Shield, Pole, and Bow

One thing that Belmont was certain that he did require was a new sword. His old one had been good but, a new one was well in tow if he was going to be causing any kind of effect within the Remnants. So for that reason Belmont headed out into the market place of the city of Mare Maris. But there was an alternate reason, today he knew tat Kitsume was using her day attempting to master her senses over spirits and other such creatures. He was going to test just how good these senses were. His navy blue Remnant uniform made him stand out too much in the crowd, that and standing at the height he did it wasn’t going to be difficult to sense him with rudimentary senses never mind any specialised ones. So today Belmont sported an olive green travellers cloak. It was one that he sometimes wore when winter came about and travel was required. Standing in a case of steel all the time particularly in cold weather was bad. And with winter approaching, he would not look out of place among the merchants also wearing the cloak and hood. Pulling up the hood, he moved into the crowds. Keeping himself low. Not so low that it would be obvious he was attempting to appear smaller than he was. But just in a way that those 2 inches down would make him look just slightly shorter than he was. In this, he was using the girls attention to detail against her.

She was in the city somewhere and if she could find him. Kudos on her. But, he had a feeling that he would be picking her up before she did he. One of the advantages of being a human was that you didn’t give off any spiritual signature. Well except in the cases of magi who used magic, which gave off its own kind of spiritual sense. With a mild shrug past one of the crowd. Belmont entered the Bazaar area, the agreed point of the game. If Kitsume won, then she would be rewarded with a hearty lunch. If she lost. Her weeks wages were forfeit. And Belmont would be seeing perhaps a little more than a new sword. In a corner near a stall for cloth a few children were playing. Belmont moved close and approached standing near. Keeping his voice low he whispered to one of them. “ You, boy...I have a task for you”. The tallest of them ( who only reached to about Belmont’s hip) “ There is a demon in this crowd....but be silent....we do not wish the people to panic...I am here to hunt it...this demon has taken the guise of a woman, roughly this tall”. He discreetly explained to the boy just what Kistume looked like. “

Do you think you and your friends could be brave?...I need help in drawing this creature out...search the market place discreetly, when you see her, wander close and begin talking about a man you saw, a giant of a man wearing blue. Understand?...if she sees you and begins to approach, do not hesitate to run away, however try to pretend you are playing hide and seek with one another, if she has done so....yell hide and seek...I will know your task is complete”. The boy nodded with a mischievous grin on his face. “ Com’on boys we got a quest!”. The children then ran off to find Kitsume. Belmont meanwhile moved from this location to a leather works stall, standing amidst a group of other cloaked merchants.

EXP: 641
PWC:596

Belmont wasn’t quite sure how she was doing ti but doing it she certainly was. Moments after he had heard the boys cry out hide and seek he knew that she’d fell for his plot, he was going to start moving out and towards that noise so he could get her from behind. Teach her a lesson in humility and keeping yourself aware. But it seemed that lesson wasn’t required as from the corner of his eye, he caught her moving towards him. And that’s when luck struck. Or rather her clumsiness seemed to work in his favour. She smacked into someone carrying a pile of furs and as this happened he used this as an opportunity to slip away,. Now Belmont knew that her using spirit senses were out of the question in this, he hadn’t used magic. Sight was unlikely due to the distance between them. Hearing, even less likely. The only other explanation was smell. But even that seemed semi impossible among these crowds. Still he wasn’t willing to take chances on this bet. So he wouldn’t make any assumptions on just what the limitations of those abilities the experiments the metal mage had granted her. In the hustle and bustle. Belmont grabbed one of the merchants from behind, covering his mouth to prevent any noise and dragging him into a secluded corner alley.

Swiftly the Remnant removed his olive green cloak. There were two possibilities. It was his scent. Or the boys had reported just what he had been wearing.. Either way he could take care of it with this. He quickly matted the sweat on his forehead arms and chest. Marking it with his scent. Then he removed the coat from the merchant. And put it on himself. Pulling the hood up, he then moved the unconscious merchant behind a pile of crates and tossed the olive green cloak over him. He knew that it would work if only temporarily. So he had to cover his bases for a second time. Slipping out of the alley as the merchants began to gather around the fur staff to see what the commotion was. It provided him with a good method of escape. Keeping low. He moved down next to the rather aromatic flower stall. This would likely cover up any scent trails he was leaving, and with the new red cloak on, he had also covered the possibility of those boys telling her what he had been wearing.

EXP:453
PWC:414

Quickly her right hand reached out and caught the bundle of fur while she used her left to reach out and catch the young man. "Shit. I am so sorry about that luv. I wasn't looking where I was going. I was trying to find someone." After help steady the young man on his feet, she handed him back the furs and took a good look at him. "You aren't from around here are you? No don't answer that it was merely a rhetorical question. You stand out like a sore thumb." The man must be from a smaller village if he was dressed like this. For a moment the search for Belmont left her mind as the time on their bet ticked by. HE still had to find his weapon. Wait a minute. That was part of the bet, there was only one area of the Bazaar that sold weapons and armor and he would have to go there.

Her mind was back on the tracking him. Perhaps she could get to the top of a building and watch him for him. Using her ability to scent and track with it. If he found the weapon he wanted before she could find him, then she owed him her weeks wages to pay for that weapon. But if she could cut him off at the pass, then she would get a hearty lunch. Outwardly her face got a far off look before shaking her head and looking back at him. She gave him a smile. "The name is Kitsume. I owe you for knocking you, I believe" He was cute in a boyish sort of way. But right now she was on a mission. "What are you doing in town? You seem like someone from the forest not the big city."

