, but knew better.
“At least don’t weaken the string by carrying it through the rain. You cloak can’t be that waterproof!” He bargained. His voice carried an uncharacteristic note of worry. He grabbed the bag right off of the servant and started carrying it after Haneul’s retreating form. “Fucking novice,” He growled under his breath.
Once the tiresome journey was over. Andras approached through the alley to where he’d left his men. The rain had beaten heavily down upon them, soaking through their hoods. They looked like wet rats. Andras thanked Teonidus they weren’t already huddling together for warmth.
“I take it you haven’t seen him?” Andras asked.
One of them grinned apologetically. He took a cautious step backwards. Without magic like Haneul’s to hide their features under the hood, their discomfort was plain to see. “Nah, not a peep from o’er there.” He said, raising his hands halfway to a surrender posture.
“Called it,” Andras said, turning to Haneul. “We’ve got a few ways to go from here. Option one: the Morringtons got here first. If that’s the case, we’re already fucked. Option two: he fled to his stepbrother’s. I doubt he’d go to the Morrington’s willingly, considering he sold them the tainted drugs, so I figure that’s our best bet. Option three: he’s hiding with Lavelle, wherever the bitch is.”
Andras had flipped up a finger with each new option. One of the titres stared at him oddly, uncertain why he was addressing the cloaked harlot. The other yawned loudly enough that the early morning rain couldn’t mask the sound. Slowly, some kind of comprehension seemed to dawn in their eyes, which they tried to hide when Andras turned their way. “None of you have found Joss yet?” He asked. They shook their heads.
“Useless. Then I guess we’re heading to the stepbrother’s. Or...” He paused, looking over his shoulder. "Neither of you have seen anyone at all?" he asked. They shook their heads again. "Then I'm going to break in. You'll pick the lock," He nodded to one of the titres, "You'll keep watch," he nodded to the other one, "and the bitch'll help me look."
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Blah, blah, blah! Did that man ever stop complaining? Such a perky disposition… Or was it just her that brought out that lovely side of him? Such an annoying person.
The truly annoying thing however was that even the magical waterproof weaving in her cloak was starting to fail under the onslaught of constant downpour. She would have to look into upgrading this a bit. Hopefully the crossbow wasn’t damaged. In hindsight, she really shouldn’t have taken it. But of course she wouldn’t admit that in front of Andras. She wouldn’t hear the end of it.
While he talked to his informants, Haneul merely stood next to him, quiet and observing. Their surroundings seemed quiet, nothing moved, except for rivulets of water making its way wherever it pleased. The three options Andras then proceeded to list were the ones she had considered as well. If the Morringtons had got here before them… Well, if he was dead, the job was done but if they had taken him.. Either way, they needed to be certain. Nodding, she was about to say that he should send the rats to check out the stepbrother’s place while they scoped things out here when Andras came to the same solution.
Obscured by her hood, she narrowed her eyes at him when he referred to her as bitch but she didn’t comment. It wouldn’t be helpful to speak up now, especially not when some of the guys had started looking at them in a slightly bizarre fashion when Andras consulted her, sort of, on the options they had.
Though the beatings were still rooted in their bones so they didn’t dare say anything and soon after, they scurried away to do their master’s bidding before all their orders had been completely issued. Well at least they seemed to obey him, even if it didn’t look like the healthiest of relations – for the rats anyway.
Dum’s house was quiet, almost too quiet, and completely dark. It was the early morning hours though so it may just have been perfectly normal for him. The lock was picked as requested, with a small hiccup which Haneul wrote up to nerves, and then they were inside. “Might as well leave a calling card,” she hissed, gesturing at the water pooling around their feet and dripping from their cloaks. Not for the first time, she wished she had some power over water.
Rudimentary furniture with a few rare displays of riches here and there, probably in an attempt to make an impression, if any of it was even real, the house looked clean enough. The mess here and there didn’t stem from an attack at least, not at first glance. Haneul didn’t wait for Andras but immediately went in search of the bedroom, where either Dum was sleeping, had drowned in his own blood or from where he might have been abducted if the Morringtons had beat them here. The rest of the house was of absolutely no interest to her.
