Always in the Alleyways (Ephraim)

[Aello]

1 Summer, 511 AV Aello was standing in the center of one of Ravok's narrow alleyways. Her bag and her bow were resting by her feet; only a moment's reach away. She was breathing evenly, in through the nose, and out through the mouth when she first closed her eyes; shutting the sight of the tall wooden buildings that surrounded her out. Shutting out the sight of the lake, and the canals that wove in and out of the city streets. She could still hear water sloshing around, not too far from where she stood, with her feet firmly planted next to one another, on the ground. It must be the water lapping up against the side of the canal, or one of the boats, she thought, as a gentle breeze rolled through the alley way, sending her long brown hair into a series of spirals about her head, before letting it back down. Slowly, Aello raised her hands up over her head, as she took in another breath of relatively fresh, Ravokian air. She held her arms straight, and stretched out towards the sky. The air trickled down her throat and into her lungs; filling them so deeply, that they began to sting and feel tight after a few seconds. It was then that Aello let out her breath, and returned her arms to her sides. Aello repeated this process a few more times, before she opened her eyes and began to walk forward, slowly. She continued to breath in through the nose, and out through the mouth, holding her breath for only a few seconds before releasing it from her lungs with a low sighing sound. As she walked, Aello listened to the sound of her footsteps on the wood. The gentle clicking the heel of her boot made when it hit the ground. Now focus on your steps, how many seconds it takes for you to lift one foot and then place it down on the ground again. How long it takes you to lift the next foot, and start the process all over again, Aello told herself, as she moved her right foot forward. She could feel the muscles that surrounded her knee aching, she could feel small rippling sensations course through her legs. It must be your muscles waking up, she told herself, as she continued on, away from her things, and towards the end of the street. As she continued walking, Aello began to count her steps on each foot. One with the right, she told herself, as she stepped forward with her foot, and now one with the left, she added as she moved on with the other. Now two with the right, another step, two with the left. And now three with the right... Aello continued her count until she had reached twenty steps on each foot; she had come to the end of the street. "Time to turn around," she whispered, as she twisted around abruptly, on her heels. Aello took in a deep breath through her nose, and held it for a few seconds as she stepped forward and resumed her count. When her lungs began to sting, she let it out with a gentle sigh. Everything about this is so repetitive, Aello told herself, but so very relaxing. The gentle clicking of the boot upon the ground... so much so like the sound of a horse on cobblestone. Or perhaps even, like the noise an arrow makes when it is being nocked onto a bowstring. A small smile crossed Aello's lips, it felt like so long since she had last shot a bow; something she so thoroughly enjoyed... perhaps she would find the time to return to her calling... As Aello walked, she would breathe in deeply, before letting out her breath once more. She felt so unnaturally calm, simply listening to the sound of her own steps, the crashing of the water against its confines; against that which tried to cut through it. She could feel her heart beating steadily in her chest; it seemed so very relaxed, a sharp contrast to the constant pounding she had grown used to of late. Her muscles were beginning to relax, although they seemed to tingle from time to time as they became all the more used. As she walked, Aello glanced around at her surroundings, but found there little worth noting- the sun was shining off in the distance, and she was surrounded by the dirty, dark, canal, and tall, wooden buildings of Ravok... same as always. She walked past her bag, continuing her meditation; allowing her body to feel light, despite the quiver that rested in the center of her back; despite the cool metal of the blade that rested against her thigh. There were footsteps coming from behind her... Aello stopped dead in her tracks, and glanced over her shoulder. Had the footsteps been real, or imagined? Was someone coming? OOCA slightly unconventional meditation, but a meditation nonetheless. Um... the alley is a quieter one, so we would be largely undisturbed. As of now... Aello is also about 10 steps away from the rest of her belongings.