294

Though he thought he was going to fall to the ground, Hunter found himself stopping before he would fall over and hit the ground, instead the woman that had bumped him to him managed to catch him and help steady him back on his feet before he would fall to the ground. A soft sigh of relief escaped the young man as he looks to the female and gratefully that the woman had managed to catch him before he fell and also his furs as well. " That's alright. " He murmurs softly as he reaches out and takes his furs back from her as she offers them to him. As she speaks again he listens to her and he was about to answer the obvious question she had asked but before he could she makes the comment not to answer it so he holds his tongue and remains silent for the moment. " Oh.. " He says as he glances down at his cloths for a moment, he had made no attempt to blend in with the people here as this is not where he is form nor was he trying to fit in with everyone, so he did stick out like a sore thumb as she put it given his woodland styled attire. After taking the furs back he slings them back over his shoulder as he looks at the woman that had bumped into him, a soft smile held upon his visage as he looks at her. As he watches her he notices the look on her face before she shakes her head and looks back at him and begins to speak. Hunter listens as she introduces her self and brings up the subject of owing him before inquiring as to why he is here. As she finishes speaking he lifts his free right arm and binges it up, offering his hand to her, " I am Hunter, I come here on business. I'm looking for a merchant to trade with and with any luck to find a new bow. Unfortunately my last one broke.. " he says with a faint nod, his gaze remaining on Kitsume as he thinks upon her comment about owing him.

EXP: 363

So Belmont had successfully hidden himself, now that he had done that the only question that remained was how to get himself over to the weapons dealer without being spotted by Kitsume. No doubt if she couldn't find him she'd stand point guard over at that place and if he had any inkling on the girl would probably start staring downa and searching everyone who passed. He looked around, and thought just what would be be willing to do to sneak his way into a demons comfort zone in order to kill it? The answer was simple. Everything. So once that was dealt with Belmont knew just what he had to do. Grabbing a few things from one of the clothes stores. A simple dress, a wig. Some flowers and a basket Belmont changed his clothing, and put up the hood. Deep enough to hide his clearly male features. The wig providing enough hair show from beneath the hood to fool the outsider looking in. The only issue was with Belmont looking particularly masculine. However that was mostly taken care of by getting a dress a few sizes too large. Sticking his shirt down his top to give the illusion of breasts, his trousers into the basket. And covering them up with the flowers.

He then approached another man, who nearly burst out laughing before Belmont informed him of the same story ( albiet with an excuse for being dressed as a lady) as he had told the boys earlier. This time, he required the man ( who was himself a large and burly fellow, enough to make Belmont look smaller) to accompany him throughout the market as if the two were an item. The man was hesitant. But agreed. So arm in arm the lovely couple strolled towards the weapons stall.

EXP:332

So while Belmont was dressing in drag and figuring out what he would use to get close to a demon. Kitsume was busy figuring out who she would use. And the answer was staring her in the face. This man with the furs, talking about a bow, and then it all clicked and she smiled a bit darker as the idea formed in her head. This man was a hunter, so wouldn't it stand to believe that he would be able to track something or someone. So she came up with a story on in which he would love to help out the chick in distress. "Wow you must be a hunter. Are you good at tracking things?"

After his answer she looked around and softly told him the story, "I need your help then. There is a demon roaming the city. Now don't tell anyone since it would cause a panic, but I am trying to find and capture it for questioning. He has assumed the form of a rather large man, about six and half feet tall, very well built. But remember, Demons are tricky creatures. He may be hiding his appearance as something else, or someone else. Can you please help me? I will help you buy a bow if you can help me find and capture him. He is here to kill one of the weapon dealers. My poor father. I can't bare to have this demon trying to kill my father. And all over the fact he wouldn't sell this demon a sword. Can you believe that" Through out this whole story, her eyes got real big and full of fear and anger. "Please, sir" here is where she turned to begging, "Please help me find him." She gave him the description of Belmont. "And he has these piercing light blue eyes. Only a demon could have these kind of eyes."

322

Since she had not accepted his hand and its gesture he lets his arm fall to his side as he figures people around here must not shake hands that or she wasn't nice enough to accept his gesture. As she begins to speak again he listens to her and gives a faint nod at the comment about him being a hunter. " I would like to think I am... I didn't find these things laying on the ground already dead. " He says jokingly referring to the furs he had. After his answer he watches her as she looks around before she begins to speak again. Listening to her he is a bit surprised as she speaks of needing his help though as she brings up the fact that there is a demon in the village his demeanor begins to shift at the thought of such a thing. Turning his gaze from her he glances around for a moment as he continues to listen to her. He had grown to hate demons and made it his job to hunt them down when he could and kill them. After taking a moment to glance around Hunter turns his gaze back to Katsume as she continues speaking. When she asks if he could help her he gives another nod knowing he couldn't pass up something like this, not only because it was a creature that he hated but also because his kind heart drove him to want to help this woman. Not only was this demon in the city but as it turns out it was after her father, it was always like the damn creatures to be after someone and always causing pain and suffering in someone's life. Like her eyes, Hunters burned with flames of anger, an anger that had burned within him for sometime now and not even the death of a single demon could stop the anger. As she finishes giving him the description of the demon he will be hunting, Hunter gives a faint nod as a soft smile takes form on his face, despite the anger that ranged within him, " I will hunt this demon for you Katsume. Where is your father's shop at? "

EXP: 374

So here he was, dead man walking through the streets arm in arm with a large burly man. He’d been wise in his pick of who to go with, the size comparison to the two would make it far easier to believe that he was actually a woman, particularly at a distance. They approached the weapons shop from a tactical stand point, Belmont had a rough idea of Kitsume;s line of thought at this point, and knew that she could likely be predicting moves of his, so he would have to think one step ahead and predict her predictions. Logically the next move that Belmont would plot would be involving some kind of a distraction in order to move the crowd, blocking the stall from sight and allowing him to move in without problem. Belmont moved his head over to the Blacksmiths ear and whispered. “ Shout out that there’s a demon in the crowd and point in the direction of the centre”. The man next to him nodded. And then yelled at the top of his lungs. “ DEMON!!!”. The crowd turned at the bellow of the man whilst Belmont slipped into the crowd disappearing. The crowd in the market began to scream and scatter, running in every and any direction from the demon that was supposedly within the market place.