The truly annoying thing however was that even the magical waterproof weaving in her cloak was starting to fail under the onslaught of constant downpour. She would have to look into upgrading this a bit. Hopefully the crossbow wasn’t damaged. In hindsight, she really shouldn’t have taken it. But of course she wouldn’t admit that in front of Andras. She wouldn’t hear the end of it.
While he talked to his informants, Haneul merely stood next to him, quiet and observing. Their surroundings seemed quiet, nothing moved, except for rivulets of water making its way wherever it pleased. The three options Andras then proceeded to list were the ones she had considered as well. If the Morringtons had got here before them… Well, if he was dead, the job was done but if they had taken him.. Either way, they needed to be certain. Nodding, she was about to say that he should send the rats to check out the stepbrother’s place while they scoped things out here when Andras came to the same solution.
Obscured by her hood, she narrowed her eyes at him when he referred to her as bitch but she didn’t comment. It wouldn’t be helpful to speak up now, especially not when some of the guys had started looking at them in a slightly bizarre fashion when Andras consulted her, sort of, on the options they had.
Though the beatings were still rooted in their bones so they didn’t dare say anything and soon after, they scurried away to do their master’s bidding before all their orders had been completely issued. Well at least they seemed to obey him, even if it didn’t look like the healthiest of relations – for the rats anyway.
Dum’s house was quiet, almost too quiet, and completely dark. It was the early morning hours though so it may just have been perfectly normal for him. The lock was picked as requested, with a small hiccup which Haneul wrote up to nerves, and then they were inside. “Might as well leave a calling card,” she hissed, gesturing at the water pooling around their feet and dripping from their cloaks. Not for the first time, she wished she had some power over water.
Rudimentary furniture with a few rare displays of riches here and there, probably in an attempt to make an impression, if any of it was even real, the house looked clean enough. The mess here and there didn’t stem from an attack at least, not at first glance. Haneul didn’t wait for Andras but immediately went in search of the bedroom, where either Dum was sleeping, had drowned in his own blood or from where he might have been abducted if the Morringtons had beat them here. The rest of the house was of absolutely no interest to her.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Andras nodded in agreement at the puddles forming on the ground, “Might as well make it a robbery, then.” He said with a smirk. He grabbed the gaudiest of the trinkets and shoved it into the half-empty bag of weaponry. Following Haneul up the stairs, as he went through the hall snatching whatever trinkets he pleased.
The duo eventually located what Andras was fairly certain would be a bedroom. He raised a finger to his lips and slowly began to turn the handle. With equal sloth, he moved the door inwards ever so slowly. When it was open less than an inch, Andras stopped.
He glanced down at the floor. You only needed a tripwire set up to ring a bell once before you started checking every door for it. In this particular case, his paranoia went unrewarded. He continued to creep forward until he was certain the bed was empty. Andras rolled his head and exhaled, shoving the door open as he did so.
“He’s not here.” Andras announced, stepping into the room. He started rummaging around the room. He opened drawers and looked beneath desks, and even touched the books on the shelf, flipping through them. One of them had a handsome knife used as a bookmark. Andras pocketed it.
Setting the book back into the heavy shelf, he turned back to Haneul. He was disappointed, but it had been a long shot. Self-conscious of the fact that his decision to investigate the house may have cost valuable time, he turned to Haneul and asked “Find anything?”
The duo eventually located what Andras was fairly certain would be a bedroom. He raised a finger to his lips and slowly began to turn the handle. With equal sloth, he moved the door inwards ever so slowly. When it was open less than an inch, Andras stopped.
He glanced down at the floor. You only needed a tripwire set up to ring a bell once before you started checking every door for it. In this particular case, his paranoia went unrewarded. He continued to creep forward until he was certain the bed was empty. Andras rolled his head and exhaled, shoving the door open as he did so.
“He’s not here.” Andras announced, stepping into the room. He started rummaging around the room. He opened drawers and looked beneath desks, and even touched the books on the shelf, flipping through them. One of them had a handsome knife used as a bookmark. Andras pocketed it.
Setting the book back into the heavy shelf, he turned back to Haneul. He was disappointed, but it had been a long shot. Self-conscious of the fact that his decision to investigate the house may have cost valuable time, he turned to Haneul and asked “Find anything?”
