A Cold War (Ant)

[Aello]

Summer 69, 512 AV Black billowed about milky ankles. Cotton shuddering against the subtle breeze that whistled up from the stone-lined brick of a canal. Oars dipping silently as the water rippled against wooden ravosala; a stick to stir the magic cauldron. To propel a softened smile across the lake. Delicate, elongated fingers furled around the smooth edge of a dagger's hilt, concealed within the folds of fabric; a cloak. Thumb idly stroking the line as feet danced across wooden planks, forcing a lithe body, lost in the shadow of the silhouette of monstrous homes, along. But to where, it was difficult to say, for the aurist had no destination in mind. Unless, simply "away" could count as a place to go. For Aello wished to rid herself of the city, of the filth which gathered within, at least for a time. For, as much as she may want, she could not leave quite yet, seeing as she had certain matters of business to attend to. A certain Druvin to visit, a god she loathed to pay back for a favor he had granted. But what favor? Aello did not know, thinking him a god of evil, unwilling to lend a hand to anyone, unless it served him. And she supposed it did. She did. But how?

[Antar]

Boots pounded upon the cobblestones as Antar continued his morning run through the docks. The cadence of his feet only given counterpoint by the evened breaths coming from his mouth as he forced vital air in and out of his lungs. He was dressed only in black leathers, a tight fitting shirt and pants with his kukri and gladius strapped to his back. All for wont of a little protection. But just because he was armed didn't mean he wasn't courteous to the crowds and guards as he passed. Giving a few a slight nod, here and there. When in a city running for exercise wasn't exactly the best thing when one wished to not be noticed. Which is why to ensure one didn't become suspect, one had to make it a routine. To make it expected by the guards that he would pass them and come along during the early hours. Running the same path, over and over again. That's what he had been doing for a few days now. Merely exercising every morning as he meandered his way through the city, taking a route along the canal. He had almost forgotten how fun and challenging the city could be, even now far from the days of him being a street rat running from the guards. Ravok was challenging, simply thrilling for someone to run through the various obstacles. Paths were highly traveled by crowds, meaning that to find open places to run was a tricky challenge. Which is why by the canal's was an amazing thing for him to enjoy. The flitting gondoliers usually had the majority of their boats moored at the various canal accessways, and a few he had spent making acquaintances with waved to him as he passed. Something he returned in kind with a cheeky smile and a wave. One old fellow he knew seemed to smile and, even slow his boat as Antar ran towards the top of trustle, hopping from the ground, to a sidewall, up to the wooden mooring pylong before running and jumping the distance out to land upon an open section of the man's boat. He smiled a quick thanks as gondola lurched beneath them, only to return back to its level in the water as he launched himself to a mooring dock on the other side of the canal. Jogging in place , Noth turned back to yell . "Thanks Bertram." Bertram only gave Noth a slight smile with a wry smirk and shook his head before rowing on. Grinning like a fool, Antar turned around and began to run along the canalway before turning a corner towards the main causeway. One good thing Antar remembered , or perhaps regained from his time here as a child was that the little people always seemed to look out for their own. Only now there wasn't much calls of 'damn meddlesome kids' so long as he maintained his cover as a hunter in the woods. Then all the fun stuff and running just became another bit of training that would be casually be forgone as a passing amusement to the regulars so long as he maintained the regimen. Turning to run across a bridge, he spotted another gondolier in the distance, carrying a hooded traveler as it's passenger. Shaking the thoughts that such an early morning run would lead anywhere, Antar readied himself to pull up the pace. After all, he still had half a circuit to do before his morning run was finished.

[Aello]

How could you help someone without knowing you had? Aello would like to think that it was impossible. But, she knew it wasn't. Her fist tightened around the hilt of her dagger as she sighed with dismay. As the unpleasant thoughts stirred her heart's strings. Pulling them heedlessly, causing the muscle to scream. Pump wildly as blood spewed against the confines of arteries and neon blue and green veins. She could feel them pulsing against the organ, rocking against a bed of paling flesh as the thoughts continued to prod against the edge of her mind. Poking with gnarled, twisting fingers. Widening the gap between the wrinkles, coiled pink. Akin to her intestines which churned as a sense of unease rose within the aurist's heart. Damn this. Damn him, she thought, as she subconsciously quickened the pace. As her aura flared with her anger, bringing pain to all those who attempted to become well read. Well versed in her person. The huntress faltered as her boiled leather soles scraped against loosened nail. Leading her to stumble a few steps as her fingers, grown red with grip's pressure, unfurled. Falling away from the wire hilt of her cursed blade. "Petch," Aello muttered under her breath as she finally righted herself, and continued on her way. Turning, so as to approach the city's outskirts. A boat which may ferry her away for a time. However short and blessed that may be. Despite her heart's longing however, she did not make it far. For she could feel two tiny holes being born into the back of her head. A set of eyes, watching, putting her on edge. Aello turned, trying to follow their gaze, to find only, that it was a man walking. A man of magical smattering, from the look of the aura, which had sprang into view. Some forms coinciding with her own, and others different. Even so, she felt him no great threat, and turned her head back around. But still, the feeling lingered. The notion that she was being watched. By someone that was a threat.

