An ordinary day... ?

[Freya]

((I thought I'd be brave and be the first to post... ))

It was a typical market day. People bustled about, seeing to their daily business, casting no notice to anything around them, which was better for Freya. Tiny stalls of fruit, vegetables, fabrics... even a few animals here and there. People talked in excited voices, marvelling at the 'bargain' they had just bought. "...real silk. Imported you know. Can't get it like this anywhere else..." Freya smiled to herself. People were so foolish. All they cared about was who had the best, and being nosy about what everyone else was getting, and most stupidly, not paying any attention to those who weren'tdoing anything.

The hood of her cloak was down, her short blonde hair shone white under the sun. Ice blues eyes looked toward other people, deciding who should be the first to 'lose' something. Her eyes immediately rested on a wealthy man, bragging in a loud voice about all the things he owned. The smile grew a bit wider, and she made her way over there, casually. Though it was hard with the heavy stormsteel sword hanging by her waist, not that you could see it mind.

Walking by him swiftly, she accidentally-on-purpose bumped into him, taking a small, but heavy, pouch of gold from his pocket and slipping it into her own.

"Umm.... sorry" she said apologetically, looking up at him.

The man looked down at her, evidently judging her. He took a little while, and Freya still held that same 'sorry' expression. "That's OK" he said after a while. "Have you seen this? Hand made, exquisite isn't it?" Freya merely nodded her head and left the man standing with that small group of people, continually boasting to all that would listen. She walked slowly away, and merged her self in the crowd. Her hand slipped into her pocket, clutching the bag of coins she may as well have been given.

[TwilightQueen]

His head seemed like it would explode each time he took a step. Last night was a bad night, the over-consumption of alcohol and a nightmare-filled night had lead to the worst headache and one of the foulest moods Exodus had ever experienced. The hood of his cloak was up, the sunny day taking it's toll on his eyes. The shadow the silver-grey material cast over his sharp features coupled with his wretched hangover made him look even more ghoul-like than normal. His normally excellent posture was reduced to a sullen slouch as he wandered the busy market, his hands curling into tight fists ready to knock out the next person to make a loud noise.

Namely, the fat merchant boasting about his silks. Even when some girl had run into him, he continued to brag. From the looks of the girl, she couldn't aford anything he was offering, but arrogance makes many blind, he supposed.

He forced himself to keep walking. While he'd love to uhsheath both of his blades and have a go at any noisemaker in range, he knew that there was no way he could take on the guard in this city. So, with a heavy sigh he kept walking, many giving the haunted-looking man as wide a berth as possible.

[Freya]

Freya kept walking until she got to somewhere she could sit, a small cluster of chairs outside a tavern. Sitting out from the blazing sun, she watched everyone. She found it quite fascinating how people could act that way. Just trying to make sure they had the best, as she had encountered from the very kind man who had quite happily given her his money. A smile appeared on her face as she thought of it. He probably wouldn't notice for a while, until he had finished his awful boasting at least.

Eyes strayed to a tall man wearing a spidersilk cloak. He looked... half dead, and with a killer hangover. How well she knew that feeling. He really did not look happy, People kind of parted when he walked along. Though she couldn't blame them, she wouldn't exactly like to bump into him. Sharp eyes noted his clenched fists. No, she really couldn't blame them. However, she shouldn't judge really.

Looking over her shoulder, she saw many people drinking their sorrows away. She raised her brow. At this time? Blimey. Turning back round, eyes once more resting on the man. "Yeh know, the light really ain't that good for yeh." Shocked a little at her sudden outburst (not the right word but couldn't think of another), she looked resolutely at him, not showing anything of course, she wasn't stupid.

[TwilightQueen]

It took a while for him to realize that one of the voices was directed at him. Due to the fact that he wasn't really expecting to be talked to, he didn't really hear all of what was said. Something about light and it not being good. He turned to look at the girl, making his way out of the busy traffic of shoppers to stand near the tavern. While he really want to start yelling at the girl, he didn't really have any reason to.

After looking her over quickly, he finally spoke. "What's your name?" he asked, voice raspy and deep as if he hadn't slept in weeks. "Do you know me?" While the second question might seem an odd one, it really wasn't. For all he knew, she could've been sent out to hire. Or she could be out for revenge. He never really knew these days, especially in this state of being.

[Freya]

((Sorry it took this long to reply.))

A bemused smile was placed upon her face. She only half watched everyone around her, she had something much more interesting to be keeping herself entertained. Freya watched the man she had spoken to as he turned and walked toward her. She sat slouched in the chair, tired from having little sleep for the past week or so. His first question she was unsure to answer, he was anyone, he could have been sent by someone... The man's second question interrupted her thoughts. This really did make her grin.

"Nah, I don't know yeh, but I know someone with a killer hangover when I see someone." How well she knew it. Suddenly, another thought interrupted. What if he hasn't got a hangover. Oops. Eh well, she would just have to get on with it. "I'm Freya, who are you?" She decided it couldnt be too bad to tell him, could it?

((Sorry for the crud post))

[TwilightQueen]

((Heh. Don't worry about it. I've been up in Chicago and or working for the past couple of days (Note: Chicago's only a quick train ride away for me).))

Was it that obvious? He rubbed his temples with gloved forefingers, wishing the headache that threatened to liquify his brain would just go away. He dropped his hand to his side, looking to the girl who had introduced herself as Freya. She was short, her blonde hair a mess and dressed in all black. If Exodus had to make his judgements now, which he always did, he'd guess she was either an assassin much like he was, or a theif.

"Name's Exodus," he gave. Sure, it just might be his ego talking, but her appearances told him she wouldn't be much of a challenge to take down should the need arise. Of course, his guesses also told him that he would want to keep one eye open while around her. His guesses were usually right.

He turned to glance at the tavern, his addiction craving alcohol even with his head in it's condition. At the very least, he could sit down and get some actual food in his gut. His turned his marble-like eyes to the girl's blue ones. "Let's go inside and talk." He didn't say it, but he had a feeling that he might want to get to know this Freya better. At least, he thought, I should keep an eye on her for a while.

[Delos]

Ronan weaved and darted among the crowd, the blazing sun beating down on him and sapping his strength, making him dull witted and slowing his reaction time down. He knew it would also be having the same effect on his prey, but it was hard to target his next victim when his throat was so dry. Still to get a drink he'd need money, and to get money you had to hunt. It was easier to steal this way, pretending it was his rightful claim to take some idiots money without them noticing...easier not easy. His eyes scanned the crowd and he was rewarded, some old fat woman was simpering and making eyes at some dealer trying to get a better price on a golden bracelet inlaid with jewels. Easily rich enough to not notice a few missing coins the young thief took the chance and discreetly slipped a hand into her bag. His small fist withdrew a split second later holding two bronze coins and one silver, loose change, disappointing but enough. He rushed to the tavern as fast as he could, the promise of an ice cold drink making everything else fade from his mind. Unfortunately just before he entered the tavern he found his way blocked all of a sudden. SLAM! It was like running into a brick wall and next thing Ronan was spinning wildly before hitting the ground hard. With a yell of disappointment, anger and pain all mixed together he looked down at his now empty, coin-less, scratched hands. Glaring at the man he hit, the boys face changed from indignant anger to awe as he took note of the expensive spidersilk cloak and the stormsteel sword, and judging from the scars this guy was no poser.
"...Sorry sir, it was an accident, honest." Ronan said as he picked himself up.

[Freya]

((urgh, I just realised how much school sucks))

She deliberated whether she would actually go into the tavern with him, when her eye caught the figure of a man picking from a lady's bag. Takes one to know one. Freya soon decided that she would there couldn't be any harm, could there? This may be well and good, she wouldn't even attempt to 'take' anything from him. She wasn't that stupid. Standing, she took the thick cloak off, making sure nothing fell out. It might look a bit suspicious to have a couple of knives and daggers fall out. And yeh suppose it don' look suspicious teh have that sword round yeh waist either? she thought to herself. "Yeah, alright" and she took a few steps before she heard a slam. "What the he-" she started as she turned around, only to find some guy recoiling from walking straight into Exodus. This slight surprise soon change into amusement as she watched the new man, and to her greater surprise, the same person she had spotted earlier. Shaking her head and slinging the cloak over her arm, she walked into the tavern that was already getting busier. She picked a free table, well, the only free table that wasn't completely wrecked, and sat down in exactly the same position she had been in before. She wasn't going to drink... yet. Ice blue eyes watched at the door for any signs of what Exodus was to say to the man who had bumped into him.She presumed he wasn't one to take things like that lightly.

[TwilightQueen]

Today hated him, it seemed. If it weren't for the fact that the thing that had recently collided with him was a small boy who looked like he could use a good meal or two, he might very well have lost his ballance completely. Instead, he only stumbled over a bit, easily catching himself and taking on a fighting stance.

When it finally registered that it was, indeed, a young boy that had smacked into his leg, Exodus forced his battle-lust to cool and sheathed his short sword. Nonchalant, he ran a hand over his money pouch. Yep, every coin was still in place. Knowing that this market place was a feeding ground for all of the cities thieves, he couldn't ever be sure it was just an accident.

"Don't fret, kid," he half-sighed, "It's not like I'm going to kill you. Not with all these guards about." Well, Exodus never was one to know when it was a good time to try and make a joke and when it wasn't. His brother was always the funny one, after all.

He turned his eyes momentarily from the boy, watching the girl take her seat in the bar. "Let's get inside, kid," he said, not wanting to stand outside in the blasted heat another moment if he could avoid it. it. Besides, he really needed something to eat. His mouth still tasted of alcohol and bile from last night's indulgance.

[Delos]

Craning his head fully back so he could see into the man’s face when he was talking to him, Ronan was unpleasantly surprised to find a strong smell of alcohol hit him. Euch! Still he kept a straight face, not wanting to be rude or anything….or at least his face was straight until he realised he’d been called a ‘kid’…twice! Little hands clenched into fists and eyes suddenly ignited with an indignant light the small boy struggled to keep himself from firing off a flame or two to show off, let's see any other 'kids' do that! Luckily…or sort off, the rest of the man’s speech sunk in, this guy, did he give a death threat? Or rather a 'you’re lucky there are guards here' sort of one? Eyes flicking back to the stormsteel sword, Ronan’s eyes went wide as he let his imagination conjure an image of him and this man locked in a fearsome battle. Ronan won of course, and he decided to ignore those annoying voices telling him the outcome would be considerably different.

“My name is not kid, it’s Ronan.”, the ‘kid’ surprised himself, he just gave out his real name! Why the hell did he do that? Brushing dirt of his hands and clothes he stepped ahead of the man into the tavern before turning and saying,
“Thank you” in an ironically polite way. Sure he’d lost the money, and now had a few new scratches, but he wasn’t being brutally beaten for his clumsiness and was also getting temporary relief from the hot sun to boot!

The bar comprised of a cool dark room with lots of scrubbed wooden tables, most of which seemed to be smashed, the only one that wasn’t was being occupied by a pretty white haired woman. Not sure what exactly he was meant to do now he was in the bar as he was penniless Ronan just stood awkwardly looking around.

[TwilightQueen]

Childhood memories flooded Exodus's mind. Boyhood romps though the countryside and hide-and-seek clouded his mind's eye. Genisis's face... it was as if he were right there beside him. For a second he had forgotten that he was a full-grown man... and that his twin brother was long dead. Slowly and painfully, Exodus forced those memories deep into his mind, making himself come back to the present.

Damn that boy, Exodus mused idly, half irritated at himself for letting his mind run rampant, I'd never have guessed there was another kid like Gensis running about. Letting his hood fall, Exodus entered the tavern, welcome the respite from the near-intollerable heat outside. It was a decent little place: clean tables, two or three cute barmaids. Judging from the state of several tables, this place was not a stranger to barfights. To bad there wasn't one now... Exodus sighed again.

A quick scan of the surrounding told him that there was really no potential danger in store, so he allowed himself to relax a bit. He looked down to the kid... Ronin, he said his name was, then gestured to the table where Freya sat. "Go sit, Ronin. I can only assume you want a meal bought for you. Why else would you have bumped into me?" He'd heard of the ruse before: a scrawny street-kid runs into a wealthy-looking adult. The kid claims it was an accident and the adult buys them a meal to show "no harm done." Of course, Exodus really didn't mind. He had a soft-spot for kids, you might say.

As he took his seat, he looked to Freya. "We have a bit more company."

[Delos]

At the suggestion that he had ran into Exodus on purpose Ronan shook his head vehemently.
"Never! I'd never do such a thing..." his pride and the thought of an actual cooked meal fought against inside of him, eventually they got a sort of compromise.
"...and I do not need charity...any debt I get myself into I'll get myself out of." The small boy said with as much dignity he could muster, a satisfied smile pushed it's way onto his face as he thought of yet another way to prove he wasn't a child. A child would take the meal and go, Ronan would work to pay it off...well he would work to pay off a personal debt, stealing to pay off what you owe just didn't seem right. Your mess, you get yourself out of it.

Looking towards the beautiful woman sitting at the non-wrecked table, Ronan automatically catalogued her. No...from the way she moved and the way she looked at him, she's to in control of her own body and senses to be stolen from. A lot like that man actually, maybe she was another murderer? Sitting down next to her he grinned slightly and gave a small nod in way of greeting.

[TwilightQueen]

((I'm going to wait for Freya before continuing. Tis only fair.))

[Delos]

((Yeah, I was a bit hesitant to post myself))

[Freya]

I'm here I'm here I'm here!! Phew! Been rushed off my feet. Anywho...


Kids. They amused her. And it looked as though Exodus and Ronan, or whatever his name was, were getting on just fine. Well, as far as she could tell. She looked around to all the other people in the tavern, there was some fat guy slumped over the table, deep in a drunken stupor. Urgh. People working behind the bar, but mainly people drinking as much as they could get. Freya turned back as Ronan and Exodus made their way over, and she smiled lightly. "Well, it looks as if we do." A slight nod of the head in return, and then "How old are yeh kid?" Though she knew full well he didn't appreciate being called kid from his 'firey' display outside. No matter.

Freya wasn't actually that hungry. She was quite happy to sit and 'talk' as Exodus had said. But that didn't mean she wouldn't have a drink, she just wasn't going to yet. The stink of stale smoke and alcohol went right through her. She thought that she would have gotten usd to it by now. After all, she had been in many taverns.


Awfully short x.x