[Ephraim]

1st day of Summer, 511 AV The humid air was whisking by his face as Eph ran on the rooftops of Ravok. The half-breed's lungs were filling with weariness and he was slowly loosing his pacing. Didn't matter, it looked like he got away. The mixed blood slowed down to the point of a jog. His breathing was getting heavy and there was pain nestling in his right side. Ephraim stopped at the top of a small, wooden building and looked back. No pursuers. The half-Dhani hissed with a relief. Today no prison for him. Another life's lesson – never try to steal twenty feet away from a guards' patrol. On the bright side, he got a good exercise, though a leap over the canal may cost him a seriously swollen tendon. No living soul was around; Eph slowly made his way toward home. There were no more than three, maybe four alleys left to the inviting bed. His uncle constantly nagged him for help and Eph also tomorrow would have to find a good reason to stay away from work. Actually a swollen tendon could be a good excuse...These thoughts were crowding the half-breed's mind as he traveled from a rooftop to rooftop. Making noises of leather boots hitting the wooden surface. There were few jumps left, a rather big leap but Ephraim had never been a patient one. He picked up his pace and began to run. The young half-breed loved this feeling. It gave him amazing sensation of freedom and power. His feet evenly hit the tiles as he made his way to one of the last jumps, over a narrow dark alley, although his muscles were a flaring with burning pain. One..two..three...Eph tensed his body and leaped on the other side, landing just next to the edge. ”Ha!AAaaaaaaaaaa...!” After a short cry of triumph Ephraim flailed his arms, suddenly losing balance and fell of the rooftop with a hissing shriek. Sometimes odd miracles happen and maybe today was his lucky day after all as he fell on someone who let out a muffled cry. Ephraim could hear a sound of metal hitting the pavement followed by short screams of of a human man that began to be weaker and weaker. ”Ow...” The mixed blood brought his hand to his head and gently patted it. The ringing in his ears felt like churches' bells. Whoever was below him stopped moving, not that Eprhaim cared. All he was interested in now was if his bones were untouched and in their place.

OOCI hope it's ok ^^ I assumed there is someone creeping on her, a bandit or a robber and Eph kind of ...fell on him. XD

[Aello]

There was someone coming towards her; a man with dark hair, clothed only in black. A long cape that rippled behind him, gently in the wind, like the waves of the sea. Must be another street rat, Aello thought, as she turned herself around in time to see a screaming man fall off the roof and onto her assailant. He seemed to land with a muffled thud, and Aello winced. That has got to hurt, she thought, as she strode towards the two men, pulling her dagger out of concealment as she walked. Her right hand curled around the hilt of the blade, its bloodied edge pointed behind her. The silver seemed to sparkle, while the crimson red and dried, dark brown blood glowed, even in the lack of sunlight. The blade was so very cold. Aello reached them within a few strides, and simply stared down at the heap of aching and moaning men. Her right brow raised into a high arch, finding this all so very amusing, and out of place within the city streets. One dark-haired man groaning in pain, his face bloody... and a fool who thought he may sprout wings should he leap off the tops of enough buildings. As she stared, she began to feel; she saw no colors as she typically did; but she knew that what her mind whispered was true. The one on the bottom of the pile thought he could slit your throat as you were meditating and take your things... he is nothing more than a street rat. A lonely one at that... his heart is so very, very empty. There was a slight pause, unlike you, he does not delve into the magical arts. A slim smile crossed Aello's lips as she got onto her knees in front of the two men, her grip tightening around the hilt of the blade; her knuckles turning red from the pressure she was exerting. Slowly, Aello extended her left hand towards the street rat, and reached for a handful of his hair. When she felt a clump of the greasy mess slither through her pale fingers, she clamped them shut and pulled upwards, until he could face her. The one on top of him didn't mean to fall... he was running from something. He doesn't seem to mean you any harm, and even if he did, he is still recovering from the fall... lucky for him the street rat was there to break it. The man's eyes were a deep blue, just like the hypnotists she had destroyed so many moons ago. A sudden burst of fear made itself into Aello's eyes, before she pushed it away; to be replaced by a look of sheer amusement and anger. She held her right hand down at her side, the tip of her blade pressing into the road as she lifted the man's head a little higher. "And just what were you thinking of doing street rat?" Aello asked, her tone sounding rather playful, although it had an edge of ice. "Did you really think you would make your way to a woman's things, and take them so easily?" she asked, as she bent down towards him, keeping her eyes level. A sick smile was making its way across her lips. A second later, her pupils had dilated, and she looked as though she were peering past the man, as well as through him. The woman bent down, even closer to his face, and whispered, "did you forget where you were street rat?" she asked, her voice sounding as though it were wrapping around his neck, and cradling him in its arms at the same time. "Did you forget that you were in Ravok, where even the women have tricks stashed up their sleeves? Where even they carry knives... and know just how to use them?" There was a slight pause as Aello brought the dagger up and under the man's neck. She could sense him trembling under her touch... her cold hands; the icy tip of her bloodied dagger. It was buried under his Adam's apple, causing his flesh to shrink beneath it; to sweat. Aello's smile widened, if she moved it just a fraction of an inch upwards, she would free his warm, crimson red blood... "Where they know how to inflict just the right amount of fear... the right amount of pain?" she went on, her voice growing all the more cold; all the more playful. It was apparent that she saw this as nothing more than a game; a game which only she was allowed to win. He fears you will slit his throat, just as he wanted to slit yours... Fool, he should not have tried if he feared meeting the goddess so much. Surely Dira will laugh at his cowardly soul when she comes to shepherd him away to whomever wishes to claim him... Aello's heart was beginning to pound in her tiny rib cage, much like the man she now held at knife-point. "What do you say we give you a little mark to remember me by?" the girl asked, her eyes seemingly glazing over, although they never truly seemed to lose their intensity. She could feel his head moving, was he trying to shake his head no? "No... you wouldn't want to scar that pretty face of yours, would you?" Aello asked. The man shook his head again, to the best of his ability. Instantly, Aello uncoiled her fingers from the man's ratty hair. His face fell to the floor. "Very well," she said, "but I'd suggest you run... if you know what's good for you." The man didn't seem to move. "Afraid?" she asked with a chuckle, as she moved herself a half step back, and pulled her blade away from his neck, as though inviting him to move; assuming Ephraim wanted to oblige. "He shouldn't harm us now," she commented to him, as though by means of reassurance. OOCSorry a lot of this assumes you can't get up... and his existence is totally fine... Aello always likes a new guy to intimidate >.< Oh... I should have mentioned, she's pretty crazy.