Meanwhile taking advantage of the chaos as cover, Belmont moved from his position next to the Blacksmith’s stall. Then, sneaking from the side of the tall to behind it, he began to browse the wares of the blacksmith. He eventually found what he was looking for. A plain dull as door nails long sword. Of course there were gilded ones, gold handled and pretty. But any master swordsmen knew that the best sword didn’t look pretty, it did its job. He picked it up, and the blacksmith emerged from the back looking at him . “ What are you doing here theres a demon in the market!”. Belmont raised his hand. “ How much is this sword?”.

EXP:366
PWC:339

Barter roll

The member 'Jack' has done the following action : Dices roll

'[ Novice ]' :

"His stall is this way" She said as she reached down and grabbed his hand and began to pull him towards the blacksmith stall, that was when she stopped and point to the stall, "there is his stall. So we have to look very closely and watch for him. Thank you so much your help." As the approached the area of the stall, someone yelled demon and a riot began. The crowd started to move in all directions trying to get away from the area. She held onto the hunter's hand and arm as she tried to get around people to the blacksmith stall. Eventually she was forced to let go of him due to the crowd, and she yelled over the crowd, "Don't fall for it. This is the demon's way of causing chaos in order to get to my father. Get to the blacksmith shop and don't let anyone enter, especially from the back. He'll go in through there most likely." then she was gone in the sea of people.

Using the crowd she moved to the edge and then used the side of stall to haul herself up on top of the wooden roof. Quickly she ran along the roof of the connecting stalls until she came to the blacksmith. By this time, if Hunter was any good, he would be around back right as Belmont entered so he would be able to see the red cloak of the big "lady" entering the blacksmith shop. Kitsume would drop down the front and use the awning of the shop as a swing. Her hand gripping it until she was able to slip into the open door way. She would fling herself inside and land on her feet just as Belmont was asking how much the sword would be. "I guess you win. Seriously Sir" she asked the blacksmith, her body leaning over to look at the sword Belmont had picked and at the same time showing off the clevage from her V like neck line. "How much is it, since I have lost the bet and my commander here has made it here before me."

361
+1txp (10/13) 2 rps

The member 'Kazakura' has done the following action : Dices roll

'[ Novice ]' :

Hunter glances down at there hands as she takes hold of his hand and begins to lead the way towards her father's shop. As he followed behind Kitsume Hunter held onto her hand firmly but made sure not to squeeze her hand, not wanting to hurt the woman. As she comes to a stop he stops next to her and looks in the direction she is pointing as he gives a faint nod as she informs him that the stall she is pointing at is the one her father is at. Good, now that he knew where it is he knew where he needed to be waiting in ambush for his prey. Why would one spend time hunting a target and perhaps miss the target when the target they are after is going to a location that it can be intercepted at, at least this is what Hunter thought. Hunter sets his gaze upon the stall as he moves with her, though as he hears someone yell out about a demon he wanted to pull free from her grasp and go find the demon however she had a firm grasp on his hand and arm, preventing him from doing anything aside from following at her side. When they are forced to finally break apart due to the crowed Hunter shifts his gaze and trys to keep sight of her though he knew he had a demon to hunt but as she yells out to him he listens to her and her comment draws a frown to his visage. She was right, demons where tricky things that would seek to casue chaos amungst the people to further there own ends.

With this in mind driving him on, Hunter would begin to push his way through the crowed as he moves towards the blacksmith stall. Hunter pushes his way through the crowed and to the stall and as he comes up to the back of the stall he notices a rather large woman going into the blacksmith shop, however everyone was running away from a demon but this woman didn't seem to be showing signs of fear. Seeing the rather large woman entering into the very place he was tasked with getting to, Hunter quickly follows after her and makes his way into the blacksmith shop. Slipping into the blacksmith shop Hunter reaches back into his cloak where his quiver rests and takes hold of the bone handle of the knife resting with his quiver and pulls the blade free from its leather sheath and brings it around in front of him, " Drop the sword demonic bastard, and get on your knees. " Hunter says to the 'female' who had picked up the sword.

EXP: 464

The sword was good, and as Kitsume arrived she seemed to resign herself to the fate that had been handed out to her. That is the fate that involved an empty stomach. but he wasn't going to say much about that, merely admired the sword in front of him. It wasn't until the other one butted in that Belmont began to grow concerned with such things. Someone had drawn a weapon on him, a knife. A toothpick of weapons but still a weapon in itself. And here Belmont was holding a weapon of death. Ready, willing. And able to use it. He looked up at Kitsume. " As greatful as I am for you keeping your side of the agreement girl, it doesn't seem like your pet here has understood your words". He looked back at the boy holding the knife. " I assume he is your pet?....doesnt make much sense as to why he's holding that knife otherwise". Belmont pointed the sword at Hunter and stared at him with those pale blue eyes. " Drop the weapon boy, I'm no Demon. Far from it. I'm Commander Belmont of the 26th Regiment, the Remnants". He shook his head.

" And I bow to no man, drop the knife. Or I'll remove the hand thats holding it".

He tilted his head to the side. Looking up at Kitsume, then back at Hunter. Deciding just what to do at this point in time. Kitsume had involved a civillian and an unstable one by the looks of it. Just what was this boys game? He had to wonder.