[Antar]

Smiling, the rogue continued his run. After turning a corner he saw a bad sight it seemed. A cloak figure in front of him on the way to the docks had stumbled a little and seemed to be agitated enough to turn around and spot his presence. As if he (or she) was on edge about something. Ever the rogueish gentlemen and playing his part of being out for a run he quickened his pace, and lengthened his stride to catch up to her, coming a good distance to her side as he began to jog in place. Taking only a quick peek out of the corner of his eye to assess what she looked like, nice hair pulled back in a no nonsense cut to her shoulders. And the glimpse of a pair of chocolate brown eyes. He could spot a slim figure in there as well. Smiling disarmingly, Noth spoke a bit. "Are you okay there? I seem to have noted you almost took a tumble there." He let himself show a wry smile, followed by a quick addition of a waggle of his eyebrows. "I wouldn't want you to fall now, even if it was for me." A jovial, if disarming wink followed such a comment, as he was still jogging in place. Trying to show no harm the rogue turned on the charm a little. His mind noting that the top of her head barely reached the center of his chest. "My name's Anthony. What's yours? I jest of course, But what I really want to know is: are you sure you're alright, Miss? " He was just some random person trying to inquire about her health after all. That wouldn't be cause for any trouble or alarm now? ... Right?

[Aello]

Aello's ears prickled to the sound of boots clopping against weathered boards. A body of heat inching closer. Vaporous tendrils wafting from sweaty flesh. Thin spirals circling the air as she glanced back, into pools of molten ice. Irises of a crisp blue shade far weaker than her own. With fair flesh, so as to mirror that which lined her ivory colored bones. He was far taller than she, but even so, she did not fear. "Fine," she grumbled, as he proceeded to make a fool of himself, leading him to turn and face him. Her hands balling into tight fists, knuckles rippling as fingers furled far more tightly than they had before. He hasn't believed a word, Aello thought, as her eyes grazed over his wiry form rather lazily. Best make him believe, she thought, as she bent her right leg at the knee, and thrust it upward and outward rapidly. Intending to bring it up under his body, so as to strike at the mind of his chest, or just below, winding him completely before she put her foot back down on the ground. "See?" Aello sneered. "Just fine," she finished, as her eyes captured glimmers of the sun's rays. Causing them to sparkle as the pupils smoldered with her displeasure. Scarcely hidden from her features, let alone her posture. Rigid. Muscles coiled, forcing her skin to undulate as veins popped. Pulsing ominously beneath her skin. "Anthony..." There was a short silence as the huntress turned from him. The folds of her long dress swaying about her ankles as the leather soles creaked, and boiled leather jostled knobbed bone. A slight wind tousling her hair as her hips swayed with her step, and she proceeded to saunter across the docks. "Aello welcomes you to Ravok," she called, without so much as turning back. He mattered little to her. Her mind having become consumed with her impending meet with Silvas, the Druvin.

[Antar]

Ever the observant one, Antar saw the tension of the woman's muscles and a knee aimed for him. It wasn't the first time a woman had done such at a misunderstood attempt. Especially if they thought it was unwanted flirtation. Pushing off the base of his toes, Antar backed up just enough away and turned his body slightly to take the blow. Even so, it did make him silently bite down on a cough to prevent himself from making a fool of himself in his newest acquaintance's presence. Of course, she had already began to walk away at this point. Smiling even greater, he straightened up to his full height and followed after. Coming to her side he began to jog in place. "Well, I must say Aello is a pretty nice name. But I'm kind of doubting that you're fine at all. I meant no disrespect, and perhaps only seemed to find the thought of cheering you up rather humorous Lil' Lady. So what's say we start over with our introductions, huh?" At least she had a good walk, that was for sure. Her demeanor, well not so well as first impressions go. Smiling the rogue ventured a step or two ahead of her and turned to face her before he began to jog backwards, "My name's Anthony, and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Aello. I also congratulate you on a very nice knee. I wonder, why ever would you react in such a manner to a simple greeting? Are you sure everything's alright?" Keeping a disarming smile on his face, every few seconds he would glance behind his shoulder to ensure he wouldn't trip over anything. Always keeping one eye at his currently irate acquaintance. Perhaps, the fates should have told him to leave this one alone, but something else seemed to keep him going. After all, Aello had done the worst thing to do if she wanted to get rid of him... by attacking him she had sparked his interest. Sadly, Antar was always one to let his curiousity get the best of him.