[Ephraim]

1st day of Summer, 511 AV That...hurt. For few good moments it was the only feeling, burning through his body. Ephraim groaned loudly. The sound of bells in his head were still ringing, he could feel blood in his mouth, most likely from a bitten tongue. ”Ssshit.” He muttered, with eyes still closed. Suddenly he felt someone pushed him away and the half-blood landed on the ground face down. Dirt and sand found their way into his mouth, causing a violent cough. Ephraim was spitting blood mixed with saliva and sand..There was a voice; woman's voice. He landed on a girl? Maybe it all wasn't so ba....The half-Dhani looked up and saw a small, female frame digging what looked like a knife in the man's throat. ”Uhhmm...” Eph started but stopped seeing the girl's expression in the faint starlight. She looked like a crazy witch from a story his mother had told him long ago. Ephraim couldn't see the man's face but could hear a small whimper when the blade touched his skin. The young mixed blood suddenly feel like he crashed a very wrong party now. With still aching body, Eph slowly rose to his knees and leaned against a wooden wall, breathing heavily. His lungs burned like the air was made of boiling lava. Hopefully no ribs were broken and his lungs were still whole. He watched the spectacle with not so much as fear but a sick fascination. There was something disturbing in the way she smiled. Such wickedness caused a dissonance with rather pretty face and small body. Like something was living in her, in this confined space of small, seemingly human body. Or...Maybe he just hit his head too hard. He gently patted his skull but everything seemed to be on place. It had been some time since he had fallen so badly. If not for the poor bastard he would most likely be dead or gravely wounded. Eph's golden eyes returned to the man who became his unintentional pillow and the becoming to feel really bad for him. He didn't know who this girl was or what she was planning to do but from what Ephraim gathered, she was a trouble. The young half-Dhani decided the best course of action would be to just slip away before she would get bored of the other man. It didn't really came through to him he saved the girl from being robbed or worse. Not that he would ever save someone selflessly. There was no selfless acts in Ravok, you really had to be out of your mind to risk your life for a stranger. Though no doubtingly such idiots were walking around, Eph was not one of them. He fully expected the woman to kill her potential attacker; hell he would kill the man with no blink of his eyes when he was creeping upon him with a knife, but the crazy girl apparently was letting him go. Eph tried to get up and even managed to do it with some help from the wooden wall. ”You are sssparing hisss life? How generousss of you.” The half-blood chuckled, letting some more blood to trickle down his chin. He wiped it with a back of his sleeve. Eph didn't even bother to mask his sibilant accent. In the dark alleyways you didn't have to pretend to be something more than you were. Sometimes it helped; people were afraid of Dhani, this predatory species that could swallow you whole if you weren't careful. Eph couldn't, though it didn't stop him from piggybacking on the reputation. He pondered leaving now, but he was still dizzy from a fall so it was better to play nice with the girl to keep her knife away. Oddly enough he wasn't scared; a bit taken aback but not intimidated. Maybe because he himself was not someone you could call a normal Ravok citizen – a company of other oddballs was not something he would be dreaded of. Half of a time it was these weird screw ups that were nice to him, forgetting his background.

