Assassins R Us

A calm look floated over the crowd, even as the Hybrid walked down from the stairs. The usual warning had been issued to new customers: a cloaked and hooded being exited from the rooms within the bar to either sit with another patron or just walk out the door. The aura of the being was just as calm as his gait as he turned the hood to the corner of the bar. Shadowed as he had asked when he took up residency, it was for his business. Someone sat there, a glass of crimson wine swirled in his hand as Miruka approached. Black, gloved hands tugged each other on tighter before he sat down at the table with the man. It was the usual customer- a woman know as the Redeemer to the rest of the city that cared. The Redeemer was just a fictitious title, one that she used to gather a small fortune among those in Rajeh. The pale woman always came to the bar in a cloak, but the scent that he had was what had given her away, time and time against to the Kamijonjou assassin. The woman waited a moment before she spoke, in a calm tone, towards the bar keeper, "Two mugs of mead and a jug of sake, please."

Why she needed such things perplexed the assassin, however, he never asked her about it. It was a ritual that she 'played' with him. Always, she bought him two mugs of mead before the assassination. Once he has asked, and she had replied, it was to losen him up before the mission. The sake was a victory drink for his return. Such things the Redeemer also considered an advancement on his pay, even though she always paid him in full. With a calm aura still floating out of his hidden figure, the male turned his head to the bar keeper as he dropped off the drinks. He knew by now what went where, and after that was done, Miruka drank the first one slowly. The woman waited until he finished before the Redeemer spoke, just loud enough so the pair at the table could hear each other, "Assassin, I have two new targets for you. One is a male, the other is a female. I suggest the female first. Here," she dug into a back that she had brought with her, and handed him two had-painted pictures, "Mintel and Mek'tial, the two who threatened to destroy the Rdeemer's good name. Please don't let these two live on and disgrace the Redeemer."

Miruka was silent for a time before a nod came. She seemed to have a better look upon her shadowed face then, as he drained the second mug swiftly. Alcohol of that level barely had an effect on the assassin. Sake was far stronger, and even then, he was able to hold down four to five shots before he was even buzzed. The Kami assassin never spoke, however, he could write in this time's writing. He calmly walked up the stairs to the room that he occupied and withdrew the Katana that he kept there until it was time to kill or practice. He looked the weapon over- oh, it was simple to believe that it was just a katana, but the curved, single-edged weapon held meaning to the assassin. He turned and looked out the window a moment- he knew the usual meeting place. Mek'tial, he had heard of that man. He denounced any and all religions or faiths in others unless they were for the Kami. Miruka really didn't care either way. The woman he hadn't heard of, however, the picture also came with instructions on where to find her at night. A grunt sounded from the hood of the assassin- she was just a drunk. Listed were bars off all kind- and if she wasn't a drinker, then she was whore.

- - -

Several hours later the short scuffle had ended. The head was wrapped and preserved in a basket that he had with him for a short time, though he had dropped off at his room. The assassin re-tightened his gloves and set out. While he had searched for this 'Mintel', he had also looked for information on Mek'tial. He had found out the man was not here to be nice. He lived with a tribe that roamed, unlike the stable city that Miruka lived in. A short sigh slid from the lips of the assassin as he mounted on his horse. The animal was forced to nearly stampede down the road as he dug his heel's into the animal's side. Oh, the animal was fine with it, it'd been used to it- and Miruka still fed the animal and took care of it. It understood that, and a little pain before the journey meant little, these days. Now he was off to their encampment that was settled almost a smile out in the desert. The horse was a strong, desert breed that lived years.

- - -

Now Miruka had arrived within sight. He wasn't the type to ask questions- the guards were quick to note the black dot, however, not quick enough to react to it's jump and decent from the sky. Steel flashed from scabbard as he beheaded the men. The should get the leader's attention. He slashed the blade out once more to get the blood off the blade before his eyes narrowed. None of these 'humans' stood a chance against him. He kept the hint of his Hybrid self away unless he wanted to fly. He stayed silent as he waited, his body in position and defend himself.

Words: 945
EXP: 992

The two guards that charged at the hybrid seemed far too overconfident. The male lashed his blade from the sheath again, with one hand, to block their incoming strikes before he pulled the scabbard out with his other hand. He lashed the steel sheath out with his other hand against the curved weapons. His strength verses their speed, it was simple: the reverse and the same were equal. In other words, the statistics were the same. However, experiences was another thing. They had their weapons brandished and took on an assassin. The boy pulled the sheath back as he pushed and then jumped back. Their blades slashed air before he placed the sword back into the scabbard.