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Haneul stayed behind Andras when the man ever so slowly opened the bedroom door, ready to intervene just in case someone might jump out at them. Shadows were already creeping in from every side, ready to be used in whatever way the mage saw fit.
None of them were needed though. It became clear very quickly that Dum wasn’t home. The untouched bed, a few clothes discarded clothes lying around made it appear as though he hadn’t even been home for the night. Or maybe he was just always a little disorderly in his private rooms where nobody else would see.
Since there was nothing left for them to do, Haneul turned back towards the door and had already stepped through it when she noticed that Andras wasn’t following. Instead, he began rifling through Dum’s drawers and personal affects. Frowning, she observed him for a while and then casually leaned against the door jamb, waiting for him to finish. Sure, it looked more like a robbery if person items had been gone through but the expression on Andras’ face spoke volumes.
When the man finally finished and turned towards her to inquire whether she had found something, she merely lifted an eyebrow and replied: “I wasn’t aware we were looking for something. Dum is obviously not here so there’s no point in lingering.”
Not interested in the discussion this was going to generate most likely, she turned on her heels and walked back down the hallway to the stairs. “Check the office,” she called back, remembering a brief glimpse into an ajar door on the ground floor that had shown a desk littered with papers. She didn’t know what exactly Andras was looking for nor did she particularly care, but the sooner he was done with it and the more helpful she was, the quicker they were rid of each other again.
None of them were needed though. It became clear very quickly that Dum wasn’t home. The untouched bed, a few clothes discarded clothes lying around made it appear as though he hadn’t even been home for the night. Or maybe he was just always a little disorderly in his private rooms where nobody else would see.
Since there was nothing left for them to do, Haneul turned back towards the door and had already stepped through it when she noticed that Andras wasn’t following. Instead, he began rifling through Dum’s drawers and personal affects. Frowning, she observed him for a while and then casually leaned against the door jamb, waiting for him to finish. Sure, it looked more like a robbery if person items had been gone through but the expression on Andras’ face spoke volumes.
When the man finally finished and turned towards her to inquire whether she had found something, she merely lifted an eyebrow and replied: “I wasn’t aware we were looking for something. Dum is obviously not here so there’s no point in lingering.”
Not interested in the discussion this was going to generate most likely, she turned on her heels and walked back down the hallway to the stairs. “Check the office,” she called back, remembering a brief glimpse into an ajar door on the ground floor that had shown a desk littered with papers. She didn’t know what exactly Andras was looking for nor did she particularly care, but the sooner he was done with it and the more helpful she was, the quicker they were rid of each other again.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
“Shut your trap.” Andras replied, shoving the book back onto the shelf. Raising his voice so that Haneul could hear him as she retreated, he continued. “If he’s with Lavelle, we need to be able to track him before the Morringtons do. That means evidence, and fast.”
Andras contemplated his surroundings. He hesitated momentarily, a tiny sliver of doubt creeping into him. This uncertainty was quickly surpressed. His reasoning was sound, after all. Rather than continue to consider that he might be grasping at straws, he pressed the attack as he left the room.
“Look, if your background hunting monsters or whatever you did in Eyropa is going to fuck this up for us, I swear I’ll never let you hear the end of it.” And, admittedly, if they fucked this up Andras planned to kill her before she could kill them. He thought it wise not to mention that part.
Andras took her advice and moved downstairs. Not because she gave it, of course. He had been about to do that anyways. After a few minutes of sorting through papers and turning up nothing, something slammed into the window behind Andras. With his mouth still agape, Andras turned around. A small chip was in the window; whatever had caused it had fallen to the soft earth of Dum’s backyard. Gears slowly turned in Andras’ head.
“Oh shit.” He said. He rushed through the house and grabbed Haneul by the wrist. “C’mon. The lookout just gave us a signal, we’re leaving.” When the pair exited through the back door, Andras could hear the Morrington investigator banging on the front.
Andras contemplated his surroundings. He hesitated momentarily, a tiny sliver of doubt creeping into him. This uncertainty was quickly surpressed. His reasoning was sound, after all. Rather than continue to consider that he might be grasping at straws, he pressed the attack as he left the room.