OOCYour answer was great, no worries

[Aello]

Aello glanced up at the man who had fallen on top of her assailant. He's a half blood, part snake... it explains the accent. There was a slight pause, he hurt himself pretty badly during the fall, and will not find the strength to get very far for quite some time. A small smile crossed Aello's lips as she turned back to the street rat, this was growing to be a rather amusing day. "Generous? No, not quite half blood," Aello began, the tone of her voice betraying the mounting level of her amusement. It seemed to wind around the men's necks like a snake; or perhaps it was throwing a blanket over them; sheltering them from the elements, and the harsh nature of Ravok. "The street rat will run now, if he knows what is good for him... won't he?" she went on, the words spilling from between her pale pink lips, and slithering around the man's body. His eyes seemed so very full of fear now, as though he wanted to run, but could not find the strength to flee. "Are you afraid street rat?" Aello asked, "that I will change my mind, and cease to be as generous as the mixed blood suggests?" There seemed to be a flicker in the man's eyes, he seemed to be saying yes. "Well you should be... you should have run by now, isn't that right half blood? If you wanted to live... " Aello slowly brought herself to her feet as the thief brought his arms out to the side. "Do you need a hand? Or can you get your filthy self up and off the floor?" Aello asked as she moved a step closer. "Unless, you'd rather be put out of your misery... for that can be arranged. We could always dig you deeper into the floor." The man shook his head vigorously, causing several slender streams of crimson red blood to pour down the sides of his face; down his neck. He was just getting himself onto his knees when Aello spoke again, "then run." Her voice was curt, so very cold; angry. "And don't so much as consider showing your face; for the next time you are seen, I will not hesitate to slit your throat, is that understood?" she inquired, her eyes blazing with an inner flame that threatened to consume all of those who were near. The man nodded as he sprang to his feet. His legs were trembling, and Aello could tell that he was having trouble drawing his next breath, that his heart was pounding in his rib cage; begging to be set free. "Run!" Aello hissed, as the man turned on his heels and booked it out of the alley, nearly stumbling from his fear, and excessive loss of blood. He left a trail behind him. Several drops of red blood; still fresh with the scent of fear. As Aello watched him go, her smile widened. What a sad excuse for a human being. Can't even finish off such a simple job... a woman who had her back turned. Her eyes were glistening now, and now he has run from someone not all that intimidating. After all, there is always something darker walking the streets. When he was out of sight, Aello turned to Ephraim. "You are not opposed to how he was dealt with, are you mixed blood?" Aello asked, as she took a step closer to him. "How he was forced to run for his pitiful life?" There was a slight pause as Aello's eyes passed up and down the Ephraim's body. Well isn't he a pitiful sight? she thought, before considering the fact that he had just fallen off a roof may have had something to do with it. "You would have done the same, wouldn't you? If someone tried to take what was yours?" Aello asked. No, he would have slit his throat. "Or worse... you ignore the soft spot in your soul. The kinder portions of your heart; you aren't one for mercy, are you half blood?" There was a slight pause. "In fact, there are probably more ways than one in which you relate to that man..." Aello continued, tilting her head slightly to the side, so that her long brown hair tumbled off her shoulders. "You were forced to run from something too. Something was after you... the thrill of the chase, or perhaps the fear of it still lingers in the corners of your eyes." Aello's eyes sparkled as her grip tightened around the hilt of the blade, perhaps his blood is worth spilling... OOCI probably should have mentioned this before. Aello uses auristics, and thus, she is able to pick up on a lot of things neither you or the thief mentioned. I hope you don't mind my sending him on his way... Aello wouldn't tolerate the guy anymore. >.<

[Ephraim]