The hybrid then slammed his fist to the ground, where the sand blasted into the air. He moved back into the darkness beyond the torchlight and smiled. Yes, they were not to expect that he made all that noise so that he could just sneak in. They would all focus on one particular area and not on where he would enter. Foolish guards, it was likely the first time they'd seen one person charge in so recklessly. The man saw what their 'regular' cloths looked like. And he had seen that one of them looked just like him.

He moved around the village and then slipped in. He found a linen line, and discarded his ebony cloak away from sight. The assassin then grabbed the nearest linen and set out to find the one that looked like him. The young man narrowed his eyes towards the tent that he had seen the man in and placed his hand down on a weapon. His hand picked up a sheathed long sword, and though he wasn't familiar with the weapon, he decided it would have to do. He pulled his hair back a bit more and then slipped into the sword into his belt. He saw the man was at the end of the long tent. He seemed content with the moment, despite the alarm risen. A blade sat by his side, one similar to the one that he held in his hand.

Miruka took a step forward and the man turned. The assassin narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth, but he man turned a hand up. He wasn't sure what the hell was wrong with this person, but he paused. The man turned his eyes to Miruka's and then he spoke, "Ah, so your the one that assaulted the front of the camp. It's actually funny...they've never had this happen to them that I know of." He then stood up and threw his sword to the feet of Miruka and continued, "Mek'tial is a tyrant and a pervert. There's a new woman here- new, in fact. Go kill him with the sword, or allow her to kill him and take the head." He then turned back to where he had sat.

Miruka wasn't about to ask what was wrong with this man, he assumed that this guy wanted Mek'tial dead. He pushed out of the tent and pushed forward with his plan. Eyes narrowed, he looked around for a man that looked like Mek'tial, though he masked that by the fact that he seemed to be looking about for strange happens, as that assassin, or what he had been, had attacked for no reason at all (or at least, that's what it would seem).

Words: 572
exp: 601

When she had come back outside with her staff, there was not a single person riding down upon the encampment so it was rather strange. In fact she stopped to scratch her head. She took the moment to do a quick patrol of the area just to make sure. Now why would someone want to assault the village straight from the front and then leave with only killing a few guards it was strange. It only meant that someone else might be sneaking into camp while the attention is trained on the front. Which is what she would do in this kind of situation. So she was going to be on her guard. As she came back to the central fire, Mek'tial stepped out behind her and grabbed her around the waist, turning her to face him. The leer on his face spoke of everything that he had missed out on during the attack. "Come on girl, let's back to it? Hmm" His face nuzzled into her neck as she practically dragged her back to his tent. So much for keeping an eye out. Inside the tent the two went back to what they were doing prior to the attack....

...It wasn't long after the young man made his way into the village and had the conversation with the older gentlemen, that Kitsume stepped out of the main tent, followed by Mek'tial. There was a pained expression on her gauzy veiled face and a satisfied smile on upon his. She limped a bit as she made her way to her own tent, but Mek'tial grabbed her arm and swung her back into her his chest facing him. His head lowered for a bruising kiss before he sat down in front of the fire, pulling her into his lap. Her eyes narrowed a bit as he spoke, "Come, girl. I have to figure out where to put you. You're not a slave, unless you anger me enough that make you one. But I'm not sure if I should marry you." his hand reached up and slid his hand under the material of her top.
"Mek'tial. I will need to leave eventually to get home."
"This is your new home, girl. I'm enjoying you too much." At this point Kitsume knew that she had erred but there was nothing she could do about it, so she let him fondle her as he talked to the other men. She sat in his lap for a few moments until finally, he released her with a sloppy kiss to the neck. "Fetch us wine, girl" Oh she would fetch him wine and dump it on his head.

With that she rose from his lap and stalked towards the tent that held the supplies, that was when her eyes lit upon Miruka standing there. A quick look at his face and she knew that he was new to the village, that put her on alert, as she passed beside him, she sidestepped behind him where she and he were out of the line of sight of the fire. She glared at him and whispered, "Give me one good reason I shouldn't raise the alarm?"

536
+1txp (10/11) 5 posts

The assassin stopped when he saw someone with skin that didn't belong in area. He was sure that she was new, however, he had decided that she was just a play thing- the what that her cloths were arranged, anyway. He had taken after steps before she asked him a question, low. Ah, so she was different in some ways than he had thought. He paused as he licked his lips once before he decided on a reply, "Because you and I are the same. We're here in the village, but we're not here to stay." Oh, that message would likely get her to think about what he was here for, though not for long.

He then added, "Besides, to kill that man, surrounded, and without a way to escape..." He didn't even turn towards her- the mulling was needed. Her escape plan to get away from a village full of guards and other likes of men. Even if she had the skill to kill one man, could she kill every one of the defenders? "You'll need a way to escape besides just trying to slip out. They're on edge- and they will be for some time. And its likely your the only sober one around this area. This camp stinks of alcohol." Oh, she could call an alarm, but that would mean something else- she would raise suspicious upon herself. Her and his 'type' didn't like too much attention.