[Aello]

Once more, the girl's hands balled into fists. Tension rippled against her skin, causing the sheen to grow paler despite the light's reflection off of dark waters. Why doesn't he get it? Aello wondered. How petching dense can one man be? The huntress grit her teeth. She could feel the crowns grinding up against one another as she stepped forward with the right, and then traced the left behind as she raised her hands. Holding the palms flat, taut. She could see her skin rippling as she thrust each limb forward. Hoping to press into his skin, push him back, into the lake. Just past the ravosala man, lazily guiding his craft along the canal. As soon as she had done so, she'd finish her step. Stare at the stumbling. Listen to the splash, watch his eyes, filled with surprise. Perhaps even fear. "Told you," Aello would insist. "Fine," before moving on once more. As though she had a particular destination in mind. "You should learn to mind your own bloody business," the huntress grumbled under her breath as she rounded a bend, turning towards the city's outskirts, as opposed to its heart, which lay in the opposite direction. "Or next time, you may get your stupid arse killed..." In a city such as this, where no one gives a damn.

[Antar]

oocFeel free to manipulate Antar to character. I trust you. When Aello put her hands on his chest, all Antar did was smile disarmingly and raise an eyebrow. "Now there's no need for vio-" When the contact became a shove it sent him pinwheeling backwards, only to fall backwards over the dock and out of her sight... But there was no splash. Not that Aello would hear anyway. What she would hear were a bit of muttered curses as Antar had found himself fortunate to grab upon one of the dock's boatswain ropes. A bit of heavy cordage that was supporting his weight, keeping him from falling into the water. The rogue in him had to smile though, this girl seemed to have a little spunk. That was for sure. The rogue might have even once considered asking her out if he had been single. Or rather walking away right here. But sadly, he was not. It seemed to him that this woman, who was obviously not fine despite what she said was slowly rousing his chivalric side. 'Damn that time Verlynna.' Shuffling down the line, his head would pop back into view for a few moments allowing Aello to see him until he came to a point on the rope where he was perched just below the lip of the canal. At about knee height to Aello who insisted once again on speaking to him. Or was that vice versa at this point, he didn't really know? What he did know was that he could feel the burn in his muscles as he had sidled along. Making him wonder if this was something he could incorporate into his training regimen, it was doing wonders for his pecs. "Told you, Fine." The rest he didn't really hear as he was humming to himself and moving along. The rogue's smile seemed to widen as he snarked back a mile a minute as he caught up to her round the bend, calling from afar to her. "Fine no, I don't think so. Gorgeous yes. But definitely still upset about something there Lil'Lady. But don' worry I'm not really hitting on you, you're perfectly safe talking to me though. I'm not really flirting with you. My girl says I'm only allowed to look at a menu and not allowed to orde-" He cut himself off as she walked away. This one seemed almost as bad as Canali. But at least he didn't have the sneaking suspicion that this woman was training a few wild squirrels to try and ambush him or chew his stone- He cursed as he worked hand over hand. A bit of the rope's roughened bristles had edged itself under his gauntletted fingertips , causing a splinter to enter his skin. But he still made haste to keep pace with the woman. At times shouting "hey' or drawing out lil' Lady' to get her attention as he moved. Going from rope to rope Moving like a sideways crab across the rock , wood and cordage until he caught up with her. Pulling himself upright and back into her view, Antar quipped, "Now I know it's not my business, but you seem to be shouting out for help or something since nothin' draws attention like evasive action. So I might as well make it my business to help you ou-" His words were stopped as her foot came up to be planted on his shoulder as he was still dangling over the lake. Antar gave her his best smile, "Now please be careful to mind the dress, I wouldn't want my girl to have any wrong ideas about me sneaking peeks up another lady's skirts. At least not without her permission to join in at leas-" A shove of her boot sent him off the rope this time and into the water, making the poor rogue look like a drowned fish when he came to the surface. "Hey now, what did you do that for? Ah, nevermind, I'll just go swim to the next entrance up there so we can finish our talk lil' lady. Maybe we can mend whatever bridge made you attack a nice feller instead of just talkin'." So that was what Antar did. He swam stroking out in a somewhat splashy forward stroke towards the nearest stone platforms where the ravisola's docked.

[Aello]

Out of the corner of her eye, Aello could just make out the soft windmilling motion of Antar's arms. Hear his near flailing as he pushed and kicked at the water, so as to remain afloat. Inwardly, she rolled her eyes. How pathetic, she thought as she noted her trailing after her as though he were a lovesick puppy, or some very sick dog. She wheeled on him then, as he pulled himself out of the canal. Her hands were balled into fists, and her muddied irises had widened with the rising level of her irritation. "What part of I'm fine don't you understand?" Aello asked, as she grit her teeth. Letting the words trickle through the spaces of shined pearls, grown slick with saliva. She'd wait an instant. Her eyes searching for something, anything, that would make this make sense to her. But it wasn't there, and it didn't. No matter how much she tried to make it. "Don't you get it? That some people just want to be left the petch alone?" Aello asked, as her eyes followed several transparent beads dangling on the edge of cotton folds. Pooling until they were plump enough to fall through the air silently, before plopping against the docks. Splattering into several tiny orbs, which mirrored the mother, in everything but size and perhaps, unwieldy shape. "Why don't you just move aside unless you want to lose a limb?" Aello asked. "Or perhaps worse, die. Your girl wouldn't like that now would she?" There was a pause. "She can't exactly petch a ghost," and with that, she turned away. Continuing down the path she had chosen to tread.

[Antar]

As Aello turned to walk away, the brogue of the rogue's voice followed after, along with a bit of chiding, if somewhat amused laughter as the rogue treaded water. "Oh, I get it now. Maybe I've figured out something before you? You do realize, that you haven't done anything yet to faze me, right Lil' Lady? Threaten my life, well that's just annoying." He pointed a finger at the woman, "Now if you had threatened a friend or acquaintance of mine that would have been a problem. Then I'd have to wear your guts for garters. Know what I mean?" He let himself pull his torso up to the docks enough just to rest his his head on the crook of his arm, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Let me guess, you really don't understand something about this situation. Why ever, would a total and complete stranger ever have a concern for another in this petching hell hole of a city? I think you already know a few possible responses to that which don't require violence. At least not any violence from you towards anyone in particular taking an interest in you. Perhaps, Lil' Lady. Is that , just perhaps, a stranger's sense of chivalry isn't quite dead? Or maybe that's just what this ghost in my head is saying. What I really want to ask is, why does this little meet and greet seem a little too far outside your comfort zone, Aello? " He paused a moment, seeking to see if some of his words affected her. Ever wary of pushing a woman too far, he was quite certain he could push off in time to stay out of her way. "As an aside, I'd like to point out a flaw in your words: if you notice you're actually mistaken, I've never once blocked your path here or anywhere you've turned. Only been keeping pace as I go along my daily route for exercise... an exercise I think I'll get back too." Calling up to her, he tried to convey an earnest final thought. "Just think though: when people are as upset as you, dear lil' lady, even if they want to be alone, isn't that when they need a friend the most? Especially if their instinct is to push others away at the worst of times. Though I admit, someone acting good naturedly as I have may just annoy someone a bit, it's usually at least understood why by the majority of people. Just think, maybe you'll have an answer why I've acted the way I have the next time we see each other." Leaving that final kernel of thought in the woman's mind, perhaps a naggling doubt as if his words held some greater portent that was not for her to see, the rogue moved on. Noth pushed himself off the docks, swimming down the canal in a backstroke towards the next levee. Just taking the time to hum as he passed through the waters. Splishing and splashing his way down as the muscles in his legs tightened and relaxed with every fluttered kick. Swimming in the canals wasn't the best type of exercise, but it did go along the general route he had taken. Though woe be it for him to inform Aello tha that route was bound to cross her path several more times. 'He' d make sure of it.' he thought as a wry smile graced his lips, ' if only to see what compelled him to act like this in the first place towards the girl.' It wasn't lust, that much was for sure; though she was a pretty thing Antar had already had quite enough of her attitude to note it was a waspish detractor to her overall charm. Why though, why was his own instincts seeming to see a kindred spirit that should be protected? Was it the fact that , well, at least there was a vague resemblance the woman had to his dearly departed younger sister? A girl he had watched die in front of him on the sides of these very canals oh so many years ago? He didn't know. But part of him knew he'd do whatever it took to find out... even if in the end it was just a matter of him helping himself exorcise his own personal demons that this city raised. Until he could say for certain, the rogue would just continue on his merry way. That didn't mean he wouldn't give her space, the next time they were in each other's sight, the burden would be up to her to make any friendly, or unfriendly approach.