EXP:274

Kitsume's hand reached up and placed the palm to the forehead as she mentally shook herself. She looked beyond Belmont to the young man and smiled prettily. "He is right. He's not a demon. I'm sorry, luv. I was trying to pass a test and failed. Miserably. Please forgive me. But you are fast and I thank you for your help." then she looked toward Belmont and back to Hunter. A light bulb clicked in her head as she shifted her gaze between them. "Perhaps in return for using you like that, I can offer payment of some kind," Her eyes glance at the knife and then back to the young man's face. "Perhaps a better weapon. I'm already having to buy Commander Belmont's here because I lost." Then she moved up beside Belmont and leaned up to whisper in his ear, "He found you before me, he's fast and by his speech he hates spirits as much as we do. His eyes burned with a inner hatred when I told him a Demon was going to be attacking" When she leaned, she had to get up on her tip toes with a hand on his shoulder for balance. His height at almost six and a half feet tall versus her barely over five feet. Made it look rather obvious she was speaking to him in private. After she finished whispering, she let herself back down on her feet and smiled to the young man. Her slender hand came up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Really I am sorry I lied, but it was a training exercise, that I failed miserably. I hope I can make it up to you.

290
+1 txp (10/15) 250 exp

Hunter glances past the man and to Kitsume for a moment once she had arrived before he turns his gaze back to the man as he waits for him to comply with his command and get on his knees. As the man he is after begins to speak Hunter listens to him and begins to grow confused at what the man is saying, referring to him as Kitsume's pet of all things, which is something he is not. With his gaze set on the male still, when he pointed the sword Hunter's grip on his knife tightened as he begin to tense up as he got ready to defend himself and fight back if such a thing where required. Though the man had ordered him to drop his knife, Hunter didn't comply with such an order. Hearing Katsume speak, Hunter shifts his gaze for a brief moment to look back at her as she now retracts her statement about him being a demon. Turning his gaze back to the male Hunter continues to listen to her and he didn't know what to make of it all but it sounded as if she was using him to pass some test of hers. He didn't like the fact that he had been used by Katsume and she had toyed with him and got him to believe that there truly was a demon here threatening the people. The expression upon his face begins to shift into a frown as he looks at the two before fixing his gaze on Katsume as she speaks of offering him payment in return for what she had done. And now she thought she could win him over by offering to buy him something to pay him back for what she had done? Indeed he knew he needed a new bow, however he didn't like the fact that he had been used by her like some kind of tool so she could pass her test. He watches as she moves over to the male he had been hunting and raises up before she begins to speak with him, though in a whisper, he could still tell that she was talking since the male was so large in comparison to her and even him. Finally Hunter begins to lower his knife, there was no need for it and as such he brings it down and around behind him before he slips it back into its sheath. As he sheaths his knife he takes a few steps back from the two and shifts his gaze back to Katsume as she speaks to him once again. " I cannot let your lie go Katsume, I do not like being used in such a manner. You have damaged any trust that I had in you Katsume and if you truly wish to make it up to me then you will have to work for such a thing. " Turning his gaze from her he would look to the male, " Forgive my actions sir, I was under the impression that you where a demon. " Hunter would say, bowing his head faintly after the apology.

EXP: 511

" Your apology is accepted boy, and your bravery is noted. Facing up to a demon with no fear is not a simple task".

He would praise the vim this one showed in facing him down, the knife hadn't dropped until he had realised that indeed Belmont was a human. However Kitsume seemed to have more to say to him on the matter. Belmont however was more concerned with removing the dress that he was currently wearing. He dropped the basket of flowers and used the sword to cut the dress open neck to two. The cloth falling down uselessly on the floor revealing his navey blue Remnant uniform. He pulled down the hood of his cloak and then added another few words of wisdom to the mix. " However, Kitsume owes you no debt that I see, only a fool places trust in a complete stranger. She used what advantages she had to win, and rather than be chastised this should be praised". Belmont nodded over to the female. " Well done". His eyes then travelled back to Hunter. " Let that be your lesson in that, when it comes to fighting spirits. One must do everything in their power to win, having morals or honour only holds us back from doing what is absolutely neccisary". Belmont still had his weapons. And collecting the leather sheath from the blacksmith. Tied it to his back. Placing the longsword within.

" Despite not winning. You show further promise. I will reward you will lunch after all".

It was a small bit of praise from her commanding officer. One that he hoped would plant the seeds for further attempts to impress him. Kitsume had lots of promise. However there were a few things that held her back significantly. However the dead man felt that she would be able to overcome these with time, time and training. Next his attention returned to Hunter. He hadn't seen the boy in combat yet but he proved that he had at least the will to fight demons. But did he carry that inherit hatred? Perhaps. This would have to be tested. There was a possibility that Kitsume had actually done more than simply work her feminine wiles to her advantage. She could have brought them a new recruit. " Since you are not versed in our ways however. I must make up for the lost honour Kitsume has visited upon us. You may join us in taking Lunch if it is your wish".

[[Belmont obtained Longsword]]

EXP: 459

At this point, Kitsume's stomach growled and she smiled that hungry smile that could have also meant mischief if one was not versed and schooled in the petite woman's facial expressions. Then she chuckled. After He had finished with his weapons she paid the merchant and smiled prettily to him. Then she leaned her back against Belmont's side, still trying to get a rise out of him in some form or another. Before he could tell her anything about being on duty, she would simply state to forestall these comments, "Not in uniform, not technically on duty." And since Belmont had been around her long enough, he would know that she only used technicalities when it would benefit her directly.

"I almost had you though. Oh and I figured out something. I could track your scent. Even under all of those scents of the bazaar, I could still smell yours." Most people might think that she was saying that he stunk, or be offended, but she just meant it the way it sounded. It was something new that she had learned and that was the true lesson anyways. But then he invited the boy for lunch and she blinked. Hmm. so much for getting a rise out of him today. It was harder to break the ice shell around him when there were others present. He tended to use them as shields.