He would move on- in any case, he needed to head back towards the one who he looked like. Whatever the reason was, he wanted the man dead. Luckily, it seemed several others did- the Redeemer and whoever this girl was. There likely were more in the camp that wanted him dead. This night, he would stir a revolution on a small scale. If the girl was foolish enough to pursue, he could always lie to the men that came and say that he was the other's twin brother. They looked close enough, only some finer details were different. And drunks couldn't tell the difference, which gave him a good enough window of opportunity. Raise up and kill the man, and then let the rest destroy each other as he escaped. With that kind of chaos, who was going to look for the one that looked similar? In fact, it was also a good plan if he were to actually share the bounty with that girl. Which was just folly in the first place. Like he actually planned to let her take any of the credit.

Words: 426
exp: 446

Her strange blue eyes continue to watch the man as he spoke. So they were alike in more ways than one. Although his comments as to her not being capable enough to escape left her wanting to laugh. "I was not the one that tried for a front assault against the camp just to get in. That aroused everyone now. I could have killed him if you hadn't interrupted. Plus he's my mark, my credit. Plus I can claim first dibs since I was here first." with that she shook her head. She wasn't going to let this young upstart get the credit for the kill. Not in this lifetime anyways. Most people would ask the each other who had employed them, but in this line of work, it didn't matter. All that mattered was getting the mark and taking their life. So instead she said, "I wont raise the alarm, but you trying to get in there, will also be difficult. I'm close to him and can get off a clean kill tonight. All I need is his blood on my weapons as proof, what body part do you need?" Professional curtsy did state that if two assassins were going after the same mark, if they were going after different parts of the body, then it didn't matter who actually killed the mark. "I also need a way out. You look like him"

This is when the idea struck her and went against all that she had been taught, but above all she was an idealist. And this was an ideal solution to a problem. "I can get you into the tent later tonight. When he goes to sleep. then we both can kill the evil sadistic brute. You can take whatever part you need for proof and I can take my weapons stained in his blood." With that she continued, "Then you and I can walk out of here arm in arm while you look like him." She would wait for his answer before heading for more alcohol.

348
+1 txp (10/13) 250 exp

Did Miruka actually trust her words? Likely not, but this kill would net him a fair amount of reputation within the circle of assassins within the city. He also saw something else, he learned a little bit about leadership of small units from this one. So, that was a way to do it, he thought as he turned to her and spoke, "What I need is his head. A difficult thing to simply carry off, I'd think." It was a joke among assassins, yet there was nothing funny about it, at all. Assassins had such dark humor...

Her plan was fine with him, in any case, and he nodded his head, "Very well, that will work. If that is the plan, then I'll return to 'my' tent. I think you know the one that I'm speaking of." He turned and headed towards the tent before he spoke out once more, "If you want to call me anything, I don't have a name. Make up whatever you like." Which was very true, it wasn't like Miruka actually remembered his old name. He couldn't remember anything from twenty one years ago, like everyone else.

Once he arrived back, his look alike raised an eyebrow and said, "You didn't kill him just yet, I take it?" A nod later he smiled lightly, "You're smarter than I thought. That frontal assult to get in was quite the move, most would say bravado, of stupidity. I'd have thought that while the camp's nerves were still on edge, you'd try to move in and kill him. Instead, you scouted him, I take it?" The man poured a cup and wine and offered it to the assassin who shook his head and he tilted his before he smirked, "Another smart move, then. Parched as you might be, this wine is poison to all but us who have ingested it for years. You'll be terribly ill from the first sip alone."

Miruka couldn't believe it- perhaps the Redeemer would wipe out this whole clan some day, with their poisonous wine. He pulled out a water canteen he'd brought with him and drank from that before he slipped it back into his linen robes. The male stood and walked over to a dresser and pulled out a different set of cloths and said, "Here, wear these, assassin. As hard as it seems to understand, I'm respected in this clan. If you wear this, it's not likely that you'll be thought of as a stranger." Miruka shrugged and first checked the cloths for anything that might sting or bite him. Once satisfied, he changed cloths and meditated out of sight as he waited for the night to slip further onward...

Words: 450
exp: 480

It wasn't long before Kitsume was back at the fire with the wine and the men were drinking. Again she was pulled into the leader's lap and fondled up under the gauzy, flimsy garments. All the while the leader drank with the other hand. It was rather erotic to say the least especially to the other men around them. Who were drink and trying to gain the courage to ask their leader for a sample of his new treat. She pretended to enjoy it but loathed the man who's hand was claiming every crevice of her body in front of his men. Eventually the leader smiles at the others and stands, pulling Kitsume up with him. "Perhaps, after I tire, if I tire, of this fair skinned beauty, I will gift her to you men. Such fine curves would please any man." With that he practically dragged Kitsume into his tent his sinster laughter could be heard.