1st day of Summer, 511 AV This woman was a trouble...Woman, heh. A girl not much older, maybe even his age. Small, but with shape, thought all her prettiness was ruined by the way she smiled at him. It was not a pleasant nor friendly. Ephraim responded with his own, sneering chuckle. ”How cute, human. You are letting the scum that wanted to kill you live. Few times more and I may start believing in gods again.” He looked at the trembling man, weak and broken. In Ravok it was as good as being dead. Eph tried to stand straight. The pain was slowly subsiding, meaning these were only few bruises like he had many. No internal injuries or broken bones...At least he hoped so. As the woman spoke, Ephraim tried to move his limbs and neck to make sure everything was in place. ”You sssure like the sssound of your voicsse.” The half-Dhani commented with eyes . He didn't like how she called him by his race, it was something Eph minded. The woman indeed seemed to like to talk and the manner of her speaking was unsettling . Everything about her was in all honesty. Eph watched the scene with a growing amusement. The time when he would be in distress or felt distaste at something like this long since had passed. The man finally was standing, apparently Ephraim's fall hadn't done him much harm. Shame...There could be some loot. The half-blood entertained a thought of slitting the man's throat and robing his lifeless body but before Eph's aching muscles let him take a step, the human was gone. The half-Dhani watched with anger the running man. He hissed in frustration and turned to the strange woman who was now looking directly at him. It made him feel uncomfortable. Her eyes had some strange hidden fire or maybe it was only a moonlight reflecting in them. You would have done the same, wouldn't you? If someone tried to take what was yours?" “ Eph snickered and wanted to answer that he would probably do more than that but the woman was faster. "Or worse... you ignore the soft spot in your soul. The kinder portions of your heart; you aren't one for mercy, are you half blood?" Eph's anger flared, showing in his golden eyes. ”Maybe you look too hard, human.” His response was cold and harsh, the last word spat like an insult. The woman cocked her head like a curious bird, Ephraim mirrored her gesture, letting his hood fall from his fuzzy hair. He refused to admit he was less than human, because in here, in Ravok being something of other species meant you were of the lesser rung and Eph didn't like to be reminded of that. "You were forced to run from something too. Something was after you... the thrill of the chase, or perhaps the fear of it still lingers in the corners of your eyes." Eph blinked, surprised he had given so much away. No...she couldn't have known this. Was this some kind of a trick? Magic? Witch? The half-breed took a step back, surprise and restatement vividly present on his features. Involuntarily he took a defensive stance and hissed. There was something about magic that put him off. It was not normal...Unnatural. One might argue that Eph himself was a sort of a freak, but it didn't stop him from being afraid of other freaks. Maybe the girl just guessed it...Deduced. Or followed him? No, impossible.”You don't sssay...” He took another step back with eyes narrowed and nostrils flaring.

OOCAll is good (: Though Eph migh kill him in next post so you saved his life!

[Aello]

Aello's smile widened, you are making him angry. He does not like when you refer to his true nature, her mind whispered in her ear. The words swirling about, winding themselves around her lips so that she may use them against him. Cut Ephraim like a blade. Her eyes sparkled. "Testy, testy half blood... not one to appreciate being exposed for what you truly are," Aello went on, her voice growing lower, dancing around him. It was toying with him, tugging at him, begging him to so much as try to strike its mistress out of sheer rage. It's so much fun to see a man when he is angry... Aello mused, but all the better to beat him in a fight... to bloody him up; just a little bit. Remind him, who is boss... Aello watched as Ephraim took a step back and hissed. A true snake at heart, Aello mused, as he pulled his hood back, allowing her to drink in his features. His messy, short black hair; his golden-tinged skin. His bright yellow eyes; more than likely a trait from his father. "Well aren't you a little difficult on the eyes?" Aello whispered as her mind's voice made its way into her ears. The half blood is starting to believe that you are using magic; he hates it. He mistrusts you... finds magic unnatural. It may not be long before he springs for you. Aello's smile widened, so the half blood was beginning to catch on, she was using magic. Aello's heart began to beat faster and faster, pounding against her rib cage like a drum. She could feel adrenaline beginning to course through her veins, tiny bubbles against her flesh, a pulsing beneath her skin. A new life, an awakening of something other than the heart. "Are you afraid half blood?" Aello asked, as she took a step forward, and bent her arms at her elbows. A moment later, she had brought her arms forward, so that they were stationed in a position approximately eight inches in front of her. As though she were getting ready to punch someone; but the dagger had gotten in the way of her right hand. Her fingers pressed into the blade; growing hot, and salty with sweat. She could feel the cold, bloodied metal tip pressing into the flesh just below her elbow. If he wants to come... he should come... Slowly, Aello bent her knees, and fell into a crouch. "Do you wish to run as he did? Or attempt to fight the one who spared his pitiful life?" she asked, her voice cold, her eyes blazing. "On the off chance you win, you may have everything but the dagger. For that, half blood, never leaves my side." OOCOhh Ephraim... if only you hadn't hissed, then perhaps Aello would not wish to fight you.