Belmont was perfectly right though, she was just trying to be nice. He was always coming across, cold and unfeeling, and rather like an ass. But she was more towards trying to be nice and for lack of a better term, cuddly. So unless he moved, she would remain leaning against him and looking at the boy. "Sorry, my honor went out the went window when I figured lunch was going to be skipped again."

-334-
+1txp (10/16) 250 exp

Lifting his head Hunter looks to the man as he speaks, glad that his apology had been accepted by the man. As the man begins to remove the dress Hunter shifts his gaze from him, glancing to Katsume for a moment before shifting his gaze from her as well. As the man begins to speak again Hunter turns his attention back to him a soft frown taking form on his face as he listens to the man. He shifts his gaze to Katsume as she is praised for what she had done, though in his eyes she deserved no such praise for what she had done. As the man continued to speak Hunter didn't give much attention to what he had to say, his mind shifting back to the task he had came here to do and as he turns his thoughts back to what he had come here to do he comes to realize he no longer had the fur's he had been carrying. Shifting Hunter turns his back to them and glances around the shop, his gaze carefully shifting as he scans the area for the furs he had with him, however they where not in sight. Bringing a hand up to his face, Hunter rubs the bridge of his nose as he slowly draws in a deep breath before exhaling slowly, " I knew coming here was a bad idea.. " He murmurs lightly to himself as he comes to the conclusion that he must have dropped the furs during all the chaos when the threat of a demon was thrown about so carelessly by these two. He held little hope that he would find them once again and knew he had lost his chance at trade here. Turning to look at the two again, Hunter shifts his gaze to the male, an obvious look of stress upon his face, " .... Well it seems one of the reasons I am here has just fallen through and that leaves only finding a new bow, so I see no reason why I couldn't take you up on your offer of lunch. " Hunter says to the man, accepting his offer in the hopes that perhaps he can at least get something good at of this troublesome venture into Mare Maris.

EXP: 379

The boy still seemed upset by Kitsume’s actions despite Belmont’s explanation as to why her actions were perfectly fine. Then again the thoughts of dead men tended to be slightly different from the thoughts of those who still considered themselves alive. Ideas like honour were useless to him, merely a code of ethics that held you back from doing what was required. Still, at this point in time the dead man began to notice a small weight leaning on him. His eyes glances to his side as he saw Kitsume leaning against him. But the movement of his eyes would be all the reaction to this she would get out of him. Whilst it was strange to him that the girl was leaning against him, he thought that it may have simply been out of fatigue. He was as strong as any wall around here, Kitsume by comparison wasn’t that big and if she was tired leaning on him would not have been a stretch.

“ Very well, we shall go for lunch then”.

Determining that if his trainee was indeed so fatigued that she could barely stand without his support he would use his strength to help her to the restaurant. With that established he made a move to pick her up and carry her over his shoulder. It was at this stage ( whether or not she allowed the grab) he would comment on her note about being able to smell him. “ Interesting”. He said. But then again, he had already guessed that may have been a possibility. “ Yes, I thought it may have been the case when I saw you moving towards me despite my distraction and disguise...it will be most useful in the future I am sure for when you are hunting those vile creatures”. Belmont was headed towards a nearby tavern that the military men frequented. He was a particular fan of the soup there. Upon thinking that. His mind drifting back to his first encounter with the cyborg.
EXP:365
PWC:338

As he turned to grab her, she ducked under his arm and sidestepped him using her quick reflexes to avoid his grasp. She blinked at him. Then she chuckled as she turned on her heel and strolled out the door. Before actually stepping out of the door, she smiled to the boy (hunter) and spoke, "If you need a new bow, this is not the merchant you are looking for." Then she was the first one out. While she waited for the men to exit she leaned against the side of the building and watched the people walk by. The boy was good, but the question remained was why did she bother? For the simple reason that he may be of Remnant material all though the whinniness would have to be beaten out of him. As Belmont exited, she stepped away from the wall and fell into step alongside him. "By the way, luv. That was a nice dress, just not your color." She teased him as the walked towards the tavern that the military men frequented. She glanced behind them to see if the kid was following, if he was, she'd drop behind them and let them walk next to each other. Constantly her eyes would keep track of the crowd around them.

As they enter the tavern, her eyes would scan the crowd like they always do. She was looking for the other Remnants. Just to be on the safe side, she like to know where help lay in case of a fight. Although, she could take a few of them on the training field herself. Briefly she wondered at their thoughts to her being the commander's tag a long. But it was only brief and more out of curiousity than anything else.

-307-
+1txp (10/17) 250 exp.

As he hears the comment from Katsume he glances to her for a brief moment and gives a faint nod, " I do hope you still intend to provide assistance when I go to get a new bow, I lost my furs thanks to you and your friend here. " He says with a soft sigh before he begins to follow after them. Making his way out of the blacksmith Hunter shifts his gaze around for a brief moment before he begins to move after the two. At first Katsume was ahead with the large man but for some reason she falls back behind him, though he didn't give it much though as he continued to move forwards after the large man since he seemed to know where he is going. He made no attempt to catch up with the man and follow at his side since he was not required to. Hunter follows after the man as he leads the way and into the tavern. Upon entering into the tavern Hunter shifts his gaze for a moment to glance around the establishment, scanning the area and taking in the layout of the place before he turns his attention back to the man as he waits for him to find a place to sit since he was the one that seemed to be leading the way.

EXP: 223

Again with the whining. Or was it just that he genuinely wanted a new weapon and that those furs were his only means of doing so? Perhaps one. Perhaps the other. Perhaps a bit of both. As for Kitsume she had skillfully eluded his grasp again. But it wasn't something that he particularly cared about. If she could walk on her own then she was free to. It saved his strength. Particularly if the metal within her flesh added to her weight, which he imagined it just might do. Unless of course there was some other trick to it that he couldnt yet imagine. She then made a comment about the dress he was wearing being nice. Belmont struck back with one of his own rebuttles. " Indeed. Perhaps I should buy you one, perhaps you would fit into womens clothes more comfortably than I do". It was a sort of sexist remark. But then that was as close as anyone was going to be getting to humour from the dead man. Commenting on Kitsume's male sense of dress +1 points to him.