The darkness grew as the night went on and the fires dimmed. Men drank themselves into a stupor and passed out or crawled into their tents to sleep. Finally kitsume emerged, a little more bruised than normal. She made her way over to Miruka's tent and slipped inside so quietly. Softly she called out, "It is time." And with that she would await his answer before they were to make their way back to the leader's tent, no one even bothering to watch them. It was then that she lead him inside and kept watched on the tent flap. "I drugged him, he should sleep through this. Take his head and be done with it. Then we can both escape out the back. Do you have a horse?"

-301-
+1txp (10/17) 2 rps

It look Miruka little time to think on the matters of the assassination, and about the leadership involved. It made sense, with the man being a lecherous one, to use a woman to kill him. Or more preciously, to use the woman as a tactic. It was obvious that she was trusted, yet there was one more thing in it for Miruka. He was glade he wouldn't have to show his full power. Once his lookalike was asleep, he stood and added wood to the fire inside the tent. The flames hungrily chomped and licked at the wood, as would a possessive dog over his bone. The assassin calmly turned to the man and then pulled out the blade that he had given the hybrid.

It was actually quite beautiful. The craftsmanship was suburb, for a desert tribe. He shrugged at that, and examined more of the blade. Was he more than just a tribes member- or to be acurite, less than a tribes member. He pondered this before he slipped the blade back into the scabbard. It wasn't his weapon. He knew where to retrieve his cloths, luckily he had dropped them in the back of the camp.

After some time, the sounds in the camp drew to a close. Drunken moans and sleeping could be heard all around them. He was silent as he waited, and doused the light around the same time the rest went out. He narrowed his eyes and stayed by the flap of the tent, though he stayed low to the ground. His wait took a short while longer before the other assassin came over and spoke.

The pair slipped through the camp to the tent where the leader was located. He trusted enough that she had drugged the man, or done something to keep him out- that much he expected even as she told him. He nodded and then whispered, "Yes, I do have a horse. And," he said as he pulled out a leather bag, "This to carry the head in."

Words ended for the time being, he slipped into the tent like a snake. He focused his eyes before he found the leader- he was exhausted, he guessed, from something. Whatever the methods were that she used, they were her methods. He slid into a crouched position, removed the man's clothing, and then thought the words of his technique to himself, "Hitotsume: Nadegiri."

The head removed, he wrapped it in his shirt linen and then stuffed it into the bag and slipped on the leader's cloths- he had enough of the man's attitude in his head to know what to do. Though the color of hair was a problem- of course, drunken fools didn't care. He then slipped out and nodded his head towards her. He would watch for her now, since she needd the man's blood. The plan- if it continued from there, would be that they strode out and he rode towards town, where he'd drop her off. He needed to make sure that she got her own horse though- he would prefer not to lose this one.

Words: 521
EXP: 549 (3,068 total)

Kitsume sighed as she switched places with him. Her people could track by blood and would know if death had occurred by the person's blood. It was their way. So she took the pins from her hair and let the mass of brown locks fall to her mid back. With the one, she stabbed it into the mark's heart, coating it in his blood. She whispered as she pulled out the wickedly sharp pins, "all the same, we are dead to the world." She then wrapped the pins in a white cloth that she pulled from between her ample bosom. She then reached and grabbed her staff from the floor along with her small pack. Placing the pins in the pack, very carefully, she harnessed everything on and used the staff as a walking stick.

From there they slipped through the camp really unchallenged as they mounted the horse and rode off towards town. At the town she would dismount and smile offering her hand. "Nice job. If you are ever further north around Mare-Maris. Look me up. The name is Kitten. I can get you a few jobs." After that she blink around the area and look north. "Now to find a way north."She chuckled. "Thank you for your help" Then in the way of the assassin she offered him a farewell, "May you always make your mark" then she started to walk towards the tavern and stopped, turning her head back towards him. "If you prefer, I can buy you something to eat and drink at the tavern." Professional curtsy and friendliness. It was both self-serving and a way to gather information on the other assassin. One never knew when you were given a mark that would be someone you had met.

-314-
+1txp (10/20) 2 rps

As it seemed, the girl offered him work, and beyond that, food and drink. The mounted assassin shook his head as he also waved one of his hands, "No, thank you, Kitten. I have to deliver my marks." He started to move the horse before he paused and looked down at her from the horse- on the way, he had changed back into the black, leather overcoat and hood, with leather gloves and boots. The hood pointed her way as he spook to her calmly, "If you are ever back in Rajeh, look for 'The Hooded One'. May you slay all your marks."

He gave her a bow head before he dug his heels into the horse's sides as he went towards the usual

(inc)