[Ephraim]

1st day of Summer, 511 AV Ephraim's eyes flashed with anger and his features twisted in a snarl. ”It's not to up the likesss of you to talk about who I am.” There was a hidden threat in his words and an insult . Not that Eph thought of himself as better in any sense, on the contrary, but that woman knew exactly which spot to hit to make the young half-breed 's heart race faster and not in a good way. She now looked more like predator than him, when watching over his now exposed features. Ephraim's body tensed, but there was no disgust on her face, but more of a bemused expression...That was even worse. Eph's breathing increased, as his anger rose. ”You are not much to look at yourssself.” He hissed, preparing at the incoming attack. The air around them felt to Eph like a thick veil, he could feel a rush of adrenaline washing through his body. Ever since the fight that almost cost his life. Still not enough to assess his chances well but at least he didn't feel that bad about escaping. The girl was small, petite, yet the way she was holding her dagger in a fashion that spoke of skill. Eph only had his crossbow and fists. [color]”Afraid..of you?” He asked mockingly and smirked. Truth be told he was scared; if the girl was truly a magic user or something more odd, Eph had little means to fight her. The way she moved her blade down to her flesh made Ephraim to shudder. A small vut dropped some blood on the tip of the dagger. Maybe it was some kind of magic? A ritual. Eph made another step back, the ground was slowly ending for him, leading straight to the water. As many Ravokians Eph could swim, but most likely the girl could to. There it was, the challenge. The girl shifted her body and took the step closer. As her twin in the mirror Ephraim took the step back. Salty droplets began to move down his skin. The blade flashed in a moonlight, catching Eph's attention. There was something very sinister about this girl. Something the young half-breed didn't really like. Eph shot a gaze at the other side of the canal. The water was calm, still and there was a boat rocking on it. His body was still aching from a fall but not the first time and not the last. Maybe I can do both.” His lips curled into a smile, but eyes remained ice cold. Two golden orbs gazing at Eph's opponent. Some would deem her as not someone dangerous but if you believed in what you saw, then gods have mercy on your soul. Maybe she was some kind of a shape shifting monster, maybe a witch of great power or master of blades. He could feel his muscles tensing, reading themselves to make use of Eph's skills in free running. Suddenly the half-breed turned around and jumped b from the artificial shore, trying to land on the rocking boat. Ephraim tried to catch balance and immediately jump to face the girl. His left leg was being torn with burning pain and nasty cramp. ” Can you follow?” He snarled at his opponent and reached to close his long fingers at the crossbow. Even if he wouldn't have time to shoot, it could still be used as a bashing tool.

OOCIf I did too much with this jumping I can always edit

[Aello]