He led the group to a table on the western most side of the tavern and took a seat. It was a four seater so likely Hunter would wind up sat next to him or Kitsume. He didn't much care which. The waiter approached and Belmont ordered a pint of ale, along with the soup of the day for starters, a steak, rare for main course. And a chocolate and caramel spounge for dessert.

EXP:270

Most people would have been hurt by the dress comment but Kitsume just blinked and looked down at her skirt, then glanced back up at Belmont. "Belmont, luv. Is your eyesight going in your old age. I'm wearing a skirt. And if you are referring to my uniform. Then it's the one you issued me." It had stung a bit but she would not let that take over her emotions. She had always thought she dressed feminine and showed off her slender figure. But now that Belmont hadn't even registered that she had been wearing something that was not her uniform, she sighed as the continued on their way. She was silent while in her thoughts. So she looked masculine that was a blow to her ego, but she didn't let it show.

She only spoke up to order from the waiter, "I'll take the rabbit stew and the honey mead." She sat across from Belmont and avoided touching him. Which was odd, since usually she would have taken the chance and sat near him. Now she was just scanning the crowd, keeping her thoughts to herself. Those here had already began their day of drinking and the off duty personal was minimal. So most of the patrons of the tavern at the moment were normal population of the city.

If the kid sat next to her, she would offer him a simple smile and then continue to just let him and Belmont talk while she studied the people of the tavern. Strange for the moment she was awfully quiet.

-277-
+1txp (10/18) 250 exp.

He remained silent as he followed the large man into the taven and across the taven over to where he picked out a table and once a table had been chosen by the man Hunter would slip into an empity seet which happen to place him right next to Katsume. After having taken his seat at the table Hunter looks to the waiter for a moment as his mind draws up a blank as to what he would have to eat given he had never been here before. Having been put on the spot Hunter thought for a brief moment before he finally speaks up, " I'll take a steak and salad if you can and some water. " He says with a faint nod as he looks at the waiter. Turning is attention from the waiter, Hunter glances to the large man Belmont for a brief moment before he shifts his attention to Katsume. As he turns his attention o her he sees the smile and returns the gesture with his own smile, though he wondered if she was going to live up to what she said before when she had asked him for help or if such a thing had been lost now that they where here and past events had transpired. Shifting his attetnion from her, Hunter leans back into his seat and begins to relax as he lets out a soft sigh. Turning his gaze to Belmont since he seemed to be the man in charge Hunter speaks up, " So, you and Katsume hunt demons? " Hunter asks as he looks at Belmont.

EXP: 266

Now how had he not noticed that?

One of lifes great mysteries perhaps he had previously been too caught up in remaining unnoticed himself that he accidently sacrificed his perception to detail. Well that would have to be remidied. It didn't take long for them to bring over their drinks and Belmont brought his pint to the lips, saovuring the taste for a moment. A good grain ale. Cheap but tasty. It was one of the few places in Mare Maris he could trust for good quality food service and drink. Kitsume had sat herself with the boy Hunter, not that Belmont much minded, if he was more perceptive to her feelings or indeed. The fact that she was a woman. Then perhaps he would have identified that he had hurt her feelings.

However Belmont had assumed that, much as he said with Hunter. Kitsume being a Remnant would take that comment as a Remnant. Not to heart. To let it slie off her like water off a smooth pebble. But sometimes, he would forget that she was still a trainee. And even in training he had had his doubts about their beliefs. Hunter then propped up with his question.

"Do we hunt Demons? hunt would be too weak a word".

Belmont took another sip. " And, its not just demons". That was a little known fact about the Remants, that it wasn't just demons they got rid of. " We exterminate spirits....Oni....Kami....Hybrids...Spirit tainted people...".

EXP:276

The soup was brought out to Belmont at the same time as he was speaking. Kitsume brought the mug up to her lips again and sipped on the mead. She loved the honey mead. Ale was alright, if one was drunk, but she was fond of the flavored wines and mead. Ale was a bit too much like drinking horse piss for her tastes. Her eyes alighted to a man entering the door and instantly the hair on the back of her neck rose. There was something different about this one, something out of the normal. She felt like she knew the man from somewhere. And her eyes tracked him across the room to the bar. If looks could kill hers would since she could not place him.

Belmont's words made her look back to the two men, everything was forgotten as it suddenly dawned on her. "Malathorn" She whispered as she looked back up and blinked. The man was gone. Her eyes darted about the room and her body looked ready to jump for the door. The Man had been wonderfully handsome, with a scar over one eye. The scar she had given him. It would be visible in any form the demon took. The only sad thing about this demon was he could shift his signature to fly low on the radar. "Speaking of demon hunting, Sir. You just..."

At this moment the waiter brought out the main course and handed a sealed letter to Kitsume. and spoke, "From the gentleman at the bar" When the waiter looked and pointed to the bar, there was no one there. "Well he was at the bar" Kitsume growled and whispered, "Damn him." Then tore open the seal of the letter. Her eyes scanned the letter and a frown appeared on her delicate face followed by disgust. After finishing the letter she tossed it on the table and took a deep breath.

If Belmont or Hunter picked up the letter it would read,

My dearest Kitsume,

My how time flies when you are immortal. Do you still morn the loss of Greymane?
I know how much he meant to you. Such a loss that the attack hit him instead of you.
Have you bedded the bull you are with yet? Of course not, he's a dead man. And a
whore never beds a dead man. I still dream of you and that night on the beach. You
gave me such a wonderful gift, and every time I look in the mirror I see it and remember
you. I have been in your city and you have not even noticed, my dear. Can you still find
me I wonder, I killed you once, love, and I can do it again. Can you stop me before I
fill my lustful appetites on the innocents of this city? Most likely not. Each woman I take,
and break and kill, I will be thinking of you.

Malathorn

-504-
+1txp (10/19) 2 rps

After the question Hunter shifts his attention from the male and looks to his drink as they finally arrive. With his attention on his cup he reaches out and takes hold of it before he lifts it from the table and brings it to his lips and takes a sip of its contents. As Belmont begins to speak again Hunter lifts his gaze back to the man and listens to him. While listening to Belmont explain what he and Katsume do, Hunter takes another sip from his cup before he sets the cup down and gives a faint nod as he thinks over what the man is saying. It seemed as if the two, or three, had a common task between them as Hunter tended to kill demons and even kami when he could find them, though he hadn't given much to hunting others aside from the two. When he hears Katsume speak up Hunter glances to her for a brief moment, wondering what she meant though before he could say anything the waiter showed up with the food they had ordered and such a thing caught Hunter's attention and caused him to glance to the waiter before glancing to Katsume as he hands her something before beginning to speak. Shifting his gaze, Hunter looks towards the bar for a brief moment before he returns his gaze back to Katsume as he wonders what the waiter was talking about and what the letter is about, though he knew such a thing probably didn't have anything pertaining to him and it was non of his business.

EXP: 279

Whatever ws going on Kitsume seemed distracted, the ale however helped Belmont appear normal whilst otherwise just studying her features. And then came the letter. She read it and seemed even more distressed. As her commanding officer. He felt as if any news that could upset her in such a way was something that he needed to involve himself in. So he picked up the letter. And read. From what he could gather, the dead man was himself. The bull, he didn't quite know. Perhaps someone that she had been training with. ( Obliviousness to her advances was one of his strong suites apparantly). But what he did get from the letter were the words. Immortal. And speaking of gifts given on a beach. Of dreams of Kitsume. Speaking of how he had apparantly killed her. How could he have killed her if she was alive right now in front of him. If this man was immortal. That meant spirit. And if Kitsume had-. Belmont looked up. And placed the letter down on the table carefully.All emotion drained from his face. Putting the flask of ale down. He reached out from his belt, and drew a dagger. Plunging it into the letter and into the wooden surface

" Kitsume. There are some Remnants I know that would have executed you based on assumptions alone. I am not one of these men".

He gestured to the letter. " This immortal, is he a spirit?...and if so...have you been tainted by him?...".

EXP: 278

She focused on him and as he slammed the knife into the letter the soup and stew sloshed around, and the ale spilled on the table with the force behind it. Her eyes narrowed at him, "If I had been tainted by him do you think I would have applied? I asked you the night after I completed my test to kill me instead of being tainted. Do not go on assumptions, Commander" The word, commander, was nearly spit out. Rarely did she use that title with him. She was agitated and was just about to stand up and get ready to defend herself when she took a deep breath and calmed herself. By this time most of the remaining patrons had scattered leaving only other remnants in the tavern. A few others had weapons drawn ready to slaughter.

Kitsume glared around the tavern at them daring them to try it. Even the waiter and bartender had cleared out for the moment. She glanced back to Belmont and the glare followed. "Let me explain. This is the full truth. Greymane was the name of the man who took me in 18 and half years ago. Him and his clan took me in. They were spirit hunters but more than just that. They were also assassins." her voice lowered to a whisper as she looked to the boy and glared. Someone, one of the remaining remnants whispered in shock, "shinobi" and she whipped her head around and glared at the man. If he told anyone this, she would kill him. But then she looked back to Belmont and the truth was there on her face. "Yes, shinobi. I was trained by Greymane and he was like a father to me. We got a contract to go after an Incubus, a demon of lust, that was draining the women of a village dry, of all their energy. Killing them with their lusts. So we went. Greymane and I. Figuring that was all it would take. It was a trap."

She took a breath and continued on. "Malathorn's demonic tainted allies, wiped out the entire clan from infants to the elders, while we were going to kill him. He led us on a merry chase during all of this and escaped. Greymane and I went back to the clan holdings and found every single one of the slaughtered and burned. tortured and half devoured. It was not a pleasant sight. Malathorn sat on the roof of Greymane's house and laughed his glee before warping away. The worst thing is that Malathorn has the ability to alter his spiritual signature. Greymane could not even sense him. So we vowed to kill him and tracked him from the forests to the edge of the land. And in the middle of the night we cornered him on the beach. We fought his minions, killing them, and then he appeared. Malathorn ended up killing me, but Greymane was an elder and knew of a way to resurrect the dead. He did so that night and I recovered slowly in a hut on the beach. Greymane decided to go after him alone, but while he was gone, Malathorn came back in the middle of the night. He tried to rape me, mind you I said tried. But I fought him off, giving him the scar over his right eye with my knife, that was when Greymane showed up to help. We fought and just as Malathorn used his dark magic to try to kill me a second time, Greymane lept in front of me taking the full blast. He died in my arms as Malathorn laughed and came at me. A well aimed throw of my knife caught him in the heart. I thought he was dead, I watched him die, but apparently I didn't finish the job. The gift he is speaking of on the beach is the scar I gave him."

She watched him and pulled the knife from the table and handed it to him hilt first. "If you do not believe me, then kill me now. I wont stop you, Commander. But that demon will kill until he is stopped. The deaths of those that I considered family, hurt, but I got over that hurt a long time ago. I just can't stand for him to still be alive. I have not ever been tainted by a spirit, nor will I ever suffer it." With that she got up and moved to his side of the table, kneeling before him, she offered him her neck to slice. "If you kill me, do it quick."

-787-

As the dagger is sank into the table Hunter quickly shifts his attention to Belmont as he lets his hand fall to his side as he reaches around into his cloak, reaching for his own weapon though he stops himself as he listens to the man as he begins to speak. Hunter still didn't know what was going on with the letter and the two though he remained silent and listened as he brings his hand back up to rest on the table. Shifting his gaze from Belmont, Hunter looks to Katsume for a moment as he wonders what in the world is going on and if he has gotten himself drug into something he didn't want to be drug into. With his gaze still on Katsume, Hunter listens as he begins to speak of her past to Belmont. Hunter remained silent with his gaze fixed upon Katsume as he listened to her story of her past. As she begins to speak of how the clan that took her in was whipped out Hunter couldn't help but think back to what had happened in the village he was raised in. Due in part to his nature and soft heart, as he listened to her Hunter couldn't help but feel some form of connect and the desire to help her. Unfortunately such a thing was in his nature, the desire to help those who need it, the weak and those who cannot defend there selves.. Around him with in the world Hunter could see that such a thing was rare in his species and wondered why he had such a traits instead of being like the others of his species that only looked out for themselves. When she reached for the knife and pulled it from the table, Hunter thought that he would have to draw his own weapon incase a fight broke out, though he hoped such a thing wouldn't happen. Hunter shifts his gaze and follows Katsume as she went to the ground, moving onto her knees. Looking at her a frown took from on the humans face as he finally breaks his silence, " Wouldn't she be of more value and use alive rather then dead? " he asks as he looks to Belmont.

EXP: 385

Kitsume's anger much like before washed off Belmont like water off a smooth stone surface. He was emotionless. Dead. What the knife was for, was for his duty. Nothing else. Remnants held a firm belief that spirits had to be killed. But it didn't stop with spirits. Hybrids and anyone else who carried a spirits taint. This included those who willing, or unwilling. Had laid with a spirit. Those were tainted just as much as the hybrids. And it was a Remnants duty to put them down, like a master puts down a mad dog. It was one of the tests, one of the tests that Kitsume would soon have to pass. She would have to kill a hybrid child. And its mother. Belmont didn't know if the others had already captured a suitable pair for this kill. But when the call came. He would take Kitsume to be tested. His eyes didn't break from her as she told her story of training and of demons. This Malathorn. As she finished her story. Belmont withdrew the dagger from Kitsume's hands, what he was going to do. Not yet known. Right up till he sheathed it. " Well then". He said simply.

" I suppose we have ourselves a demon to kill".

Belmont looked at Hunter as he asked his question. The boy didn't understand the ways of the Remnants. He thought that even if Kitsume had been tainted then it would be better to use her alive than to kill her. But that was not the way of things. " Tainted people come in two forms, those that open themselves to spirits are the worst of them. To tolerate their acceptance is not our way, if we are to wipe them from our realm then such tolerance for their kind cannot be allowed. Those who have themselves forced upon. It is a mercy, there was a time when the spirit ravaged would come to us, and we would use their hatred....but then...the elder Remnants Grave Senses developed to a new level in which they could see the taint left by spirits upon those they had touched....that taint is an ugly thing corrupting the soul, changing it so they say...to kill these people, is to free them". Belmont's eyes returned to Kitsume who he felt he may have offended by his question. But it was a question that needed to be asked.

" If he masks his spiritual presence then my Grave Senses will not be of much use, however.."

He held up the letter. " If you could track me by my scent. Then surely you can get his from this letter".

EXP:472

She watched him, her impossible blue eyes looking into his own as he drew the knife from her hands. She waited for the killing blow with courage. But it seemed he believed her. Because it was the truth. For some reason, something stopped her from lying to him. But she shook that off as the man who had just spared her life continued talking. She was relieved he didn't slit her throat and the rest of the patrons left in the tavern began to get back to their own meals. She rose up back onto her feet as Belmont answered Hunter's question. She moved back and sat in her chair. Her stew was getting cold and she started to eat as he explained. She knew it would be soon that they would set out so she ate quickly, while Belmont spoke. When he held up the remains of the letter for her she blinked at him and chuckled, setting the spoon to the side. "You talk like I'm a bloodhound or something. Yes I could, but we need to be swift." She took the letter and put it up to her nose and inhaled the scent. . Her eyes rolled back into her head as she let the scent sit there for a moment. Almost like she was drinking a dark brandy, it rolled around. Her eyes flew open and she pointed towards the kitchen. "That way." She started to rise and pick up her staff, placing it against her back to the designed holster for it.

-265-
+1txp (10/20) 250 exp

After speaking Hunter fell silent as he looked up at Belmont and when the man begins to speak Hunter listens to his response. As he listened to the male Hunter came to realize that he did not hold the complete beliefs that these people did. He was not a killer who went around killing those who did not deserve such a fate, he had blood on his hands but he was not one to shed the blood of the innocent, no such a person deserved to be protected from those that would do them harm. Unlike these people, Hunter's hatred did not rest with anything other then oni and there opposite the kami so he had no reason to do anything to those that are half-breeds, unless they deserve such a fate. As the man finished speaking Hunter gives a faint nod as he thinks over what Belmont has told him, his attention shifting from the male back to his food. Turning his attention back to his food, Hunter picks up his knife and fork and begins to enjoy his food as he remains silent, thinking over what Belmont had told him as he listens to them while he enjoyed his food. He only managed to enjoy a bit of his food before he heard Katsume as she begins to raise from her seat after speaking up. Lifting his gaze he looked up at the female as she raises from her seat and grabs her staff.

EXP: 255

Updated Kitsume
Updated Belmont

Job Roll

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'10 (aka Steal) Roll' : 4

Job roll 10/28

The member 'Kazakura' has done the following action : Dices roll

'10 (aka Steal) Roll' : 4