“Look, if your background hunting monsters or whatever you did in Eyropa is going to fuck this up for us, I swear I’ll never let you hear the end of it.” And, admittedly, if they fucked this up Andras planned to kill her before she could kill them. He thought it wise not to mention that part.
Andras took her advice and moved downstairs. Not because she gave it, of course. He had been about to do that anyways. After a few minutes of sorting through papers and turning up nothing, something slammed into the window behind Andras. With his mouth still agape, Andras turned around. A small chip was in the window; whatever had caused it had fallen to the soft earth of Dum’s backyard. Gears slowly turned in Andras’ head.
“Oh shit.” He said. He rushed through the house and grabbed Haneul by the wrist. “C’mon. The lookout just gave us a signal, we’re leaving.” When the pair exited through the back door, Andras could hear the Morrington investigator banging on the front.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Ah yes, throwing insults her way but then doing what she suggested. Seemed like she definitely wasn’t the only one not admitting when the other was right. Not that it excused Andras’ behaviour but in some dark corner of her mind, it almost made Haneul grin.
She ignored whatever else he was throwing in her face and lingered in the hallway, not interested in what he was looking to find in the office. In a way he might be right in that they needed to find some information on Lavelle in case Dum was with her, but with his street knowledge, he should know that it was unlikely that he would find something obvious here. It wasn’t as though Dum would have left a map of Marn behind with a big fat arrow pointing to the spot where Lavelle was spending her time.
A sort of elongated box with very intricate design, sat on a sideboard next to the front door, caught Haneul’s eye. There was just something about the swirls worked into the wood that called out to her. She was just about to open the lid when Andras hurried out of the office and snatched at her wrist, hissing something about a warning signal. On impulse, Haneul snagged the box and let Andras lead her into the kitchen towards the back door.
The key in the lock made their exit very swift and not even seconds too late! Someone was pounding on the door and it didn’t take a genius to figure out who that might be. The echo of the first knock hadn’t even completely faded yet when an even louder pounding followed.
“He’s got a damn horse!” Haneul cursed when she spotted the, admittedly, graceful beast standing close by. “How far to the stepbrother’s place? I hope you’re in good shape...” She didn’t complete the sentence; it was unnecessary. Before they had taken more than a few steps, Andras’ thug scurried up to them. “There’s another one on of them on lookout!”
She ignored whatever else he was throwing in her face and lingered in the hallway, not interested in what he was looking to find in the office. In a way he might be right in that they needed to find some information on Lavelle in case Dum was with her, but with his street knowledge, he should know that it was unlikely that he would find something obvious here. It wasn’t as though Dum would have left a map of Marn behind with a big fat arrow pointing to the spot where Lavelle was spending her time.
A sort of elongated box with very intricate design, sat on a sideboard next to the front door, caught Haneul’s eye. There was just something about the swirls worked into the wood that called out to her. She was just about to open the lid when Andras hurried out of the office and snatched at her wrist, hissing something about a warning signal. On impulse, Haneul snagged the box and let Andras lead her into the kitchen towards the back door.
The key in the lock made their exit very swift and not even seconds too late! Someone was pounding on the door and it didn’t take a genius to figure out who that might be. The echo of the first knock hadn’t even completely faded yet when an even louder pounding followed.
“He’s got a damn horse!” Haneul cursed when she spotted the, admittedly, graceful beast standing close by. “How far to the stepbrother’s place? I hope you’re in good shape...” She didn’t complete the sentence; it was unnecessary. Before they had taken more than a few steps, Andras’ thug scurried up to them. “There’s another one on of them on lookout!”
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Andras peered around their corner, looking at the street from the backyard. The rain obscured them well enough that he got a solid glance at their rival. He wore a thick grey cowl to protect him from the weather, and had marched up to Dum’s door. Unlike the two paragon agents, he clearly didn’t feel the need to be as subtle.
“I’d worry about your fitness first.” Andras replied, not looking back in her direction. He ducked back around the corner and started thinking. He was interrupted by his excitable underling running over to warn them about the lookout.
“What? Where?”
“O’er by the horse. He’s behind it, you can’t see ‘im from here.”
Computing this new information on the fly, Andras started moving away from the house. “Follow me, don’t ask stupid questions,” he told Haneul. He flipped open his bag as he walked, the investigators growing further and further away. Once they had moved half a block away, Andras found what he was looking for. His thick hands pulled out two dark strips of fabric. He tossed one to Haneul, who would soon identify it for what it was: a simple mask constructed from some burlap sack, with two holes for the eyes.
“Were they armed?” Andras asked the rat, who by now was fidgeting anxiously. The rat shook his head vigorously. Andras sighed, pulling a blackjack from his bag. He doubted Haneul was going to try to keep this nonlethal. He set the blackjack back into his bag and pulled Lavell’s knife from his hip.
The crude emblem of the serpent on its hilt caught drops of rain. Andras twirled the weapon. His gut told him Lavelle was involved in all of this, somehow. His grip on the weapon strengthened until his knuckles turned white.
“I will find you.” He whispered, then used his free hand to drag the sack over his head. More loudly, he announced, “We’re stealing the horse. No way to beat them there without it.”
Between the rain, the darkness of the morning, his hood, and the skin-like tone of the bag, Andras was confident he could approach without raising too much alarm. “You stay here.” He told Haneul, with a nod to her crossbow, “Might as well use the damn thing.”
With his free hand, Andras tossed Haneul’s half-empty bag to the rat. “You get the fuck out of here.”
The rat was running before Andras had finished the sentence. Andras took a few breaths; the soaked burlap wasn’t the most breathable material. He rolled his shoulders, shook his head, and flipped the knife to a backwards grip so that he could hide the blade as he walked. Casually, he walked around the corner as if he were any a pedestrian on the street.
The steel felt cold against his wrist. Under the mask, Andras licked his lips with anticipation.
“I’d worry about your fitness first.” Andras replied, not looking back in her direction. He ducked back around the corner and started thinking. He was interrupted by his excitable underling running over to warn them about the lookout.
“What? Where?”
“O’er by the horse. He’s behind it, you can’t see ‘im from here.”
Computing this new information on the fly, Andras started moving away from the house. “Follow me, don’t ask stupid questions,” he told Haneul. He flipped open his bag as he walked, the investigators growing further and further away. Once they had moved half a block away, Andras found what he was looking for. His thick hands pulled out two dark strips of fabric. He tossed one to Haneul, who would soon identify it for what it was: a simple mask constructed from some burlap sack, with two holes for the eyes.
“Were they armed?” Andras asked the rat, who by now was fidgeting anxiously. The rat shook his head vigorously. Andras sighed, pulling a blackjack from his bag. He doubted Haneul was going to try to keep this nonlethal. He set the blackjack back into his bag and pulled Lavell’s knife from his hip.
The crude emblem of the serpent on its hilt caught drops of rain. Andras twirled the weapon. His gut told him Lavelle was involved in all of this, somehow. His grip on the weapon strengthened until his knuckles turned white.
“I will find you.” He whispered, then used his free hand to drag the sack over his head. More loudly, he announced, “We’re stealing the horse. No way to beat them there without it.”
Between the rain, the darkness of the morning, his hood, and the skin-like tone of the bag, Andras was confident he could approach without raising too much alarm. “You stay here.” He told Haneul, with a nod to her crossbow, “Might as well use the damn thing.”
With his free hand, Andras tossed Haneul’s half-empty bag to the rat. “You get the fuck out of here.”
The rat was running before Andras had finished the sentence. Andras took a few breaths; the soaked burlap wasn’t the most breathable material. He rolled his shoulders, shook his head, and flipped the knife to a backwards grip so that he could hide the blade as he walked. Casually, he walked around the corner as if he were any a pedestrian on the street.
The steel felt cold against his wrist. Under the mask, Andras licked his lips with anticipation.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
Whatever they did, they had to act quickly, but when Haneul watched Andras ready a knife to take care of the situation, for a brief moment, she wasn’t so sure that was the best way to go. Killing the Morringtons may not be the worst thing they could do but if it was the best choice in this particular situation was a different matter. Then again, this was a drug dealer’s house and if the Morringtons had a bone to pick with him because of bad drugs, the conclusion that they may not be the only ones holding a grudge would be quick to follow if blood was shed here tonight.
Hearing a loud crash, Haneul deduced that the door pounder had finally decided to give up the pounding and broken in a window instead. Shaking her camouflaged head at the idiocy of it all, she crouched at the corner of the house, surprising herself that she was following Andras’ orders, and made use of the shadows where she could to shield both of them as much as possible without tapping too far into her magic, not wanting to alert anyone, especially not the person snooping around the house.
Speaking of… No.
Haneul reined back in her desire to play games with the intruder inside the house.
The crossbow was ready in her hands and she was aiming towards the back of the horse. The guy was well concealed but the mage had spotted him nonetheless. The outlook’s eyes were now firmly planted on Andras, assessing if the latter presented a threat or not. The gleam of the knife in Andras’ hand was completely dulled with the shadows moving around his figure and Haneul couldn’t help herself. She let a glimpse of nightmare bleed into the shadows, making the lookout gasp involuntarily. Without consciously meaning to, the man retreated a step with wide eyes, thus exposing himself more than he would have wanted to had he not been frightened, giving Andras a useful opening. The horse must have seen or felt something as well as it began nervously dancing on its feet, but well-trained as it was, it remained where it had been left.
Hearing a loud crash, Haneul deduced that the door pounder had finally decided to give up the pounding and broken in a window instead. Shaking her camouflaged head at the idiocy of it all, she crouched at the corner of the house, surprising herself that she was following Andras’ orders, and made use of the shadows where she could to shield both of them as much as possible without tapping too far into her magic, not wanting to alert anyone, especially not the person snooping around the house.
Speaking of… No.
Haneul reined back in her desire to play games with the intruder inside the house.
The crossbow was ready in her hands and she was aiming towards the back of the horse. The guy was well concealed but the mage had spotted him nonetheless. The outlook’s eyes were now firmly planted on Andras, assessing if the latter presented a threat or not. The gleam of the knife in Andras’ hand was completely dulled with the shadows moving around his figure and Haneul couldn’t help herself. She let a glimpse of nightmare bleed into the shadows, making the lookout gasp involuntarily. Without consciously meaning to, the man retreated a step with wide eyes, thus exposing himself more than he would have wanted to had he not been frightened, giving Andras a useful opening. The horse must have seen or felt something as well as it began nervously dancing on its feet, but well-trained as it was, it remained where it had been left.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
The knife felt surprisingly heavy on Andras’ wrist. He had killed marks before -you couldn’t beat men upside the head with blackjacks for a living and expect all of them to live- but that had always been an accident. Andras didn’t concern himself with guilt over events he hadn’t intended to cause.
As his heavy boot splashed through a puddle that had amassed upon the cobblestone, Andras further found his decision troubling. This wasn’t a Eyropan, this was a tried and true Marnian. This was— oh, right, this was a Morrington.
Andras drew his blade and lunged. The world grew darker, and for a brief moment Andras didn’t know what was happening. The man had been paralyzed with fear. He was too scared to scream. Andras’ blade slid cleanly into his throat.
Red liquid dribbled over Andras’ glove and was diluted by rainwater. It was already over. The job had been so clean that the horse only watched the proceedings uneasily. Andras grabbed the man by the shoulder and brought the Morrington’s center of gravity into his chest, then dragged the corpse around the corner. His position behind the horse worked to their favor. The investigator at the door hadn’t noticed a thing. He dragged the unfortunate fellow to the side and set him in a sitting position on the fence.
Andras retracted his arms and listened over the rain. He heard three loud thumps; the sound of a fist hitting the door. He looked down at the dead man in front of him, then reached down to his chest and fixed his shirt up a bit. Andras wasn’t completely certain why he did so.
With a short exhale, which released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Andras took the reins of the horse and started to lead it to the side. Once it was around the fence, Andras hopped onto the beast’s back and pressed his chest against its mane. It was a big chesnut creature. He gently goaded it forwards until he was safely out of sight around the next house, whereupon he kicked it up to a quicker pace.
He stopped the horse in front of Haneul, it’s hooves creating a splash each time they set down. He extended his bloody gauntlet down to her and said, all business, “C’mon, hurry. Good job.”
It wasn’t the most eloquent response, but it would do. By Andras’ estimation, that couldn’t have gone much better, but the investigator was most likely already walking back to learn why the horse had suddenly started moving.
As his heavy boot splashed through a puddle that had amassed upon the cobblestone, Andras further found his decision troubling. This wasn’t a Eyropan, this was a tried and true Marnian. This was— oh, right, this was a Morrington.
Andras drew his blade and lunged. The world grew darker, and for a brief moment Andras didn’t know what was happening. The man had been paralyzed with fear. He was too scared to scream. Andras’ blade slid cleanly into his throat.
Red liquid dribbled over Andras’ glove and was diluted by rainwater. It was already over. The job had been so clean that the horse only watched the proceedings uneasily. Andras grabbed the man by the shoulder and brought the Morrington’s center of gravity into his chest, then dragged the corpse around the corner. His position behind the horse worked to their favor. The investigator at the door hadn’t noticed a thing. He dragged the unfortunate fellow to the side and set him in a sitting position on the fence.
Andras retracted his arms and listened over the rain. He heard three loud thumps; the sound of a fist hitting the door. He looked down at the dead man in front of him, then reached down to his chest and fixed his shirt up a bit. Andras wasn’t completely certain why he did so.
With a short exhale, which released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Andras took the reins of the horse and started to lead it to the side. Once it was around the fence, Andras hopped onto the beast’s back and pressed his chest against its mane. It was a big chesnut creature. He gently goaded it forwards until he was safely out of sight around the next house, whereupon he kicked it up to a quicker pace.
He stopped the horse in front of Haneul, it’s hooves creating a splash each time they set down. He extended his bloody gauntlet down to her and said, all business, “C’mon, hurry. Good job.”
It wasn’t the most eloquent response, but it would do. By Andras’ estimation, that couldn’t have gone much better, but the investigator was most likely already walking back to learn why the horse had suddenly started moving.
Re: Never Play(ed) Fair: The Goodtime Gang
It was over in the blink of an eye and Haneul was satisfied with the outcome. Witness silenced, nobody alerted and the body hidden in no time with little fuss. When Andras appeared around the bend with the only very slightly skittish horse, the mage was certain that this had gone far better than they could have hoped – so far anyway – and on horseback they would definitely be quicker than the man they were leaving behind to scout the house.
She hesitated only a moment before accepting Andras’ hand to help her up onto the horse’s back. And the hesitation was in no way due to the fact that she didn’t trust the man or that there was blood clinging to his gauntlet. It was due to the fact that he actually uttered words of praise. Haneul was surprised that he even knew how to speak such words and that he didn’t choke on them.
Wisely, she didn’t say anything though. “I’ll shield us as much as we can,” she said in a low voice as Andras urged the horse into a quicker pace. She would at least shield until they were a little distance away, in case the left-over Morrington got any stupid ideas or there had been another lookout stationed somewhere else entirely. Doubtful however.
Behind them an alarmed shout sounded as the second man stepped out of the door to investigate the clopping of hooves and discovered that not only his mount had disappeared but so had his man. So far though, there were no signs of pursuit.
Haneul kept shadows wrapped around them, blocking them from view for the most part without making it look as though there were a big blob of darkness moving through the streets until they were a safe distance away without any further clamour sounding behind them.
She hesitated only a moment before accepting Andras’ hand to help her up onto the horse’s back. And the hesitation was in no way due to the fact that she didn’t trust the man or that there was blood clinging to his gauntlet. It was due to the fact that he actually uttered words of praise. Haneul was surprised that he even knew how to speak such words and that he didn’t choke on them.
Wisely, she didn’t say anything though. “I’ll shield us as much as we can,” she said in a low voice as Andras urged the horse into a quicker pace. She would at least shield until they were a little distance away, in case the left-over Morrington got any stupid ideas or there had been another lookout stationed somewhere else entirely. Doubtful however.
Behind them an alarmed shout sounded as the second man stepped out of the door to investigate the clopping of hooves and discovered that not only his mount had disappeared but so had his man. So far though, there were no signs of pursuit.
Haneul kept shadows wrapped around them, blocking them from view for the most part without making it look as though there were a big blob of darkness moving through the streets until they were a safe distance away without any further clamour sounding behind them.