"Walking away are you snake?" Aello asked, her tone highly amused; playful, yet cold. "You know you cannot win, don't you? So you are retreating, like a mangy mutt with its tail caught in-between its legs." There was a slight pause, "go on, keep walking. Keep stepping away, only to be backed into a wall... all the more easy to kill. Although, that's not all that much fun," the girl mused. "Not any fun at all... no... the first idea was better. You should run, and be chased. How does that sound? Fun for you and fun for me, does it not?" Aello asked, her eyes flashing menacingly, her voice winding itself around Ephraim's flesh; doing its best to get him out of his corner, to get him to run, so Aello could get her blood flowing. So Aello could enjoy a little hunt; a violent game of chess... Seconds later, the half-blood was running from Aello, and her wicked grin widened. "Why follow when you may be destroyed from where one stands?" the girl asked, as she returned her dagger to its proper place, and then turned to her belongings. Aello bent to meet them, and a moment later, her left hand had found its way to the grip of her father's old bow. She lifted it, and strode over to the edge of the water. As she did so, she twisted her father's bow so that it ran horizontally, across her body, as opposed to vertically. She reached her right hand over her shoulder, and pulled an arrow from her quiver. It was fletched by raven's feathers. Aello held the arrow delicately between her fingertips, and as swiftly as she could, laced the nock onto the serving of the bow. When she heard it click, Aello knew the arrow had taken and wrapped the three middle fingers of her right hand around the arrow. The two on the top above, and the other one below. Aello's left foot was placed in the forward position. It was pointed straight ahead, at Ephraim. The right foot was positioned about one foot behind the left. Her toes were pointed outwards, and away from her body, to the right. Together, her feet formed a ninety degree angle. Gently, she turned her body from the waist up, so that it was pointed in the same direction as her right foot. In the end, her stance was similar to one may take when fencing. As she perfected her stance, Aello pulled the bowstring back, so that it stretched slightly farther back than her right ear. The string dug into her pale fingertips, causing them to ache, and grow red. But it was worth it, hitting her target would be worth all the pain the string could cause her. Aello closed her left eye, and raised her bow a little higher. She began sighting down the length of her arrow. The feathers tickling her fingers as she waited to find the proper positioning. Just a little to the left and you should be fine, she told herself, as she moved the bow a bit. She was aiming for his left foot. If she made her mark, it would serve as a reminder that she was not someone you could run away from... After a few seconds, Aello let go of the bowstring. The arrow erupted out of the string sending it into a series of rapid vibrations, that produced a low humming sound. The string whacked the girl's left arm, in-between her elbow and her wrist; causing it to sting. But the young spiritist ignored the pain, that was normal. It was supposed to happen. Much like she was supposed to hit him... the arrow was headed straight towards him... OOCNah it was fine... but running will not save you from her wrath! Mwahahahahhaha!

[Ephraim]

1st day of Summer, 511 AV She was crazy...Must have been. Ephraim listened to her speech, like it was some kind of sick get off for her. The mixed blood had met a lot of disturbed people in Ravok, in truth he was not the healthiest himself with his personality disturbed on many levels, but this girl had something really bod going under those brown hair of hers. Eph got a lot of being called 'a freak', due to his heritage, behavior, roof jumping although he always suspected humans could be much worse crazies when it came to it. His yellow eyes were locked on the girl as he was coming closer and closer with a menacing dagger shining in the moonlight. His heart was racing like a running rabbit, he could feel it hitting the ribcage like a hammer. His hands were soaked with sweat and the crossbow's handle was escaping his grip. Eph thought he got an advantage here; that she wouldn't get him here. He didn't notice a bow, his first mistake. The half-breed's eyes widened when with amazing grace and speed, the girl took her bow. The last thing he could hear was the faint sound of arrow being released. The mixed blood yelped with a surprise and dived into the water below him. Too slow, the arrow caught his left foot. Eph screamed sharply, feeling the explosion of pain in his appendage as he was hitting the cold water below. His foot felt like it went numb but Ephraim didn't focus on that, instead on not drowning. His body tensed under the sudden biting, chilly liquid. He twisted his body and pushed himself toward surface, spitting water like a wet cat and hissing angrily. The foot was now not numb but was burning with a living fire. It was summer, to Ephraim's luck and the water was not very cold but enough to make his wound pain even more. ”Fine, you win. You win.” The mixed blood called out, still spitting droplets of water. It tasted like slime and fish. ”Crazy bitch.” He added wordlessly so she couldn't hear. He was more than likely trapped with this weird, dangerous girl. For a brief moment he pondered swimming under the alleyway, but it would give more than enough time to shoot him in the head so for now Eph decided to float, clenching his teeth from pain. He couldn't see but was pretty sure that the water around him took pinkish color from all the blood sipping from his foot. Every move was setting his nerves ablaze. Oddly enough he wasn't scared, not like he would be normally. Slowly Eph began to get used to life threatening situations in Ravok and keeping his calm under the stress. Unfortunately the changeable, moody being as he was, Ephraim would be sick from the anxiety for the next few days after the fact. For now, the half-breed's face was tensed but rather impassive, waiting for his opponent next move.

OOCPoor Eph's snakey foot D: