The ominous wind (Daechir + Nocme)

[Nocme]

It was just the usual for summer solstice festival. Fun games, good food, loud music and assassination, LOADS of assassinations. It is the only time many lords and ladies went out for fun with minimum security (basically without their fortified castle and masnsion), a perfect opportunity for many rivals to hire assassins to take out their target. Which mean there have been many request for Nocme, and she is kind of bored of it all to be honest.

Silently she sit in a tree, unmoving from her position and keeping a steady breathing. In this meditative stance she could hear her target moving between the stalls, chatting and buying presents for his lover. She doesn’t move an inch unless he moved out of his hearing range, and even then it was quietly through the bustling crowd. Her features completely covered by the usual scarf and poncho, a common clothing so no one care to give her more than a glance.

Dace flew high above, often shifting between the lights. He knew full well how noticeable he is due to his feathers and takes care in to camouflaging himself between the lights. As well as keeping a close tab on the target his friend pick up. An elf with his skin darker than the night. He won’t admit it, but Dace is a tad bit jealous of the colouring. His white feather is only ever useful in the snow, not in the natural forest of Vida.

However neither of them make a move. They can’t at the moment. He neither get food or drinks for them to poison. Nor is he isolated, they cannot cover their track so easily in this massive group of crowds, not to mention this would give other assassin a perfect chance to assassinate her target. She is not going to let that happen. She needed the money to bribe the boatman again.

So patiently the duo tailed their target. Waiting for an opportunity. Any opportunity.

[Daechir]

It really was a beautiful day for a festival. The summer solstice was always a holiday he both enjoyed and did not. The long hours of daylight were not ideal for his sensitive eyes, but the air held a particular feeling in it. The sensation of mystery laying just beneath the surface. Normally being out in the market he would have worn a suit rather than his leather armor, but the heat would have been nearly unbearable in so much cloth, and certain events this morning had ended with him in this rather than his suit.

Even without it he could easily charm the merchants who's wares managed to catch his attention. Balthasar was on his mind endlessly as he shopped. It made him smile, and be far more generous with the merchants than he might have been otherwise. It also distracted him somewhat.

Since he had eaten breakfast with Balthasar earlier he avoided the food booths, focusing instead on those shops which offered wares that might offer something further for him to surprise his beloved elf with. There were few things in this world that gave him greater joy than surprising Balthasar. So even though he had woken the elf with several pleasant surprises this morning, he was not going to pass up the chance to look for a few more.

Still, he was having a bit of difficulty finding something suitable. The only thing he had picked up so far was a set of bells which he intended to give Noir. They were large, durable bells which he could tell would both amuse and annoy the feline. With a small smile the dark-skinned elf paused by another stall, looking over the wares with a touch of interest. Not for the first time a flicker of white caught upon the edge of his vision. He was not entirely sure when he had first noticed it, but now and then for a little while now... there had been something there. Following.

Daechir smiled and waved off the merchant, and heading toward an alley that would lead him to another street corner after a few turns. Most of the main roads were heavy with traffic, but the real reason that he preferred the alley were the thick shadows that he could find here. He lifted a hand to his temple. All of the sun was threatening to give him a headache.

Something made a small noise behind him and Daed's red eyes slid over the alley. There it was again, but easier to see now in the shadows without so many people to distract from it. Something with feathers. Why was there a bird following him? The dark elf continued walking, not allowing his awareness to touch his features or change his pace. He had the distinct feeling that the bird was trying to remain unseen. If it was trying to hide its presence Daed did not want to make it aware that it had been found out. Perhaps it was the pet of a thief? There were a few animals that were attracted to shiny objects of their own volition, and one of them may have been enraptured by the flash of silver and diamonds that adorned his ears.

Perhaps.

[Nocme]

Nocme made a choice. This is the last job she is going to take for today. Afterwards she is going to play games with Dace. Just by trailing behind the target she was incredibly drawn towards some of the amusement games, but priorities meant that she has to tail him rather than try to scoop up a gold fish. Gold fish are very delicious when fried, and its Dace’s favourite food – one of his favourite food at least, he is a huge glutton.

The guy spent a lot of time in trinket store, he seems to be buying present. He takes a long time in each booth, checking each item and having a nice long chat with the merchant to the point Nocme want to punch something, because the conversation is incredibly annoying to listen to, not to mention she has to not get distracted by other trinket she want to get for Dace. Her xavar always brought her gift, sometime she wanted to give back to him as well.

She wondered who his partner is, and for a brief moment wondered if his partner would come for her if she or he find out. Although with Dace also losing patience, they better get this job done as soon as possible. Several time she suspect that Dace was seen, especially since some passerbys also began to whisper about a strange white bird. He does try to stay as far from civilian as possible, as the difference between him and dove - in appearance - is his glowing red eyes leaving a light vapour trail.

Soon both of them are grateful and happy to see the man turn a corner, entering into a small alley way. Bad for Dace since he has no festival lights and puppets to use for cover. However it does mean there is a chance for Nocme to strike finally. She quickly change position from the crowd and above among the trees. Climbing is always a necessity when living in the woods, and having a city that has so many trees integrated into the street made assassination much easier.

They start with the first part: distraction. Once the guy goes deeper into the alley where it was devoid of other living things, Dace flew down and landed on a wooden barrel. It is hard to not notice an albino xavar, and Dace knew it. He began to preen his feather, while his red eye kept a close eye on the dark elf. Occasionally he stops completely and just stare at the target, unblinking red eye tend to draw all the attention. The more attention on him, the less will be on Nocme.

She walked as silently as possible high above on the branches. Any sound she made is covered up by Dace loud cawing or him scratching the barrel on purpose. He put up a good display of overly-curious-bird-that-want-to-steal-thing act. The xavar has done this before, holding attention well. Sometime the target caught on quick, but never quick enough to catch his friend though.

Catch her as she came down from above, dagger aimed for the neck.

[Daechir]

It was the flutter of wings that drew Daechir's attention. Before, even when he entered the alley the bird had not made a sound at all, but now it did. The bird landed on a barrel in front of him, preening a bit. It was then that he realized with a small start what kind of bird it was. The glowing red eyes that trailed smoke told him that it wasn't some kind of albino crow, but rather a xavar with bright white feathers. What an unusual bird.

The xavar crowed at him loudly, and Daed could not help but tense. It had been subtle in following him, and he did not like that it had suddenly revealed its presence now. Daechir reached for the shadows, wrapping them around himself. If he was wrong then there would not be anyone to know that he had made the error. If he was correct...

In the space of an instant Daechir disappeared, his body moving through the shadows to the other side of the white bird just as someone landed hard in the space where he had just been. The glint of metal in the other's hand told him that it was no simple attempt to steal from him. An assassin?

Daed felt a flicker of a smile run over his lips. Already he was encouraging the shadows near the xavar to come to life. Capture the pet, and perhaps the assassin would more inclined to talk to him. "An assassin on the summer solstice? Tell me, what did I do to deserve the honor of your company?"

[Nocme]

Nocme cursed as her dagger landed in nothing. Dace did too, until he notice the shadow around him coming for him. Alarm bell immediately rang and he bolt off trying to get away from the dark tendrils. However he is just not fast enough and was captured, making Nocme frozen on the other side of the street. If anything she don’t want to lose Dace, she can lose her reputation as an assassin for all she cared, but not her friend.

Now I know why his bounty is abnormally high...
She thought to herself as she stare at the man warily, it would be bad for both of them if she just charge in recklessly. Even the xavar knew its best not to move or do anything until they have an idea on how to run. For now all she could do was to carry on the conversation, and hopefully buy enough time for Dace to somehow wiggle free of those bindings.

“Nothing much, it’s just summer solstice. Many targets and many more contract for one. We don’t care for reasons,” she said simply. It is common at this time of the year for one target to get multiple hits, and thus many assassins going for the same target. The more skilled one will get the kill of course and get paid at the end by the multiple contracts.

“Now if you just let my friend go... I’ll give up this contract and leave you alone...” she said slowly, trying her best to remain calm and hiding her agitation. However seeing Dace caught up in that makes it very difficult.

[Daechir]

Shadows rose up all around the bleached xavar, covering it in a haze of shadows. It struggled against the hold and Daechir took a small step forward. The assassin saw the state of the xavar eyes flickering to it and then to the darkly-skinned elf who held it captive. Did the assassin assume that he would be defenseless in a world like this? It seemed so. Almost casually he weighed the assassin. The layers made it difficult to tell much about them. So many did say one thing however. They did not want anyone to know who they were.

He could assume a smaller profile than the one presented to him, and with such a delicate voice... he suspected that this assassin was a female. An assassin with brown eyes and a white xavar.

Daechir moved far enough forward for his own fingers to slide over the bird, using his own dark fingers rather than the shadows to keep it pinned. It could try to attack him of course, but with his fingers pinning the xavar's wings it would have to be willing to risk a broken wing for it's freedom.

"Do you normally accept jobs where you know so little about the target? It seems you were not warned about my skills at all and you did not even bother to ask why they wanted me dead? Or even who it was?"

The tall man frowned slightly, petting the xavar a little with his thumb. It was just a little amusing to think that someone had been sent to kill him. He could not think of anyone in particular that would want him killed, and the fact that this assassin knew nothing about it, or about him... it was almost disappointing.

[Nocme]

Dace was trying not to panic, as much as a bird would when caught by someone bigger, and also he knew how rash Nocme becomes if she was worrying over him. Not doing so well as she was getting panicky by herself and seeing the man pinning her friend down is tying her stomach into knots. She tried to cover it up by continuing the conversation.

“Less I know, less I care... It’s always a petty squabble anyways...” She said hastily, her eyes keeping a close watch on his finger trying to see where she could hit and not injure Dace. She tried to use her breathing skill to heighten her other senses as well, to hear his heartbeat or the twitch of the muscle. However she is a tad insulted that he thought she did not do her research. “I did know your skill, know the power you have over shadows. Was only hoping I could get you before you used any of it,” mostly because she has nothing in her disposal that could counter those shadows, nothing she can do about it once his skill starts. In hindsight she should have remembered that he is more powerful in the dark, but both herself and Dace was getting a bit too impatient.

At this time right now she knows she has to be patient, she needs to know how to safely get Dace out of his hands. Cautiously she took a few steps forward, keeping her hand out of the poncho and the dagger put away in its holster, trying to show she is no longer a threat. While behind the scarf she could only keep muttering small words trying to ease herself and hope for the best.

Please be okay... Please let him go...

[Daechir]

Daechir considered the woman's words. He was more and more sure that it was in fact a woman. The way she moved, the size and proportion of her body, what little he could make of it; they all suggested that he was correct in his small assumption. Or perhaps the assassin was simply a small gracefully built man with a delicate voice. The soft smile that touched Daed's lips were for his thoughts. Did knowing the assassin that was sent after him matter really?

Well, curiosity had always been one of his flaws.

"It seems that you underestimated me to much assassin. It really is just as well." The xavar was uncomfortable under his touch, even though he was in a way trying to comfort the creature. There was little comfort to be found though when one was a captive. Daed's smile faded somewhat. "My life belongs to someone else, and they would not be very pleased if I just let you take it."

The assassin took a small step toward him and Daechir's red eyes flashed. "I would suggest keeping that distance between you and I, I know nothing about you after all save that you just tried to kill me. Simply tell me what you do know about your prospective client, and I will let you and your companion go."

[Nocme]

Nocme swallowed a bit, freezing in place as she saw the eyes. She can always guess people’s intention through their orbs, and that flash right now just show that she should do as he says. Especially since Dace start to squirm a bit more in the elf’s hand, being held like that is no fun for anyone.

She was right in her assumption that someone will come after her if the assassination went well, which is why she has covered herself as much as possible, to the point she could be mistaken for a guy if she did not speak at all. Still right now she doesn’t care about all that, or her own safety. Just Dace, she want her friend to be safe and its getting her antsy the longer she sees him caught up like that.

“Alright, alright I’ll tell you who gave me the contract... Just... let him go...” she just can’t keep up with the façade anymore. And she always knew that if she didn’t land the first strike there is no way for her to win a fight. She kind of wished she took the lesson from the mystic seriously, so she has some better abilities to keep her friend safe.

“The guy was a bandit leader, ranting mostly about loss of product because some band of thieves managed to steal from him. Something about golden dog, and to be honest I stop listening when he keeps going on about his status...”

Hopefully it was enough for the man to loosen his grip on Dace.

[Daechir]

Daechir did not immediately accede to her request, waiting patiently for her to give out the information that she had on whoever it was that had hired her in the first place. He was not quite so trusting as that, particularly not with someone who he did not know and had after all tried to kill him. He had to wonder just a little to himself what Balthasar would say when he mentioned all this later. Daed did not keep secrets from his beloved elf, but something like this.

The woman spilled her clients secrets with ease, erasing the last trace of Daechir's smile. One of those who had run afoul of Balthasar it seemed. Had one of those who had survived that most recent incident taken over? Was he looking for revenge? Or perhaps it was some other bandit.

Something dangerous flickered for a moment inside those red eyes, something cold. It did not share space with his fine features, but it was there. Moving inside him for an instant before it rolled away.

Gently Daechir released the xavar just a touch. "To you xavar, I apologize. For keeping you captive and from your mistress so long." His fingers left the bird's body as gently as they had come, and in his care he left not a single feather bent or out of place. He had never intended to harm the creature. He nodded once to the assassin standing in the shadows. Even in the light of day they gathered here. Gathered close to him.

If she had come to kill Balthasar he would not have been so generous, it was lucky then that she had come for him instead.

[Nocme]

As soon as his finger let go, Dace flew straight to Nocme and she dash towards him, hugging him close. The xavar cawed and chirped trying to ease his friend’s worry, even pecking her scarf off her head so he could nuzzle close to her face. She was relieved enough to just sit on the floor and holding her friend close.

They are both very aware that there are others in the alley, she wasn’t sure if they are rival assassins or the guys personal body guard. She is wary to move too quickly unless these guys left. Dace seems to become more determined to protect Nocme this time and made loud shrieking cry at the elf. She just held on tight to his leg so he wouldn’t fly off to peck at his face. Sometime she feels the bird has an ego just as big as his stomach.

“Dace is not happy to hear that you know, I’m not his mistress,” the xavar cawed in agreement. It was common understanding among those who spend time with xavar’s that these birds does not ever consider themselves below any race, sometime equal, but never below. Even if the guy doesn't mean it that way, it's hard to get it in to a bird who has been held captive just few minutes ago.

“Since I’m not exactly going to attack you anymore, can I assume those guys are not going to attack us either? Or your partner that you are buying presents for won't come for us? We really are just doing our job...” she asked cautiously. Dace is however more interested in looking for the money pouch. Yes the bird has a vengeful streak, which Nocme didn’t mind as it does mean they are both well fed for most of the time.

[Daechir]

Daechir was no fool, he knew how angry the xavar was at being captured, at being held against it's will. Nor did he argue with the assassin over his choice of wording. Perhaps the xavar did not see the ties that bound it to her, or saw those ties differently than Daed did. That was after all very often the case. As independent as Noir and Poppy were, they were his as much as Balthasar was. He might love Balthasar more, and differently, but that did not change his obligations to the panther or to the wolf.

He had more important things to consider. Such as the people that moved in the shadows. The people that were not him, nor the assassin he had managed to catch off guard.

"These people are not here to assist me assassin." Daed's red eyes slid to one, making the man pause. They were shifting. Aware of one another. Gathering their courage to attack.

There were more of them than he was entirely comfortable handling himself. If he let loose he could not guarantee that he would not accidentally harm the assassin and though she had just tried to kill him he had no designs upon her life. "I can not promise you that will not find yourself hunted." His red eyes slid back to her, his eyes flickering toward the xavar with a small smile then back once more. "Your job was to steal that which belongs to him, and he has different values than I do."

Gently he offered her a small smile. "You did not succeed, so I will not seek any retribution from you, but I suggest you leave if you do not wish to become entangled in the fight that is likely to ensue."

[Nocme]

They are not together?

This only spells trouble for her. Sometime rival assassin like to make sure there is one less assassin to compete for jobs, so she wouldn’t know if they will leave her alone or try to kill her as well. “Well look like these guys also don’t want me to leave,” as much as she love to do just that.

One finally got enough courage to come forward, although he seems to be hoping to take out the young assassin first. Without a doubt he thought she was weak for wanting her friend’s safety than her reputation. It will be his loss.

Even from her kneeling position, just rolling to the side dodged the attack. It also gave Dace the perfect flight path to shoot up and attack the man’s face. From there it was as simple as standing up and slit his throat. Even though that does spark the rest to come in as well, which is a lot in such a small alleyway.

“You guys do realize that this is technically a brawl and not an assassination if you ALL come in at once right?” she just had to comment, because this is a little bit ridiculous. It’s not like she care about her reputation that much, her only real reason she took up assassination is that all other job pay way less and too long of an hour.

It did not really discourage them and they come in, so all she could really do is summon up a good gust of wind. People on the main street will feel a slight breeze, but in the tight space everyone who isn’t prepared for it will get an eye full of dust. Using magic does tire her out a little, but not so much that she couldn’t move in and quickly put down a few more assassin’s that are near her. Dace also took down one and he would definitely need a bath soon.

[Daechir]

It did not take long for one of the assassins, a young bold man with a dagger that gleamed brightly in the shadows to move forward. His steps carrying him not toward Daed, but toward the assassin who had failed to kill him instead. Rivals perhaps? Or perhaps the young man assumed that her failed attempt was actually them teaming up. Daechir did not move to protect her. Her life was not his to protect, and with the others moving in he did not have the time to overstep his bounds.

Not that he needed to anyway. The woman was skilled enough to deal with the boy in the matter of an instant. The scent of blood rose up like perfume in the air and Daed's white smile flashed to life in an instant.

Even as the others moved forward Daed moved as well. Wrapping shadows around one and choking the man. While the man gasped suddenly for breath he could not find Daed ruthlessly punched him in the face. Smashing his nose in a single brutal blow. Daechir lacked the strength to make the break clean, but blood spilled down the man's face and his eyes rolled back in his head. A single step carried Daed to the next man, lunging with a dagger aimed for the elf's heart.

Daed did not kill him, but an arrow whistling past Daechir's shoulder pierced his heart and the man leaned forward onto his own blade and lay quite still. There were more. Moving through the shadows as though they were born to the dark, but Daed knew that they were only playing pretend. That they hid in the dark, found refuge in the night, but they were not truly children of the shadows. Another attack missed and another man found himself stumbling forward, this time into a wall, Daechir pressing him into it and dislocating his shoulder. A scream went up, but none of them were hiding now.

This quiet assassination had become simply a fight to survive.

[Nocme]

And a brawl it is.

Nocme doesn’t mind it too much, she has a decent enough strength to trip and stab whoever that got close to her or Dace. The bird is obviously venting his capture on any assassin, the beaks and claw taking on a bright red hue. Thankfully none from themselves, but unfortunately there are a lot more coming. Some doesn’t even seem like assassins, rather just the regular thugs on the road.

While fighting she can’t help but just admire her target’s magical power. It was powerful enough to take down several without getting a single scratch. While she was tired just from one spell and is getting more exhausted having to fight those who are more used to head on fighting, rather than sneak attack like her. Once or twice she has to throw dust in their eye to get out of their view and then plunge a knife into their chest.

The fight begins to wind down a little, which is just as well. Nocme was struggling to dodge now with the exhaustion settling in. One wrong step caused her to twist her ankle. With a surprised cry she fell to the floor. Two goons saw that and tried to take advantage of it. Dace got one in the eye, while Nocme got the other with a spare dagger. And just by mostly reflex, she threw the third one towards the dark elf. Not at him of course, she have promised not to go after him, but at the one that is just behind him. It hit the neck, and the last of the fighters fall to the floor, leaving her target the only one standing.

Not sure if he really needed that help, but what is done is done. Nocme lies on the floor breathing heavily, her leg hurt and she wish there will be no more coming. Dace rest on her chest, gently pecking her chin to make sure she is still alive.

[Daechir]

Every would-be assassin that came near to Daechir met either with the brutal end of his fist, or writhing shadows that ended their efforts to kill him with silent efficiency. Others might have felt a tinge of guilt at killing them, he only felt a faint displeasure at the waste of it all. They were wasting their lives trying to kill him, but their lives were not his and they could waste them all they wanted.

The last of the group fell dead to the ground. Only a few luckier making small pained groans or lolling in unconsciousness. The dark-skinned elf stepped neatly over one of the bodies, moving with silent grace toward the woman who had been the first to try her luck in killing him. She more than any of the others was quite lucky.

A flash of blue lit the sky in a streak behind him for a brief moment, but he paid the light no mind as he looked down at the assassin. "You have a debt assassin, a small one but I will not forget it." A small smile slid across his lips, a flash of white teeth before the darkness rose up around him warm and inviting as it always was; at least to him.

When the shadows faded back to their natural shape there was no sign of him at all. Only the faintest scent of leather, silver, blood, and something like the scent of lightning after the light has faded lingering in his wake to tell that he had ever been there at all.

~ telaalet ~

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